Oakville Festivals of Film and Art

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Oakville Festivals of Film and Art is a not-for-profit organization that runs the Oakville Film Festival, as well as special screening and Arts events such as the Sheridan/OFFA Annual Screening series. In its 8th year, the festival is held the third week of June every year, and includes a juried award competition, and an Audience Choice Award. An Industry Summit for the Canadian Film Industry and local filmmakers is held every year in conjunction with the festival, but has also become a year-round event that features industry workshops/panels, which provide professional development for the filmmaking community.[1] To date, the festival has attracted over 24,000 event participants, screened over 500 films, and attracted over 600 industry guests.[2]

For 2021, the festival hosted its biggest and longest festival yet, 105 films over 7 days, on a virtual platform. OFFA achieved its biggest audience yet for 2021, attracting over 5,000 people to its online screening platform, as well as live screenings at the local Indie cinema and Drive In Theatre, to screen over 100 films from Canada and all over the world.[3] As early as 2020, the festival has increased its reach to audiences and filmmakers substantially by doing hybrid digital/live screening events.[4] The 2020 year featured the Canadian theatrical Premiere of The Cuban at The Five Drive In in Oakville, as well as many more Canadian and World Premieres.  Over 70% of the films screened are Canadian and the festival has a reputation for screening the world of local filmmakers from the area, but also of attracting filmmakers from around the world to its June Festival.[5][6] The 7th edition of the festival featured 21 feature films and documentaries, over 42 short films, 3 events, (including a screening of I’m Going to Break Your Heart and a special concert with Canadian Performers Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, as well as 2 days of interactive industry sessions.[2] The event attracted a record number of filmmakers and industry guests and featured record audiences.[2]

The 7th edition of the festival featured 21 feature films and documentaries, over 42 short films, 3 events, (including a screening of I'm Going to Break Your Heart and a special concert with Canadian performers Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida.[7] As well as 2 days of interactive industry sessions. The event attracted a record number of filmmakers and industry guests and featured record audiences.[8]

History[]

Founded in 2014 by Oakville residents Wendy Donnan, Judah Hernandez and Stephanie Colebrook, Oakville Festivals of Film and Art is going into its 8th year in 2021.[9] OFFA and OFFA Online is a community-oriented festival. They aim to bring the best documentaries, features and short films to cinephiles in Southern Ontario.[10] Each year, in late June, OFFA hosts the Oakville Film Festival which is Oakville's only independent film festival. The festival has grown in stature and length, having gone from a 3 day event in 2017 to a 7 day event in 2021.[11]

General Information[]

The Oakville Film Festival, run by Oakville Festivals of Film and Art, presents feature films, shorts and documentaries of famous and award-winning auteurs, as well as the works of local Canadian filmmakers both new and experienced.[12][13]

OFFA showcases 20 feature-length productions and an equal number of shorts, in which many come from Oakville or surrounding communities.[8][14] OFFA organizes special screening series to raise money, and awareness, for local organizations with which OFFA collaborates on programming.[2][15]

OFFA works with other non-profit organizations for their events and presentations.[2]

Mission[]

OFFA aims to:

  • Produce outstanding events and initiatives
  • Present thought-provoking productions that explore relevant social issues[16]
  • Incentivize the development and growth of the local film and art industry
  • Gather a enlightened, supportive and analytical audience where new artists may showcase their art

Film Competitions and Awards[]

Film Awards (Jury and Audience Choice Awards)[17]

  • Best Canadian Feature Film
  • Best Feature Film
  • Best Documentary
  • Best International Short film
  • Best Canadian Short film
  • Best Director
  • Best Canadian Director
  • Best Indigenous Film
  • Best Student Film
  • Best Scriptwriter (or Best Script)
  • Audience Choice Award (Audience Vote)

References[]

  1. ^ "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e "2020 Oakville Festival of Film and Art". Look Local - Oakville and Burlington. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  3. ^ Brody, Laura. "Oakville Film Festival - CHCH". www.chch.com. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  4. ^ "Taking in a film with the rest of Canada". torontosun. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  5. ^ "Education through Film: 14 must-see BIPOC stories at the 2020 OFFA Film Festival".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Collins, Tyler (2020-06-23). "Best Films from OFFA Online Film Festival". Oakville News. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  7. ^ podcasters, Omny Studio is the complete audio management solution for; Stations, Radio. "Suzanne Crocker with John Moore - NEWSTALK1010 - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  8. ^ a b "8 things to know about the Oakville film festival and its move to an online format". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  9. ^ Brody, Laura. "Oakville Film Festival - CHCH". www.chch.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  10. ^ "Taking in a film with the rest of Canada". torontosun. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  11. ^ Collins, Tyler (2021-05-20). "Lineup announced for the 8th annual Oakville Film Festival". Oakville News. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  12. ^ "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  13. ^ "BRAUN: New film details the battle to acquit Steven Truscott". torontosun. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  14. ^ adm_now. "OFFA Online: Oakville Film Festival". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  15. ^ "Canada's 'Jane Goodall of giraffes' was ignored for decades, because she was a woman. But now she's a film festival star". thestar.com. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  16. ^ "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  17. ^ Collins, Tyler (2021-07-08). "Award winners revealed for the 8th Oakville Film Festival". Oakville News. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
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