Guelph International Film Festival Returns

From Arts in Guelph- September/October, 2003

by Anna Contini

After a 12-year hiatus, the Guelph International Film Festival is back. The three-day event taking place October 17 to 19 is being hosted by the Guelph International Resource Centre (GIRC). It will feature films and documentaries from around the world in addition to video workshops, panel discussions and children's flicks.

One of the primary goals of the festival is "to give voice to people we don't normally hear from," says Dawn Matheson, who has been hired by GIRC to co-ordinate the project. Many of the films and videos deal with global issues and community development, themes that are very much in keeping with GIRC's focus. Because video technology has changed so radically over the past decade, developing countries are now making their own films. This has given voice to specialized groups such as Mexican farmers and women weavers in Brazil, says Matheson.

A major coup for the festival this year is the acquisition of 37 videos from Vancouver Island's World Community Film Festival. Many of these will be screened throughout Saturday and Sunday afternoon at various restaurants, coffee shops and bars in Guelph. Café Aquarius will screen a special selection of films for children and youth. Admission to any of the afternoon screenings will be a very affordable $5!

The Gala events will take place on the evenings of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Old Quebec Street has been chosen as the venue for opening night which will feature a film, world music, food and a lively, party atmosphere. On Saturday evening two more films will be screened at the same venue which can accommodate up to 800 people! On Sunday the festivities move on to the Bookshelf for a matinee and evening gala screening. These films have been acquired through the Toronto International Film Festival.

Another highlight of the Guelph festival will be a video workshop that is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon at Ed Video. The fact that the festival coincides with the Guelph Studio Tour has provided a further opportunity to forge a community partnership. Throughout the weekend the Barber Gallery will screen a loop of short films by Mary Cross, among its exhibition of visual arts.

Matheson is delighted with the degree of co-operation that has taken place both within the community and beyond. A great deal of collaboration has also transpired within the film industry, "allowing us to have access to numerous top-notch films and videos," she explains.

The Guelph International Film Festival began in 1984 as a partnership between GIRC and the University of Guelph's Centre for International Programs. Films from all over the globe came to Guelph and the festival was an instant success. In 2003, this popular fall weekend event is being welcomed back with open arms.

This year's festival is also much anticipated in the light of recent world events and censorship of media. While many of the films are considered mainstream in their own countries, here they could be classified as alternative, offering a very different perspective. As such they can serve as a stimulus for discussion about a wide variety of global issues.

As the saying goes: "absence makes the heart grow fonder." A warm welcome back to the Guelph International Film Festival. You've been missed!

For more information about events and prices, please contact the Guelph International Resource Centre at (519) 822-3110 or visit www.guelphfilmfest.org.