Celebrating its 24th year in 2024, Reelworld is Canada’s longest-running film festival and institute committed to advancing opportunities for Indigenous, Black, Asian, South Asian, and People of Colour in the Canadian screen industries by reducing barriers and fostering authentic stories.
The Reelworld Film Festival + Summit 2024 will take place from October 21 to November 3 in Toronto, featuring seven days of screenings, keynote speeches, industry discussions, fireside chats, pitch opportunities, awards presentations, and breakfast/luncheon networking.
This year, 11 filmmakers from British Columbia will be present at Reelworld Film Festival + Summit 2024. In particular, four of these filmmakers’ films will be screening at the festival. Here are the featured films:
LES FILLES DU ROI
Directed by Vancouver-based Corey Payette
In this soaring trilingual musical, a young Mohawk girl, Kateri, and her brother, Jean-Baptiste, have their lives disrupted upon the arrival of “Les Filles du Roi” (Daughters of the King) in 1665 New France, forge an unlikely relationship with young Marie-Jean Lesperance – whose dream of a new life is more complicated than she could have imagined. This engaging period musical serves as a vehicle to tell the story through the perspective of generations of silenced Indigenous peoples whose stories have gone unheard by the mainstream. It challenges the history we’ve been told and asks us to reconsider the narrative.
Photo Credit: LES FILLES DU ROI
THE SKIMMER
Directed by Vancouver-based Derek Wallis and Jordan Connor
Ring….BRrinng….BBRRRIING!! Paul, a pool boy, picks up a telephone he has no business answering. The voice on the line invites Paul to a party in exchange for a favour. But Paul doesn’t realize what is truly at stake.
Photo Credit: THE SKIMMER
SNAKESKIN
Directed by Vancouver-based Emily Bendeck Garay
A trans girl misses her train stop at night and embarks on a surreal journey back home as her dreams start leaking into her reality.
Photo Credit: SNAKESKIN
SORRY FOR YOUR COST
Directed by Vancouver-based Rosie Choo Pidcock
This is the story of a family coming to terms with the predatory nature of the funeral industry, and ultimately finding solace in their own rituals.
Photo Credit: SORRY FOR YOUR COST
The rest of the Vancouver-based filmmakers attending the event include Kent Donguines (CANADIAN ADOBO), Tarique Qayumi (MADAR), Hiromu Yamawaki (COUNTING DAYS), Rukiya Bernard, (MEDITATION 4 BLACK WOMEN, Kevin Ang and Hannah Yang (THE PRINCIPLES OF GREENOLOGY).
Also, the event features a diverse lineup of panels that explore key topics in the Canadian screen industry. From discussions on diversity and representation in unscripted television to insights on episodic directing and creating successful writer-editor relationships, attendees will gain valuable knowledge and strategies. Featured speakers include Valerie Creighton, President & CEO, Canada Media Fund; Karen Thorne-Stone, President & CEO, Ontario Creates; Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada; as well as Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC.
With the summit ticket now sold out, this underscores the event’s significance for filmmakers seeking to engage with industry leaders and enhance their understanding of current trends and practices.
Learn more about the event and the full lineup on the official website.
