FIN sets an exciting 2022 festival slate

FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival will be back in full force this year.

During Wednesday’s program announcement, the wafting scent of fresh popcorn paired well with the excited cohort in Park Lane Cineplex’s theatre four. They clapped and became immersed in what would be offered this year during the September 15-22 festival.

There will be 178 films in 29 different languages, from nearly 30 countries. Among them is Opening Night Gala film Brother, from Clement Virgo. The director previously shot Poor Boy’s Game and The Book Of Negroes right here in Nova Scotia.

“Our opening and closing films are so strong,” said newly-minted FIN Executive Director Martha Cooley. “We often like to open with an Atlantic Canadian film as much as possible, but based on Clement’s ties to the area, we felt it was a strong connection.”

Brother joins the likes of Maudie, Murmur, Thom Fitzgerald’s Splinters and last year’s Wildhood as an Opening Night selection.

The festival will be book-ended this year by Oscar favourite and buzzy Toronto International Film Festival selection The Whale. Directed by Black Swan and The Wrestler auteur Darron Aronofsky, the film is already receiving rave reviews. Star Brendan Fraser will receive the TIFF Tribute Award for his performance in the film as well.

“We always like to close with an Oscar buzz film. With Brendan Fraser getting glowing reviews, it’s definitely in conversation and contention for big award. It’s going to be a real audience pleaser.”

The local talent on display is overwhelming, and the inclusion of some incredible work by female filmmakers is also evident. Tara Thorne (Compulsus), Koumbie (Bystanders), Jackie Torrens (Bernie Langille Wants To Know What Happened To Bernie Langille), and Ashley Mackenzie (Queens of the Qing Dynasty) are all locals featured this year.

“We are seeing more and more diversity and gender parity in the industry. There’s been a groundswell of great content, and you see the result at the festival,” said Cooley. “This is also due to the work of funders to get movies with unique voices out there. It’s amazing to see.”

Other Gala presentations include the East Coast Shorts Gala, featuring Nova Scotia’s Scott Jones, Tori Martin Flemming, Jenna Marks, and P.E.I.’s Millefiore Clarkes. Korean film Decision To Leave is one of five films from the area to be featured, and Marie Clement’s Bones Of Crows and Mia Handsen-Love’s French film Un Beau Martin will also play.

Some Special Presentations include Phyllis Hagy’s Call Jane, Chase Joynt’s Framing Agnes, Francois Ozon’s French film Peter Von Kant, and Oscar-winner Florian Zeller’s The Son, starring Hugh Jackman.

The festival also features the works of Krzysztof Kieslowski in the Restored collection, local Kevin Hartford’s debut feature Lemon Squeezy, Jon Mann’s documentary feature You Can Call Me Roger, Daniel MacIvor’s doc The Work, and short films from Meaghan Wright, Eric Meus-Saunders, former Halifax resident Amy Trefry, and work from Wildhood director Bretten Hannam.

“With the pandemic, we’ve seen ebbs and flows of how much work is being made. Our program may be a bit more compact this year, but it’s an incredible line-up,” said Cooley.

“It’s amazing to see how our film community pivoted during COVID-19 to make content and follow guidelines. The calibre of this content is so high.”

One thing missing is the Extreme program, championed by former executive director Wayne Carter. But Cooley says films of the ilk still exist, just not under one banner.

“We were back-and-forth about it. But we just didn’t have enough to theme it as such. Many of our later-night screenings though are sci-fi, dystopian, and a bit more adult,” she said. “We are definitely seeing what people think and how they react to it. During the pandemic, people stopped going out as late. We changed our showings timewise a bit too.”

Jason Beaudry, program director at FIN, is excited to move a bit closer to normal this year, while still understanding any misgivings from attendees.

“It’s exciting to be back, but we aren’t expanding to our pre-pandemic levels,” he said. “However, we have a strong program and understand if audiences may not be fully ready.”

Beaudry knows, though, that the festival isn’t just about films. The landscape between theatrical and streaming has also shifted to at-home viewing a lot as well.

“It’s about celebrating the work, talent and effort of filmmakers. That was why this started in 1981, and why it continues to evolve. Bringing those filmmakers back in contact with a live audience is so important,” he said.

“People are still hungry to come to the in-theatre experience. Our line-up is stellar because filmmakers and companies are seeing the opportunity to get back to theatres. We just hope things continue in a good trajectory.”

FIN will see in-person parties, receptions, live Q&As and panels. The in-person awards will go forward, and there will also be day-time panels hosted by filmmaker Stephanie Joline. Director Bretten Hannam will also host the RBC Script Development Program pitch competition.

FIN Partners – in its 25^th year – will also take place from September 15-17, 2022, and feature Canadian and International producers, investors, broadcasters and more. Attendees will do investor and co-production workshops, and 142 participants from 14 countries are involved.

Beaudry says the festival experience will be on full display this year for attendees.

“We are privileged and aware we have one of the best positions of a Canadian film festival. We take place on the back of TIFF, and share incredible films coming off their world premiere or a big premiere just days later,” he said.

“We are able to put them with the best of Atlantic Canada, Canada and the world. To know we compete is exciting. There are some incredible deep dives, and great movies for everyone.”

Festival passes and individual tickets for screenings and special events will go on sale next Monday, August 29 at 10 a.m. Tickets and passes will be available online exclusively at finfestival.ca.