For Immediate Release CANADIAN FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL MARKS ITS
THIRD YEAR
WITH A SPECTACULAR 100% CANADIAN LINE-UP
Numerous award-winning feature
and short films showcased at this year’s Festival
FESTIVAL DATES: March 23rd – 26th, 2006
TORONTO, March 1st, 2006
– The Canadian Filmmakers Festival, an event devoted
entirely to the celebration, promotion, and advancement of
Canadian film, is pleased to announce its 2006 programming
line-up. The Festival is presented by Schweppes and works
in association with Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto
International Film Festival Group.
The Canadian Filmmakers
Festival will present a variety of 100% Canadian programming
including features and shorts from across the country.
The Festival’s opening night movie, Blake Van de Graaf’s
SideKick, stars David Ingram (QUEER AS FOLK, TWITCHES), and
Daniel Baldwin (PAPARAZZI), and follows Norman (Perry Mucci),
a comic-book obsessed computer consultant who is faced with
the heartbreaking realization that not all people with extraordinary
abilities are meant to be superheroes, when he decides to
train a fellow-co worker with superpowers.
This year’s programming
line-up also includes: John Kalangis’ film, LOVE IS
WORK (2005 Whistler Film Festival Audience Choice Award winner),
starring Shauna MacDonald (TRAILER PARK BOYS, THIS HOUR HAS
22 MINUTES) and Scott McCord (THE ELEVENTH HOUR), a film about
the intense and disorienting moments in the lives of five
couples meeting at the same restaurant as they contemplate
the themes of money, sex, death, birth, fame, and of course,
love; THE FRENCH GUY, by Ann Marie Fleming, a pitch-black
comedy that follows brain surgery survivor and renewed humanitarian,
Elizabeth Murray (Babz Chula) on an absurd adventure of goodwill
gone awry; and Jim Donovan’s PURE, a raver-friendly
drama staring Laura Jordan (BERKELEY, PLAYMAKERS) about the
extreme highs and crashing lows of a group of young Montrealers
seeking a purpose.
Other notable Festival
screenings include acclaimed director Anita Doron’s
film, THE END OF SILENCE, a poetic love story that follows
Darya (Ekaterina Chtchelkanova), a Russian ballerina who is
forced into poverty and obscurity after her career is cut
short, and her paramour, Eddie (John Tokatlidis), a man preoccupied
with his past and his ex-wife Nora (portrayed by singer/songwriter
Sarah Harmer in her feature film debut); and the documentary
CHAIRMAN GEORGE, written, directed and produced by Daniel
Cross and Mila Aung-Thwin, that follows George Sapounidis,
a shy, Greek-Canadian statistician and Mandarin folk-singing
sensation on his quest to perform at the closing ceremonies
of the 2004 Olympic Games.
The Canadian Filmmakers
Festival will screen 10 feature and 19 short films. Please
visit www.canfilmfest.ca for the complete film schedule.
The
opening night gala screening, SIDEKICK, will take place at
Cineplex Odeon Varsity Cinemas (55 Bloor St. W - Manulife
Centre, Toronto). Opening night tickets can be purchased for
$10 plus tax. All other screenings will take place at Cineplex
Odeon Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton St. - Yonge & Carlton).
Single tickets for all other screenings are $9.00 plus tax.
Tickets will be available at Cineplex Odeon Carlton Cinemas
beginning March 13th, 2005.
The Canadian Filmmakers
Festival presenting sponsor is Schweppes. Key Sponsors include:
Cineplex Odeon, Delta Chelsea, GJP Advertising, MD Media Inc.,
70 Mainstreet Inc., eye Weekly, and Playback. Contributing
Sponsors include: William F. White International Inc, Premiere
Insurance Underwriting, Jones Brown Inc., Alto Basso, Beba
Lounge Bar and Octapus Lounge.
About The
Canadian Filmmakers Festival
The Canadian Filmmakers
Festival is an event devoted to the celebration, promotion
and advancement of Canadian filmmaking talent. By exclusively
featuring Canadian films, its goal is to provide filmmakers
with valuable showcasing and networking opportunities and
to offer the public homegrown productions to view and enjoy.
Held annually in downtown Toronto theatre locations the festival
showcases short and feature films and also includes opening
and closing galas, parties, panels and other meet-and-greet
sessions. For more information please visit The Canadian Filmmakers
Festival Web site at: www.canfilmfest.ca.
About Cadbury
Beverages Canada Inc.
Based in the Toronto area,
Cadbury Beverages Canada, Inc., is part of Cadbury Schweppes
Americas Beverages (CSAB), a subsidiary division of London-based
Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE: CSG, LSE: CBRY). CSAB is one
of the largest producers of soft drinks and premium beverages
in the Americas. In addition to Schweppes and Schweppes Infusion,
the company's other major Canadian brands include Canada Dry,
C Plus, Crush, Mott's, Mott's Clamato, Snapple and Hawaiian
Punch. Cadbury Schweppes is a major global manufacturer, marketer
and distributor of branded confectionery and beverage products
in nearly 200 countries, with a history dating back more than
220 years.
Media
Contacts: Michelle Daides
MD Media Inc.
(416) 573-3960
michelle@mdmediainc.com
Deana Beltsis
Director of Marketing and Press Relations
Canadian Filmmakers Festival
(647) 222-3378
deanabeltsis@canfilmfest.ca