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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- Alt Hotel (Indigo Cyan Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's
- Canada
Celebrate a successful week with us at our Festival Wrap party at the Alt Hotel. Everyone’s welcome!
No ticket required. 19+, cash bar.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Scotiabank Theatres (Avalon Mall)
- 48 Kenmount Road
- St. John's, NL, A1B 1W3
- Canada
The festival closes with a powerful, gorgeously shot story of loss and hope. Indeed, the story is by now familiar to anyone who reads the headlines. It focuses on the disappearance of a young woman who vanishes one day from her small Mohawk community. Director/writer Sonia Bonspille Boileau transforms those headlines into a compelling drama about a search for truth. By humanizing the otherwise grim themes of missing Indigenous women, she brings us directly into the heart and soul of a community, and specifically into the troubled relationship of the survivors. Ivy is the 8-year-old who embarks on a journey with her impatient but defiant mother, Susan, to find her sister, and so it is that much of the film is seen from Ivy’s perspective. How does a child process such loss? What does the future hold for her and her community in light of such tragedy? This is such a strong, wonderful story, well told and well framed to imagine the love and possibility that can flow from tough times.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
What does it take to break through to the next level? Brave and innovative filmmakers share what prompted them to leap into new, key creative roles, move from making shorts to their first feature, and explore new formats of content creation.
Featuring Winnifred Jong (Coroner), Joyce Wong (Baroness von Sketch Show) and Melanie Oates (Body and Bones).
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Join us to watch a stellar new collection of local and international short films, introduced by featured guest filmmakers.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
- Rocket Bakery (Rocket Room, Third Floor)
- 272 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 1B7
- Canada
Join some of the team behind our Festival’s closing night feature, Rustic Oracle, for an intimate lunch panel where you will hear about the making of the film, redefining distribution, and how the team has strategized to reach key audiences.
Featuring Sonia Boileau (director), Marylou Mintram (7th SCREEN), and more to be announced.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Join us to watch a stellar new collection of local and international short films, introduced by featured guest filmmakers.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
Meet the filmmakers behind the camera of some of the industry’s most compelling documentaries. Learn how documentaries can be used to entertain, educate, effect social change, and serve as a form of activism.
Featuring Alison Duke (Mr. Jane and Finch), Tiffany Hsiung (The Apology), and Tamara Segura (Becoming Labrador).
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Sunday, October 20, 2019, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM
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Sat, Oct 19, 2019, 10:30 PM – Sun, Oct 20, 2019, 2:00 AM
- The Blacksheep on Water
- 164 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 1A9
- Canada
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Wow—this is some fine first feature from local director Oates. Tess is a young woman with a familiar urge to get out of (small) town (Newfoundland). Long infatuated with the musical aura of local bad boy Danny Sharpe, she gets to live out her fantasy when Danny himself returns to town after a twenty-year absence. Joel Hynes plays Danny with deadly persuasive realism. Why you’d think Joel were a bad boy himself! And Kelly Van Der Burg plays Tess with an almost painfully accurate mixture of longing and insecurity. When the action shifts to the dirty ol’ bigger town, Tess is forced to see the world as a less welcoming experience than she ever imagined. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll applaud like mad. We are so proud to be showcasing this well-made drama and all the excellent talent on and off the screen. Brava Melanie and all your terrific cast and crew!
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria St.
- St. John's, NL A1C 3V2
- Canada
It is hard not to gush over the brilliance of this production. The title suggests a kind of poetry at work here, as the camera slowly, steadily, patiently follows a chance encounter between two Indigenous women. One is an abused pregnant woman; the other is none of these things. There is an obvious cinema verité approach to filmmaking happening on view, as if the camera were a respectful third presence, eavesdropping on the two women and their evolving dynamic in real time. Not much happens, yet everything is happening in the slow revelation of character. And in that slow revelation we come to appreciate the thick layers of colonial history, dark social forces, and the ongoing domestic pressures that shape the way these two women relate not to only to each other but to the world in general. The performances are uncannily strong, the dialogue spare but portentous, and the mood is suspenseful, expectant, redolent with meaning. Filmmakers Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers have pulled off an extraordinary achievement, one we will be hearing a lot more about, to be sure.
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
This year, Canadian performers are shining the spotlight on Newfoundland-based ACTRA member and SJIWFF Co-founder/Chair, Noreen Golfman by naming her the 2019 ACTRA National Woman of the Year! Celebrate Noreen’s artistic and advocacy achievements and meet the team behind ACTRA at this industry reception.
No ticket required- show your Festival/Delegate Pass.
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
Join us for a candid panel with some of the country’s top comedians and hear them discuss the trajectory of their careers, making work for themselves, and the business of being funny.
Featuring Dani Kind (Workin’ Moms), Jennifer Robertson (Schitt’s Creek) and Teresa Pavlinek (The Jane Show).
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria St.
