The 34th Atlantic Film Festival announces special guests and details for the Gala Red Carpet Opening Night for event,
Sept. 11-18 in Halifax
(Halifax, NS) – The Atlantic Film Festival starts this Thursday and it is time to unveil some big names attending this 34th annual event. Charles Binamé, Xavier Dolan,
Danny Willliams, Émile Gaudreault, Ron Mann and Ruba Nadda are some of the talented celebrities and filmmakers in Halifax during the event, Sept. 11-18.
Kicking off the festival is the Gala Red Carpet Opening Night, featuring the presentation of Elephant Song at the Dalhousie Arts Centre’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by NBC Universal, Téléfilm Canada and the Canada Media Fund, the film opens with the disappearance of an eminent psychiatrist, with the last person to see him being Michael (Xavier Dolan), a troubled patient obsessed with all things elephant. The hospital director, Dr. Greene (Bruce Greenwood), is called in to help.
He insists on interviewing Michael, despite the warnings of Nurse Peterson (Catherine Keener), who understands all too well the devastating loss that still haunts Dr. Greene. Fueled by moving performances, brilliant writing and impeccable direction, Elephant Song is an exceptional trip into the world of imagination and desire. Director, Charles Binamé, producer, Richard Goudreau, writer, Nicolas Billon and international sensation,
Xavier Dolan will be in attendance at the Gala Red Carpet Opening Night festivities.
Doors open at the Dalhousie Art Centre’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
The Atlantic Gala screening of Heartbeat, sponsored by Bell Aliant Community One, is on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The film marks the continuing collaboration of Andrea Dorfman and poet/songwriter, Tanya Davis, following their multi-million hit YouTube sensation, and recent book publication, How To Be Alone. With Davis playing a meek but determined office worker bound to follow love and music rather than convention, Heartbeat’s gentle love/loss/love plot, punctuated by quizzical bits of animation and propelled by Davis’ drop-dead gorgeous singer-songwriter adventures takes the story to a level of expression rarely seen in East Coast filmmaking. Writer/director Andrea Dorfman, actor, Tanya Davis, and producers, Bill Niven and Jay Dahl along with a large contingent of the cast and crew will be present at the Park Lane Cinemas. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
This year, the Festival will shine the Atlantic Spotlight on the world premiere screening of two films from Atlantic Canada: Deanne Foley’s big screen adaptation of Lesley Crewe’s novel, Relative Happiness screens on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m. Director, Deanne Foley, producers, Lynn Wilson, Alan Collins and Jill Knox-Gosse, along with a large contingent of cast and crew will be in attendance. And the career-spanning documentary, Danny of larger-than-life Newfoundland politician, Danny Williams will be presented on Saturday, September 13 at 9:30 p.m. Danny Williams will be in attendance for this World Premiere, along with co-directors, William D. MacGillivray and
Justin Simms and National Film Board of Canada Executive Producer, Annette Clarke.
The CBC Atlantic Shorts Gala presents eight short films, including works by Denis Theriault, Leah Johnston, Shaun Lowe, Lisa Rose Snow, Chris Devanney,Scott Simpson, Cayman Grant, and Justin Oakey. All eight talented filmmakers are expected to be in attendance at the Park Lane Cinemas on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.
A large group of French filmmakers will be travelling to Halifax as part of Québec Cinéma’s La Tournée du cinéma Québécois. Special guests in attendance include, director, Mathieu Denis and actor, Anthony Therrien from Corbo; actor, Jean-Carl Boucher from 1987, director, Stephane Lafleur from Tu dors Nicole, and director,
Émile Gaudreault and writer, Pierre-Michel Tremblay for Le vrai du faux.
Also in attendance will be: respected documentarian, Ron Mann for Altman; the World Premiere of What We Have will see director/writer Maxime Desmons, executive Producer Damon D’Oliviera, producer, Sally Karam and actor, Marie-Eve Peron in attendance; director, Adam MacDonald, producer, Thomas Michael and producer/actor, Jeff Roop will be on-hand to present Backcountry; and rising star director, Ruba Nadda will be visiting Halifax along with producer, Daniel Iron for the Special Presentation screening of October Gale.
To view the full program or download a copy of the 2014 Atlantic Film Festival Program guide, visit:atlanticfilm.com
Tickets for screenings and special events along with Festival Passes are available by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online at atlanticfilm.com or ticketpro.ca. Tickets are also available at all Ticketpro outlets in Nova Scotia, including Video Difference (6086 Quinpool Road). Please note that Ticketpro outlets accept cash or debit only. Tickets are also available at the Festival Box Office in Park Lane Mall (5657 Spring Garden Road).
For hours of operation, visit: atlanticfilm.com
The 2014 AFF iPhone app is now live and can be downloaded on iTunes. Discover the ultimate festival experience with the Atlantic Film Festival app. Browse through films by category, watch trailers and look up show times. Use the app to purchase tickets directly from your iPhone or iPad.
Another way to be part of the action is by visiting the Super Channel Festival Lounge located in the Georgian Lounge, at the Lord Nelson Hotel (1515 South Park Street).
Open from noon to midnight daily, this is a place for the industry and the public to connect.
About the Atlantic Film Festival
The Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) is an eight-day celebration of film, media and music from around the world. It’s a festival that turns Halifax – a charming and historic coastal city – into an international Mecca for the arts, abuzz with filmmakers, industry types and film lovers. This year’s event takes place from September 11-18.
Offering a first-look at the best international films of the festival season, the AFF is a champion of local filmmakers, committed to bridging the gap. We attract some of the biggest players in film, media and music from around the world. All of our film selections are chosen with our community in mind and our special events are designed to bring us all together. A not-for-profit organization, the AFF depends heavily upon its strong ties to the surrounding and thriving arts community.
The Atlantic Film Festival began as a tiny, grassroots operation in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1981, relocating to Halifax the following year. Just three decades later, the Atlantic film Festival has blossomed into one of Canada’s premier film festivals. Whether for industry folk, unabashed film lovers or curious onlookers, the Festival offers a slew of opportunities to engage through film. Today’s Atlantic Film Festival is now a year-round celebration, growing beyond our eight-day cornerstone event in September to include: ViewFinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth, AFF Outdoor Film Experience, and Strategic Partners.
Receive the most up-to-date information about the Atlantic Film Festival and its Family of Programs, including sneak peeks and festival highlights on our online website: atlanticfilm.com, our Facebook page: /atlanticfilmfestival, our Twitter account: /thefilmfest #AFF2014, our Pinterest profile: pinterest.com/atlanticfilm, our LinkedIn company page: linkedin.com/company/atlantic-film-festival and our Youtube channel: youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom.