Over 100 movies featured at Oakville Film Festival

The 2023 Oakville Film Festival kicks off Wednesday night (June 21) with a special Opening Night Gala event for National Indigenous People’s Day.

The independent film festival, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and runs through to June 27, will pay tribute to the special day with the Canadian premier of The Beehive at the Five Drive In.

Written and directed by Red River Metis Alexander Lasheras, The Beehive tells the story of an inquisitive young girl, her angsty teenage brother, and her self-righteous father who put their family conflicts aside in the face of a pandemic alien invasion.

The Gala evening, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., will highlight Indigenous film, song and dance as well as include food and drinks, drumming, face painting, and other activities.

The event will also include a short film highlighting the work of Indigenous founder’s Jackie Labonte and Oliver Nobosin’s 101 Deweguns.

After the premier of The Beehive, which starts at approximately 9:15 p.m. depending on sunset), there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers including Lasheras and Producers Mike Johnston and Arun Fryer.

Film lovers will certainly get their fill with over 100 films, including 13 Canadian features and documentaries, in this year’s lineup.

There’s also nine other feature films and documentaries from around the world including the United Kingdom, USA, India, Germany, Ukraine, and Cambodia. Film goers will also be able to watch 79 short films from all over the world, and enjoy conversations with filmmakers and special events with some screenings.

“With over 100 films across all genres, this year’s overriding theme is fitting for the Oakville community with a focus on family and the relationships we forge with the families we are born into, those we seek and find, and those we create through community,” said film festival organizers in a media release.

In celebration of its 10^th anniversary, the Oakville Film Festival will also be offering free tickets to anyone 21 years of age and under (pending availability), to any of the festival’s screenings at Film.ca.

The festival will feature three red carpet Gala events:

• Wednesday, June 21st Opening Night Gala celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with the Canadian premiere of the indigenous film THE BEEHIVE, screening in an open-air theatre, 5 Drive-In. In partnership with Grandmother’s Voice and 101 Dewegans, and the town of Oakville, the screening will be preceded by special performances highlighting Indigenous song and dance, and guest appearances from Red River MétisWriter/Director Alexander Lasheras, as well as producers Mike Johnston and Arun Fryer, all here from BC for the Gala.
• Thursday, June 22nd’s THURSDAY NIGHT GALA RED CARPET presented by EY will screen THE YEAR OF THE DOG, showing at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, with a special movie-themed music medley performance from Intrada Brass, and powerful dance performance from Oakville’s Cydnee Abbott (Canada’s Got Talent finalist). Guests will include: Writer/Director Robert Grabow, and others from the film.
• Friday, June 23rd’s CANADIAN PREMIERE GALA RED CARPET will feature the Canadian Theatrical Premiere of the movie POLARIZED at Film.ca, attended by Writer/Director Shamim Sarif, Actors Holly Deveaux and Maxine Denis, and featuring a special vocal performance from singer/songwriter Brooke Pallson, with her husband on guitar

Nine awards will be given out by the film festival at an awards brunch on Sunday 25th June at the Argus Holiday Inn, Oakville. Virtual film festival screenings will be available until June 30.

For a full listing of the films or to purchase tickets or a pass, visit here.