VICTORIA FILM FESTIVAL
Where: Various venues, including The Vic Theatre, Odeon Theatre, and Capitol 6
When: Friday, Feb. 2 to Sunday, Feb. 11
Note: Tickets are available at victoriafilmfestival.com or 250-389-0444
Some years, the Victoria Film Festival is defined by starry special guests like John Waters or Bill Nighy, who have attended gala events in the past. In others, a film like Smoke Signals, an indie hit which had one of its warmest worldwide receptions in Victoria, is what moves the cultural needle.
The festival’s 30th anniversary, which gets underway Friday, is defined by its symbiosis, with enough big name attendees (Atom Egoyan, Don McKellar, and Eric McCormack), high-profile films (including 2024 Academy Award nominees Perfect Days, Four Daughters, Robot Dreams), and potential audience favourites (Wilding, Wicked Little Letters) to satisfy all manner of moviegoers.
“I feel really good about the films we have this year,” festival director Kathy Kay said. “I really want people to see some of these.”
Kay has her favourites, but her job is to support the 10-day festival, its longtime supporters, and the regional film community as a whole. That being said, she’s proud of the festival’s direction this year, which is reflected in the optimistic, upbeat tone of many of the participating feature films. “There’s a gentler tone to the movies this year,” Kay said.
“Perfect Days is about surviving life by having a good outlook, and doing a job well. Robot Dreams is so sweet, and is about enjoying whom you spend time with. I’m seeing more films like that. I think people are realizing the world is getting too crazy and you have to appreciate what you’ve got and appreciate it and enjoy it.”
The programming, culled from more than 1,200 entries, has resulted in steady sales at the festival box office. There’s an uptick over last year, Kay said, which is partially due to the involvement of Egoyan. His new film, Seven Veils, which stars Amanda Seyfried, opens the festival at The Vic Theatre on Friday. “If he has a new film, then we always will try and get him,” Kay said of the Victoria-reared writer-director.
“It worked out for the festival this year, and it being our 30th, it was coincidence in a way. We always try and get films that he’s made, but if they go to [the Toronto International Film Festival] first, then we don’t get them. But it all worked in our favour.”
Egoyan is a proud Victorian, and will spend the weekend in and around the festival. Seven Veils will be screened a second time at The Vic Theatre on Sunday, which Egoyan will attend. The two-time Oscar nominee will participate in a Q&A session following the screening, and has agreed to a 90-minute masterclass that same day as part of the festival’s film industry component, Springboard.
“It’s lovely to have him. It’s a real treat. It’s lovely that he still thinks about Victoria and thinks it’s is important to come back here. I think he respects us, and always makes his event something special.”
The festival’s second in-person edition since 2020, following COVID-19 interruptions, has other highlights, including the presence of the Toronto-born McCormack — an Emmy Award winner from Will & Grace who is joining the festival for a Q&A session prior to a screening of Free Enterprise, his 2009 film with co-star William Shatner — and an opening night after-party at Club Kwench on Friday.
Local content looms large as well. In addition to several films with a regional focus, including Our Time to Be Kind, about Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, there is an art exhibit (featuring the work of Scott Amos) and CineVic Showcase, spotlighting top local short films.
Programming from outside the area remains strong, however, and is meant to appeal to a wide range of moviegoers. Youthful viewers will be attuned to acclaimed indie hits like I Used to Be Funny, which stars Rachel Sennott of Shiva Baby and Bodies Bodies Bodies renown, and Cannes Film Festival favourite How to Have Sex. The aforementioned Oscar contenders, including Perfect Days, which has been described as a career-best outing from director Wim Wenders, will have the widest appeal of any films participating in the the festival.
Kay is overjoyed at the variety being offered this year. “I’d say 80 per cent of our movies have won awards at different festivals. We’ve got some really well-received movies this year.”
Having survived three decades of ups and downs, she remains upbeat knowing Victoria film fans will continue to support to the Victoria Film Festival. “We keep trying to listen to what people want and come up with a lot of fun, creative ideas,” she said. “People appreciate that.”
