Filmmakers descending on Markham next month

Markham Economist & Sun
March 10, 2014
By Amanda Persico

Markham will be reeling on the red carpet next month.

The ReelWorld Film Festival is making its debut in Markham, with three additional screening days.

The festival will run in Toronto April 2 to 6 and in Markham April 11 to 13.

The event will feature more than 75 films and videos, including 25 feature films, 37 shorts, nine music videos and eight webisodes.

This year’s star-studded lineup also includes more than 70 per cent Canadian content, including a film directed by Markham artist Andrew Cheung.

Millions is the story of a group of Asian Canadian friends in their 20s looking to become millionaires before turning 30.

“This project started in Markham with friend,” Mr. Cheung said during this month’s film festival launch. “To have the film screened here is coming full circle.”

The goal behind ReelWorld is to provide a platform to celebrate diversity and to create opportunities for aspiring filmmakers from racially diverse back grounds.

This year’s festival will also be feature films from China, Ethiopia, India, Australia, Philippines, Turkey, Grenada, Iraq and Trinidad and Tobago.

“Markham is where diversity thrives,” Regional Councillor Gordon Landon said during the festival launch. “It’s not hard to see that the ReelWorld festival is a great fit here.”

Movie screenings will take place at the Cornell Community Centre rehearsal hall and Cineplex First Markham Place.

Each feature film, paired with a short film, is followed by a question-and-answer period with film cast or director.

There are also several workshops with industry leaders and the ReelYouth series that connects youth with those in the filmmaking business.

“Alot of youth think the only way to get into film is to be in front of the camera,” ReelWorld chairperson and CEO Mo Jiwan, who is also a York Region resident.

“The film world is gigantic. And you can see that if you sit through the credits. The actors are only the first five people.”

ReelWorld has also partnered with the Markham Mayor’s Youth Council - formerly the Markham Mayor’s Youth Task Force - to host a music video night and celebration April 6 in Toronto and April 12 in Markham. The music video night will focus on creating riveting music videos and will feature nine Canadian music videos.

ReelWorld has also partnered with the Multimedia Film Festival of York Region and some York Region films will be screened during the festival.

Opening night in Markham will feature The Rocket, a story about a young boy who believes is cursed with bad luck. To prove himself, he signs up to build a giant rocket for the village rocket-building competition.

The film festival closes in Markham with Filmistaan, in which a wannabe actor is mistaken for an American crew member and is held hostage.

Markham is also hosting two family screenings April 13, featuring York Region short A World Out There, documentary Music for Mandela and Bekas, the story of two Iraqi youth who dream of a different life.

Early bird ticket packages are now on sale.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit reelworld.ca