- St. John's, NL A1C 3V2
- Canada
The NFB is really bringing it to our festival this year. This feature documentary is an absolutely wonderful cultural experience, a moving and highly watchable look at the challenges of being Filipino in Labrador. A growing number of such workers have migrated to Happy Valley-Goose Bay for new opportunities. This film follows a bunch of these folks as they deal with homesickness, punishing cold, and the strange sparseness of the Big Land—not to mention the absence of adobo, sisig, and pata. But never mind, these bright, aspiring people are adjusting in one way or another, and in so doing are also changing the way Labradorians see themselves. In opening their hearts so generously to the camera they give us so much optimism and inspiration about the future. This really is an object lesson in cultural integration—relevant, poignant, and, above all, hopeful. Should be required viewing for the whole wide troubled world.
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
- Quidi Vidi Village Plantation
- 10 Maple View Road
- St. John's, NL, A1A 5W2
- Canada
From thriller, horror, sci-fi, to fantasy, the ever-growing popularity of genre films is being celebrated by filmmakers and audiences alike across the world. Featured guests offer a better understanding of this unique market, storytelling styles, and how to break the rules!
Featuring Karen Lam (Evangeline), Jordan Hall (Carmilla) and Lindsay Peters (Fantasia Festival/Frontières Market).
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Join us to watch a stellar new collection of local and international short films, introduced by featured guest filmmakers.
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
As Canadian television is finding more success in other markets, the international spotlight is increasingly shining on our homegrown talent. Hear about the business of broadcasting with a new generation of directors who are taking over television.
Featuring Jordan Canning (Schitt’s Creek), Sherren Lee (Hudson and Rex) and more to be announced.
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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria St.
- St. John's, NL A1C 3V2
- Canada
We just adore this hugely entertaining doc that follows four pre-teeners in their quest to perform in Montreal’s Pride celebration. These youngsters are both just like everyone else and so not the case. They are often giddy and emotional; they crave sugar, and get annoyed by their amazingly supportive parents, but they are also somewhat excluded by their peers for preferring to perform in drag above all things, and have to take some punches for such preferences. They are also as different from each other as RuPaul is from Dame Edith. Overall, this film is really upbeat, focussing on the rigorous rehearsals required to make the Montreal scene, and the agonizing decisions that need to be made about hair, make-up, and dress. There’s a lot to free the spirit here, but make sure your Nan is accompanied by a youngster if she wants to see this wonderful, exuberant example of gender fluidity.
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Join us to watch a stellar new collection of local and international short films, introduced by featured guest filmmakers.
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Alt Hotel (Indigo Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
Make your 15 minutes count! Apply for the opportunity to have a one-on-one meeting with some of the biggest broadcasters, funders, producers, and distributors in the business. Introduce your project to the industry’s biggest resources who are waiting to hear your ideas for films, documentaries, television pilots, web series, new media, and interactive projects.
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
- Rocket Bakery (Rocket Room, Third Floor)
- 272 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 1B7
- Canada
It’s been said that we are currently seeing a new Golden Age of Television. Join us as some of TV’s best showrunners shed light on what it takes to make prestige television in the current landscape.
Featuring Sherry White (Little Dog), Marsha Greene (Mary Kills People), and Stephanie Morgenstern (X Company).
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
Gain insights into the creative side of producing with some of the industry’s most prolific “doers” as they talk about the future of filmmaking. Discussion topics include navigating festivals and awards season, building inclusive sets and advice for aspiring producers.
Featuring Lori Lozinski (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open), Lauren Grant (Giant Little Ones) and more to be announced.
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Friday, October 18, 2019, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria St.
- St. John's, NL A1C 3V2
- Canada
Documentary filmmaker Rama Rau turns her talent to a dramatic subject, but you can see the strong hand of the doc realist in this moving coming-of-age story. Holding our unwavering attention from opening credits to The End is Julia Sarah Stone in the title role. As an underage prostitute named Natalie, she plays her part with stunning conviction, a member of a sex trade racket run by an odious pimp boyfriend. When a sting operation blows the whole operation, Natalie is at first placed in foster care where she endures some tough rural love. But there ain’t no keeping Natalie on that farm for long. Martha Plimpton in the role of foster mom who minds Natalie also shows her acting chops to our great satisfaction. The naturalism of all the performances and the steady, certain pace of the action keep us riveted throughout.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Club One
- 33 New Gower Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X3
- Canada
We are thrilled to be partnering with the Director’s Guild of Canada to bring Visionaries to St. John’s. Featured talent behind some of the Festival’s most anticipated films and other guest industry leaders join for candid, fun and inspiring conversations. As part of CBC’s The Filmmakers roadshow, we welcome Amanda Parris to host this special event, which will stream on CBC and CBC GEM.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Scotiabank Theatres (Avalon Mall)
- 35 Thorburn Road
- St. John's, NL, A1B 3L9
- Canada
In collaboration with MUN Cinema Series, we are bringing a gorgeous debut feature drama to the festival, nothing less than a stunning visual pleasure of a story. After it premiered at Berlin earlier this year, the film has gone on to become a festival darling, and you will certainly appreciate why. First-time director Wang Lina dedicates this remarkable achievement to her hometown, Shaya, in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. She concentrates on two families, both Muslim Uyghur, who are confronting a rapidly changing nation. By focusing on change largely through the eyes of the children in the family, the director conveys a sense of how much these youngsters will inevitably be saying farewell to—their language and traditional cultural practices, for sure. The high naturalism here is simply awesome. Shot entirely in the region with amateur actors, the film is marked by an intense purity of vision. Unforgettable.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- LSPU Hall
- 3 Victoria Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3V2
- Canada
Join us to watch a stellar new collection of local and international short films, introduced by featured guest filmmakers.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Alt Hotel (Indigo Cyan Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's
- Canada
Network, celebrate, and raise a glass to the filmmakers, sponsors and supporters behind this year’s Festival. Bring your business cards and be sure to take in the stunning views of the Narrows. No ticket required- show your Festival/Delegate Pass.
