The Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF) has released its 2022 lineup, presenting its first ever “hybrid model” consisting of both in-person and digital screenings. KCFF22 will run March 3-13, with the in-person screenings taking place March 3-5. As the globe’s largest all-Canadian film festival, organizers at KCFF are once again excited for the opportunity to delight not only Kingston audiences, but also viewers across the country and the world.
“It’s been a tough year to make a decision on the appropriate festival format, with such uncertainty of people’s comfort-level and the recurring restrictions,” says Festival Director, Marc Garniss. “We decided it was best to provide as many options as possible.”
KCFF’s in-person component will offer eight feature screenings in venues operating at 50 per cent capacity. All other screenings and events will be hosted on the KCFF digital platform, which welcomed viewers from nearly all continents last season. “The digital festival has been an amazing point-of-entry for so many viewers across the world. It’s more accessible, more affordable, and led to our highest viewership ever in 2021. With the hybrid version this year, I expect numbers to go up again. Of course, many of us are really missing the in-person component and we can’t wait to tip-toe back into the theatres, as well”, says Garniss.
The official opening night film will be ALL MY PUNY SORROWS by director Michael McGowan, based on the award-winning novel by Miriam Toews. This film played at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2021 and landed on many year-end must-watch lists. Other features include a lengthy list of award-winners and buzz-worthy new releases, including LEARN TO SWIM (Dir. Thyrone Tommy), STE. ANNE (Dir. Rhayne Vermette), SCARBOROUGH (Dir. Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson), and nearly 30 others.
Other titles featuring stand-out performances include:
- DRINKWATER (feat. Eric McCormack, Daniel Doheny)
- ISLANDS (feat. Rogelio Balagtas – winner SXSW breakthrough performance)
- HANDS THAT BIND (feat. Paul Sparks, Bruce Dern)
- NIGHT RAIDERS (feat. Elle-Maija Tailfeathers)
Festival-goers are encouraged to experience the full scope of the hybrid event, attending both in-person and online. “We hope this year provides a bit of everything for our audience” says Garniss. “And while it’s still not going to feel the same as 2019, this year feels a lot better than the last two and lots of people are hungry to return to the theatres. We’re encouraging people to participate in whatever way makes them most comfortable – there is no bad choice, other than not attending, of course.”
Nearly all films (in-person and online) will be accompanied by a post-show Q&A with a filmmaker/cast member. All screenings have limited tickets which are on sale now at kingcanfilmfest.com. For anyone interested in six or more digital films, festival passes are available starting at $78. Single tickets start at $13.50. For more information, contact KCFF at [email protected] or 613-777-0161.
Please note some films have geo-restrictions and not all titles are being offered through the digital platform.
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS ONLY (at the Isabel Bader Centre):
- DRUNKEN BIRDS
- PEACE BY CHOCOLATE
- SCARBOROUGH
AVAILABLE IN ONTARIO ONLY:
- DAWN, HER DAD & THE TRACTOR
- ISLANDS
- RUN WOMAN RUN
AVAILABLE IN CANADA ONLY:
- ALL MY PUNY SORROWS
- ATANARJUAT: THE FAST RUNNER
- THE BOATHOUSE
- CANADIAN SHORTS PROGRAMS 1 AND 2
- HANDS THAT BIND
- KIMMAPIIYPITSSINI: THE MEANING OF EMPATHY
- LAST OF THE RIGHT WHALES
- LEARN TO SWIM
- NIGHT RAIDERS
- WILDHOOD
