Popcorn and paparazzi: Vaughan Film Festival kicks off 10th season at spring launch

Festival features screenings, after-parties and award presentations running from June 20 to 23

Thestar.com
May 26, 2022
Heidi Riedner

The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) kicked off its 10th season with a spring launch at The Studios at Assembly Park May 17.

“Ten years later and we have grown to such an incredible, world-recognized film festival,” Vaughan Ward 4 Coun. Sandra Yeung-Racco said during the event, hosted by Stephanie Henry from “Breakfast Television” and featuring guest speakers Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

“It really proves to you that, whatever dream you have, you can go for it and nobody can stop you if you are passionate about it. This is such a great platform, especially for young filmmakers and film lovers, to be here and be inspired by what VFF has done.”

In honour of the festival’s milestone year, VFF announced the brand-new Decennium Award that will be given to the festival’s best film from the past decade.

Shortlisted films include Shawn Christensen’s Oscar-winning film “Curfew” and last year’s “After Class,” written and directed by Charles Xiuzhi Dong. The list will be narrowed down to five nominees, which will be presented at this year's VFF Awards.

The festival, which runs from June 20 to 23, will feature two nights of international film blocks. Screening at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, the lineups will be composed of 16 films from 10 different countries, including France, Pakistan, Greece, Italy and Estonia. Both nights will conclude with a networking after-party at Chop Steakhouse and Bar.

The closing night of the festival will feature award presentations hosted by the festival’s first-ever host -- TV and radio personality Rick Campanelli.

The nominees include:

Best Cinematography: Khalid Mohtaseb, “Censor of Dreams”; Ali Lavarimonfared, “Dribble”; Alberto Balazs, “Sandstorm”

Best Actor: Damian Bonnard, “Censor of Dreams”; Mehdi Mokarian, “Dribble”; Christian Petaroscia, “Inverno (Timo’s Winter)”; Giulio Beranek, “Inverno (Timo’s Winter)”

Best Actress: Allie Dunbar, “The Bubble”; Parizae Fatima, “Sandstorm”; Ana Villa, “Distancias”

Best Director: Beth Evans, “The Bubble”; Giulio Mastromauro, “Inverno (Timo’s Winter)”; Seemab Gul, “Sandstorm”

Best Film: “The Bubble” (Canada); “Sandstorm” (Pakistan); “Distancias” (Spain)

The Sandra Piccolo Trailblazer Award will be given to Hollywood audio professional and two-time Emmy-winner Frank Morrone, while the Independent Leadership Award will be given to internationally renowned Canadian actress, Kim Roberts.

This year’s recipients of VFF’s $1,000 scholarships include Kyle Yu and Vickie Shie from Alexander Mackenzie High School and Marc Nadon from Notre Dame College School.

Best Student Film will be announced at VFF’s Student Screening Block being held on Tuesday, June 21 and taking place at the YCDSB Centre for the Arts, located at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School.

The lineup will spotlight 16 films from 10 different high schools across the GTA, with the winning student receiving a $2,000 bursary toward their school's arts program.

VFF also announced that its Inspiring Future Filmmakers seminar series will be returning to an in-person format during the month of September. Further details will be revealed in the coming months.

For more information about this year's schedule, visit vaughanfilmfestival.com.