Thanks to our community partners Collingwood Spirits & Wines.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
Meet representatives of the country’s biggest funding bodies and learn about programs, grants and opportunities to bring your idea to life.
Featuring representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, Telefilm, Canada Media Fund, Rogers Group of Funds, and the Harold Greenberg Fund.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- The Rooms
- 9 Bonaventure Avenue
- St. John's, NL, A1C 3Y9
- Canada
Most Townies old enough can recall that in the late Eighties we experienced a Bulgarian invasion—in the good sense of that term. Among the many artists and professionals who settled here were Luben and Elena Boykov. He sculpts, she paints, and they dramatically altered the artistic landscape of St. John’s and beyond just by showing up. This NFB feature documentary on a fascinating couple opens us up not only to their artistic process but also to the vitality and endurance of their charged relationship. This is a totally engrossing portrait of two strong-minded people many of us have come to know through the years, an intimate and engaging revelation of sorts. Even if you never met them or know their work you will want to be in their company as they talk, spar, and laugh about the journey that has taken them to this province, to Sicily, where they now reside part of the year, and to this very film. This is a visual, sensual treat you won’t want to miss.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
- Rocket Bakery (Rocket Room, Third Floor)
- 272 Water St
- St. John's, NL, A1C 1B7
- Canada
Join the team behind our Festival’s opening night feature for an intimate lunch panel where you can chat with the filmmaker and talent and discover the process, stories and secrets behind their work.
Featuring Nicole Dorsey (director) and lead actors Ella Ballentine (Jackie) and Ryan McDonald (Dennis).
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Alt Hotel (Orange Room)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's, NL, A1C 5X4
- Canada
With the mission of supporting and developing Indigenous storytellers and increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples throughout the screen industries in Canada, the Indigenous Screen Office joins us to lead a conversation around Cultural Protocols. Created for those working with Indigenous peoples, cultures and concepts, all industry stakeholders, non-Indigenous content creators, and Indigenous communities that may be involved in production are encouraged to join this session.
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Thursday, October 17, 2019, 9:00 AM – 11:29 PM
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Rec Room (Avalon Mall)
- 48 Kenmount Rd
- St. John's, NL, A1B 1W3
- Canada
Celebrate the launch of Festival week with us at The Rec Room (Avalon Mall) after our Opening Night film! Everyone’s invited, no ticket needed. Live DJ set by Yung Dumb. Hope to see you there!
19+ event. Cash bar.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Scotiabank Theatres (Avalon Mall)
- 48 Kenmount Road
- St. John's, NL, A1B 1W3
- Canada
The festival opens with an incredibly strong debut local feature by Nicole Dorsey whose talent is on full display from beginning to end. Masterful cross-cutting is the operating principle of this thrilling drama which comes to us fresh from accolades at TIFF. We follow the parallel lives of a young woman suffering from adolescent restlessness and a not-so-young man’s struggle with his demons. We know it is only a matter of time before their worlds collide. The film is an elegant study of suspense, a superbly paced exercise in character and plot development. Dorsey directs with incredible confidence. Her two leads must have felt pretty comfortable in her hands because they perform their roles with utter conviction. Shot in Newfoundland, Black Conflux captures the intimacy and attendant claustrophobia of small-town life. This is a gripping, flawlessly executed drama you will never forget.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Alt Hotel (Violet Creative Lounge)
- 125 Water Street
- St. John's
- Canada
All invited delegates must register at Industry Hub (Alt Hotel). Delegate bags, which include your Delegate Pass (needed for all events), will be at this location.
Industry Hub
Alt Hotel - Violet Creative Lounge
(125 Water Street)
Delegate Registration Hours
October 16-19: 9:00am - 4:00pm. October 20: 10:00am - 3:00pm.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM
