There’s a lot more to Victoria’s annual film festival than the feature presentations. Bear in mind that tickets to what are regarded as the most popular films and events can sell out fast, so remember that “those who snooze, lose.”
Here are some highlights:
Opening gala film and reception
Feb. 1, Empire Capitol 6/Secret location. Film (Hannah Arendt): 6:45 p.m.; gala reception immediately thereafter.
Admission: $60
Mini film festival contest
Contest closes today; kiosk open until Feb. 10, Bay Centre
Admission: free.
Perks: Enter to win $1,300 in prizes, including $500 Bay Centre shopping spree
SpringBoard Event: An Insider’s Look at Gareth Edwards’ Career
Feb. 1, The Vic, Insider’s Look, 3 p.m.; screening of Monsters (2012), 5 p.m.
Details: Garth Edwards, director of Hollywood’s next Godzilla (2014), discusses his craft, screens first feature.
Admission: $25
Victoria Vision
Feb. 1-10, Centennial Square, 4-11 p.m. daily.
Details: Screenings of 10 shorts submitted by Vancouver Island youths for annual FilmCAN contest.
Admission: Free.
Empire Theatres Lounge at Yates St. Taphouse
Feb. 1-10, noon-midnight, 759 Yates St.
Details: Festival’s official social hub. Cash bar, full menu.
Rande Cook at Alcheringa Gallery
Feb. 2-10, Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Details: Work by renowned local First Nations artist whose artwork is featured in Broderick Fox’s The Skin I’m In.
Admission: free
I’ve Been Everywhere: Stories From the Road
Feb. 3-10, during mall hours, Bay Centre (second floor)
Details: Exhibit of Johnny Cash memorabilia from his former manager, the late Saul Holiff’s treasure trove, as seen in director Jonathan Holiff’s My Father and the Man in Black. Also: traveling stories and memorabilia from local performers includng Carolyn Mark and Mike Edel.
Admission: Free
Lunch Time Shorts
Feb. 4, noon (doors 11:45 a.m.), The Vic
Details: Award-winning shorts (40 minutes) and lunch.
Admission: $12
Feast & Film
Feb. 4, Spinnakers Brewpub (6:30 p.m.) and Empire Capitol 6 (9:15 p.m.)
Details: Locally sourced three-course meal; Canadian premiere of Azul Intangible.
Admission: $50
Sips ‘n’ Cinema Cocktails
Feb. 10, Empire Capitol 6 (2 p.m.) and Veneto Lounge, 653 Pandora Ave., afterwards.
Details: Screening of Magnificent Presence, followed by cocktail tasting and discussion with programmer Donovan Aikman.
Admission: $20
Sips ‘n’ Cinema Whisky
Feb. 6, Empire Capitol 6 (6:45 p.m.) and Argyle Attic, 777 Courtney St., afterwards.
Details: Screening of No, followed by whisky tasting and discussion with programmer Donovan Aikman.
Admission: $20
Wonder Woman! — Trina Robbins
Feb. 6, 2-5 p.m. Legends Comics, 633 Johnson St.
Details: Book signing, meet-and-greet with influential comic book writer and artist Trina Robbins.
Admission: free
SpringBoard Industry Workshops
The Animation, CGI and Special Effects Workshop (Scott Dewis)
The Documentary Workshop (Pat Ferns)
The Drama Workshop (Peter C. Campbell)
The Transmedia Workshop (Barbara Hager)
Into to Media (Harold Gronenthal)
Your Movie Idea and Today’s Marketplace (Ross LaManna)
Between the Buns: Gaming App Creation — Heads Up! Hot Dogs: A Case Study (Diego Garcia)
Networking Reception
For details on the above: victoriafilmfestival.com
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