7th Annual REGENT PARK FILM FESTIVAL

November 4th-7th, 2009
www.regentparkfilmfestival.com

Media: Shelley Wine, 416.419.2111, shellw@rogers.com



PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release – October 21/09



“REEL IMAGES. REAL COMMUNITIES” … Toronto’s Only Free-of-Charge Community-Based International Film Festival … bringing the world home to a culturally diverse, historically rich local community

October 20, 2009 – Think globally act locally? … November 4th to 7th, Regent Park Film Festival (RPFF) offers 76 films from around the world to a neighborhood of people rarely exposed to independent, foreign, animation, shorts, experimental, documentary, or even Canadian films, much less films (such as those within this year’s line-up) touching on themes of: differences and solidarity, immigrant experiences, inner-city issues, cultural identity and multicultural relationships. Introducing Regent Park community stories to the larger GTA audience, RPFF is very proud to be continuing its tradition of showcasing films made by and about local Regent Park residents, including films made by emerging, talented youth filmmakers overcoming the limited creative opportunities available to them as Regent Park residents, creating riveting insider portrayals of life within this famed urban housing development (Canada’ s oldest and largest public housing project currently being torn down in a 12-year revitalization/relocation mega-project.) All screenings/panels held at Nelson Mandela Public School, 440 Shuter Street, with 20+ local and international filmmakers enlivening their films for festival audiences.

Highlights [from our 16 Festival Programs] include:
OPENING NIGHT [NOV 4th@ 6 pm] – films by Regent Park and other youth focusing on themes of hope, identity, and immigration. Youth ‘talk back’ panel discussion with filmmakers to follow screenings.
UNKNOWN HISTORIES [NOV 7th @5 pm] – films spanning racist immigration policies to homophobic practices in both Canada and abroad. Local luminaries Ali Kazimi and John Greyson to introduce their recent film Rex vs. Singh exploring how racism and homophobia intersected in Vancouver circa 1900. Director Dana Inkster to present “24 Days in Brooks” documenting a 24-day strike at Lakeside Packers, one of the world’s largest slaughterhouses Located in tiny Brooks, Alberta, a once homogenous white town, now one of the most ethnically diverse places in Canada.
DISPLACEMENT PROGRAM [NOV 7th@ 1 pm] – Displacement is a particularly hot local issue. Building 173 takes viewers behind closed doors into an apartment building in downtown Shanghai. Pelq’lic (Coming Home), (directors Celia Haig-Brown & Helen Haig-Brown in attendance) examines residential school survivor’s creative initiatives to renew their culture. Followed by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre hosted discussion.
SCHOOL PROGRAM – Matinee films for 1200+ Grade 1-8 students from 12 neighbouring schools. Themes of difference, racial diversity, bullying, gender identity, poverty and health, all relevant to youth.
FAMILY PROGRAM [Nov. 7th@ 10 am] – co-produced by RPFF and Upper Canada College, films made by Horizons Summer Program of academically talented, inner-city students grades 7-9. Free pancakes!
FEATURE PROGRAM [Nov. 5th@7:30 pm] The legacy of racism, assimilation and empowerment for Canada’s First Nations peoples explored in The Experimental Eskimos with Director Barry Greenwald attending.
CLOSING NIGHT [Nov. 7th@ 7:30pm] In Alwyn, an extraordinary young Guyanese-Canadian filmmaker changes viewers perception of his Jane-Finch neighborhood by documenting his battle with colon cancer at age 17; a fundraising event with producer (the late director’s sister) attending. Oscar-nominated director Hubert Davis’ award-winning feature film Invisible City follows depicting how two very different Regent Park boys make sense of their lives as they struggle to move into adulthood. These remarkable films will be followed by a spoken word performance by Mustafa Ahmed, a 12-year old local resident, and the presentation of Humber College’s $500 prize for “Audience Choice Award” (Best Film Made by a Youth).