NEWS RELEASE
BLUE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
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Helen du Toit, festival and artistic director for Blue Mountain Film Festival, today announced six compelling sessions for the festival’s Creative Forum, June 1 and 2.
Over two days, the forum will break down the art of comedy and creative financing, as well as offer in-depth conversations with acclaimed Canadian creators.
All sessions will feature industry-leading panellists and focus on maximizing creative potential across genres and platforms. There will be multiple opportunities to network with senior filmmakers and key decision-makers through the sessions and intimate sidebar events – all set against the natural backdrop of the Niagara Escarpment.
“This year’s Creative Forum captures the reach and prestige of Canadian creative talent,” said du Toit. “We are delighted to host some of the great successes of our industry as they share essential insights about their craft. These sessions are perfect opportunities for industry insiders and film enthusiasts to share knowledge and engage in meaningful conversations.”
Beloved comedic actors Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim's Convenience, Avatar: The Last Airbender), and Meredith MacNeill (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Pretty Hard Cases) join the forum to break down the art of comedy in Crack Me Up: The Art of the Belly Laugh.
In Case Study: Navalny. Behind-the-scenes on the way to the Oscars, Academy Award-winning director Daniel Roher in conversation with Barry Hertz, deputy arts editor and film editor at The Globe and Mail, will share how his documentary Nalvany came to life and how life changed on the heels of its stunning success.
In Quintessentially Canadian: The Making of Blackberry, director Matt Johnson and key crew join film journalist Jason Gorber (That Shelf, CBC), to discuss their acclaimed new feature BlackBerry, and how they transformed a tragic national loss into an at turns hilarious, chaotic, and ultimately wild cinematic ride for the masses.
Creative Financing will feature top producers Dan Bekerman (The Witch, Falling), Paula Devonshire (Indian Horse), and Paul Barkin (Night Raiders) discussing their bold and creative approach to international film financing.
In Forum’s Next Gen Creators Predict the Future, some of Canada’s most talented voices including director Chandler Levack (I Like Movies) share their vision for the future of cinema.
Last festival beloved writer-director Patricia Rozema led forum attendees on a magical hike Into the Forest and up the mountain, stopping periodically to share great behind the scenes stories and insider tips. This year a special guest will lead Filmmaker Hike and reveal their top tips and tricks gleaned from a distinguished career in cinema.
With Location Tips, Tour and Cider Sampling, top location manager John Rakich and Blue Mountain production liaison Marni Moreau will take guests on a special 90 min tour through the Blue Mountain region and reveal a staggering array of locations including chalet mansions, a century old countryside church, a converted barn straight out of The Dukes of Hazzard, private beach on South Georgian Bay, Clarksburg with Hindle's, and more culminating with refreshing local cider samples at Spy Cider House.
BMFF’s Creative Forum will run during the first two of the festival, taking place June 1-4. Passes and special hotel rates for the Creative Forum are available for purchase. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to book accommodations at Blue Mountain Resort early. Passes are available at Bluemtnfilmfest.ca.
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