From anticipated world premieres to successful genre films touring the world, Canadian cinema is making a splash on this summer’s festival circuit, spotlighting the global appeal of our diverse stories! Here are five homegrown flicks doing just that.
Canadian world premieres to watch:
Denis Côté’s Wilcox
- Making its world premiere at Switzerland’s 72nd Locarno Film Festival (from August 17 to 17, 2019) in the Fuori Concorso section.
- The film’s website explains it’s about someone “who exists outside the norm” and roams around seeking freedom.
Louis Bélanger’s Vivre à 100 milles à l’heure
- Among the six Quebec films featured at the 12th edition of the Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême, this is our world premiere! (Psst! Canadian fans can also catch Vivre à 100 milles à l’heure in Quebec theatres as of September 27, 2019).
- Shot in Montreal and Quebec and set in the 1970s and ’80s, this coming of age story follows three boys whose friendship is tested.
Can’t-miss Canadian genre films:
Rob Grant’s Harpoon
- At the Sitges Film Festival, taking place from October 3 to 13, 2019 in Spain! (After premiering at the 47th Rotterdam Film Festival, Harpoon made its Asian premiere at Korea’s Bucheon Fantastic Festival.)
- Stuck in the middle of the ocean, three friends must deal with tensions and secrets.
- Won the audience award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2019 Calgary Underground Film Festival.
Jen and Sylvia Soska’s Rabid
- This film’s world premiere is right around the corner at the London FrightFest Film Festival on August 22 to 26, 2019, or this fall at the Sitges Film Festival. (October 3 to 13, 2019.)
- Rose (played by Laura Vandervoort) gives a new stem cell treatment a try after a terrible accident.
- Canadian filmmaking twins the Soska sisters crafted this anticipated remake of David Cronenberg’s 1977 film.
Jay Dahl’s Halloween Party
- Also premiering at London FrightFest this summer! (August 22 to 26, 2019)!
- Set in college, a Halloween computer meme unleashes vengeful entities into the world.
- Nominated for three ACTRA Maritimes Awards.
