Photo via Windsorite
From Monday October 30th to Sunday November 5th, the second largest volunteer-run film festival in the country will make a roaring return, right here in Windsor. The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF), has been around since 2005, and has featured incredible films like Manchester By the Sea (2016), and Whiplash (2014).
WIFF has grown substantially since 2005, now with 97 films, 3 theatres and legendary actress Lois Smith (Marjorie Prime) attending this year to receive a lifetime achievement award. There are amazing Oscar contenders screening like Call Me By Your Name (2017), Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017) and Loveless (2017); and classics like Grease (1978), Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and E.T The Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
There are also many local films included in the festival. I Am Evidence (2017), a documentary that deals with thousands of untested rape kits in Metro-Detroit and 12th and Clairmount (2017), a documentary about the 1967 Detroit riots, with rare archival footage of the events, donated by Detroiters. The most exciting local feature is the 48 Hour Flick Fest, where local filmmakers are challenged to write, shoot and edit a short film within 48 hours, to be screened at the festival on Wednesday November 1st.
There’s a new program to attract young people to WIFF called the Jr. Programmers. These local teens were hand picked to help choose films that interest them, and help tailor the festival more towards the subsequent citizens of Windsor. Their picks are labeled as “WIFF Next Wave," and should be sought out by everyone, especially younger people.
WIFF is a very important event that takes place in Windsor, because of how culturally integrative it is, and every young Windsorite should have the chance to go to it once in their lives.
Tickets are on sale at http://www.windsorfilmfestival.com/ and the Box Office at 109 University Ave W. Tickets are $9 for students, $14 for adults.