The 2nd annual Wild Lands Film Festival runs this upcoming October 9th and 10th at downtown Owen Sound's Historic Roxy Theatre, showcasing local and regional films, video art, documentaries and animations.
Last year, the infant fest garnered a substantial audience and generous community support. Again hosted by noted media critic, author, and Globe and Mail film critic, Geoff Pevere, the organizers have opted to expand the Wild Lands event to cater to a larger, more diverse audience.
On Friday night - the festival will premiere a riveting documentary film as the opening gala event. "How to Change the World" chronicles the not-so-humble rise of Greenpeace and follows its global environmental activist movement that helped spark a 'green' revolution.
As a special presentation, the WLFF will set up shop in the newly unveiled Heartwood Concert Hall to screen "Montage of Heck", a pseudo-fantasy documentary based on the life of Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. Joining us will be Canadian author Lynn Crosbie who has just published, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," It's a story about a young girl who dreams she has an affair with the late Cobain. Crosbie will take part in a Q&A with Pevere, and give a short book reading. Copies of Lynn's book will be available during the festival.
Saturday night - our crowd favourite Shorts programme is back. Newly appointed joint Owen Sound Poets Laureate, Larry Jensen and Rob Rolfe will open the local programme with a few words. A number of awards will be given out following a People's Choice style judging survey.
Throughout the festival, patrons will be able to enjoy a collaboration craft beer made by Kilannan Brewing Co., and Tobermory Brewing Co. and Grill - made specifically for the festival. Wild Lands Mild Oxymoron Ale will be available at the Roxy Theatre, as well as Casero Kitchen Table, who will host an after-party following the closing ceremony Saturday evening.
The festival will be catered by Guelph pizza troupe, Those Pizza Guys - a mobile wood-fired pizza crew who will be crafting made-to-order personal pizzas with local, organic, non-GMO veggies and toppings generously donated by the Barn Co-operative Network in Meaford. TPG will be set up in the Mix 106.5 parking lot, across from the Roxy for the entirety of the festival.
The Wild Lands Film Festival is dedicated to helping Owen Sound and Grey Bruce cement itself as an emerging and engaged film hub of the near-north. The festival serves to benefit the community by including local businesses, artists and entrepreneurs in a thought-provoking, and professional annual event.
Tickets are available at roxytheatre.ca/wild-lands-film-festival-2 and at the Roxy box office in Owen Sound for $20/night, or $35/festival. Tickets for the matinee Heartwood event on Saturday afternoon will be available for $5 at the door.
