29th Atlantic Film Festival Announces Atlantic Canadian Film Program, Headlining Musical Acts for Opening Night Party and a Revamped Program Guide for 2009
Halifax, NS, August 18, 2009 - The 29th Atlantic Film Festival will kick off its Atlantic Canadian film program this year on Friday, September 18, at the Oxford Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia with the Atlantic Gala presentation of Love and Savagery sponsored by Desjardins Financial Security.
"This year we have over 70 titles in our program made by Atlantic Canadians, it's by far the best depth of program we have seen at the Festival yet," said Festival Director, Lia Rinaldo. "We have features and shorts from all four provinces that demonstrate what truly is the growth and strength in our regional filmmaking."
Love and Savagery, a film by director John N. Smith and writer Des Walsh, is set during the late 1960s and tells the story of an intense romance when a young, Newfoundland geologist with Irish roots falls for the most beautiful girl in a small rural Irish town who's set on entering a religious life in the local nunnery and hospital.
Films by female Atlantic Canadian filmmakers also feature prominently in the program. Two emerging female directors from Newfoundland will screen films at the Festival - First time feature film director Adriana Maggs will screen Grown Up Movie Star along with Sherry White's Crackie.
In addition to features there will also be 10 programs of Atlantic Canadian short films taking place over the 10 days of the Festival. At the lead of the shorts program is the CBC Atlantic Shorts Gala taking place on Tuesday, September 22, at the Oxford Theatre. This Gala collection of eight films includes Conscript, the new short by Jacob Owens, Date with the Dead by Justin Madol, and Super Science by Joel MacKenzie. A full list of shorts screening is available on the Atlantic Film Festival website.
Continuing the strength of Canadian presence at the AFF, the Festival is also pleased to announce that both The Arkells and The Novaks, will help kick off the festival by performing at the recently announced NBC Universal Canada Opening Night Party taking place on September 17 at The Metro Centre. Tickets are on sale now for $25, available exclusively online at www.ticketatlantic.com, Ticket Atlantic Box Office, and charge by phone (902) 451-1221. Service charges apply.
The Online Box Office of the 29th Atlantic Film Festival goes live at atlanticfilm.com on September 2, as well as official Box Office, located this year on the main level of Park Lane Mall.
The 29th Atlantic Film Festival Limited Edition Program Guide will also hit the shelves on September 2. The guide will feature exclusive interviews with Atlantic Canadian actors, directors and filmmakers, including cast members of The Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day which will make its World Premiere at the Festival. The Guide will be sold for $5 plus HST at the Atlantic Film Festival Box Office and select TicketPro locations.
For complete ticket information and to download the full Atlantic Canadian film program listing of the 29th Atlantic Film Festival please visit atlanticfilm.com
NEXT - The Atlantic Film Festival will roll out all Gala and Special Presentation programming as well as final Box Office information on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.
The 29th Atlantic Film Festival takes place September 17-26, 2009 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Atlantic Film Festival is a production of the Atlantic Film Festival Association (AFFA). AFFA also produces alFresco filmFesto (Summer 2009), Strategic Partners (September 18-20, 2009), ViewFinders: International Film Festival For Youth (April 20-24, 2010).
Organizers acknowledge the continued support provided for The Atlantic Film Festival by the Atlantic Canada Opportunites Agency (ACOA)/ Agence de promotion économique du Canada atlantique (APECA).
For more information, please contact:
Cristin Anelysse Fraser, Communications Officer
Direct Tel: (902) 420-4799/ e-mail: cristinf@atlanticfilm.com
Lia Rinaldo, Festival Director
Direct Tel: (902) 420-4796/ e-mail: rinaldo@atlanticfilm.com