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| 2016 HFF Program |
Raiders! The Story of the Greatest fan Film Ever Made
(USA) 106m, Dir. Eric Zala
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Raiders! The Story of the Greatest fan Film Ever Made
(USA) 106m, Dir. Eric Zala
Saturday November 5th, 7pm
The Zoetic, 526 Concession
Cosplay + Trivia + Prizes + Movie!
$10 General Admission
Free with your Hamilton Film Expo wristband
(USA) 106m, Dir. Eric Zala
Saturday November 5th, 7pm
The Zoetic, 526 Concession
Cosplay + Trivia + Prizes + Movie!
$10 General Admission
Free with your Hamilton Film Expo wristband
After Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Arkwas released 35 years ago, three 11year old boys from Mississippi set out on what would become a 7 year-long labor of love and tribute to their favorite film: a faithful, shot-for-shot adaptation of the defining action adventure film. They finished every scene...except one: the thrilling, explosive airplane set piece. Over two decades later, the trio reunited with the original cast members from their childhood in order to complete their masterpiece. Featuring interviews with John Rhys Davies, Eli Roth and more, Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made is just that: the story of this long gestating
project’s culmination, chronicling the friends' dedication to their artistic vision—mixed in with some movie magic—to create a personal, epic love letter to a true modern classic.
Win prizes as the audience judges the best Indy costume, try your luck at our trivia and definitely enjoy the Hamilton Theatrical premiere of the documentary! A night of Action and Adventure awaits!
project’s culmination, chronicling the friends' dedication to their artistic vision—mixed in with some movie magic—to create a personal, epic love letter to a true modern classic.
Win prizes as the audience judges the best Indy costume, try your luck at our trivia and definitely enjoy the Hamilton Theatrical premiere of the documentary! A night of Action and Adventure awaits!
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HFX 72 Film Challenge.
For registered teams only. Visit hamiltonfilmexpo.com/film-challenge to enter a team. (4 spots left) The Hamilton Film Festival and Digital Canaries present a 72 hour film challenge like no other! Professional Sets, Special Effects, Props, film screening at the Hamilton Film Festival and entry into the Canadian Film Market |
FIRST ROUND DOWN
OPENING FILM
(Canada, 96min, Comedy / Action, Brett Butler, Jason Butler)
HAMILTON PREMIERE
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OPENING FILM
First Round Down Monday November 7th, 8pm - SOLD OUT Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $12 General Admission This screening will sell out. A former hockey star turned hitman returns home after ten years to take care of his younger brother, but his checkered past catches up to him faster than he can deliver pizza. Features the Hamilton Steelhawks!
The Butler Brothers are 3-time HFF Alumni and will drop the puck at the screening! SOLD OUT 
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The Open
(France, 103min, Drama, Action,Marc Lahore)
ONTARIO PREMIERE
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The Open
Monday November 7th, 8:30pm Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $12 General Admission Limited Seating Bombs have exploded. The war is global.
Yet André and Stéphanie won’t give up: Roland Garros is their life, the reason why they live – their history. And come what may, they will organize their Open, whatever the cost. Even without rackets, even without balls, by the sheer strength of their faith. They believe in it. So hard they could even convince Ralph – a guerrilla from the plain – to join them, lay down his weapons, take his racket once more and try his luck in the final: Roland Garros! Three misfits, playing air tennis in the middle of nowhere, strive to dream – even though life is turning into a farce, even though the world is coming to an end. French and English with English Subtitles |
STUDENT and FIRST TIME FILMMAKERS
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STUDENT and FIRST TIME FILMMAKERS
Tuesday November 8th, 6:30pm Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N Hamilton Ontario Final Cassette (USA, Lianghong Deng) Toaster (Romania, Cristian Pop) At Dawn (UK, Ollie Wolf) If We Must Die (USA, Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic) The Silence (Canada, Cleo Tellier) Ruth's Great Escape (USA, Thomas Bangert) What Goes Up (USA, Brian Naughton) Tiny Tracks (Canada, Naomi Hocura) At Dawn (UK, Nathan Morris) |
Hamilton Shorts
(Various, 83min)
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Hamilton Shorts
Tuesday November 8th, 7pm - SOLD OUT ONLINE Walk-Up tickets only Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Wanna see what our local filmmakers are up to?
Comedy, Drama, Experimental and more! Mice Guy (Luther Griggs) Toilet Brush (Bill Boyd-Wilson) From Me To You (Aron Safranyos) Finder (Bea Macapagal) Syd (Bea Macapagal) Tik-Tik (Larica Perera) The Adventures of Jimmy & Chaz (Leo Sciara) Grozota (Taras Hemon) The Ballad of Gloria Sedgwick (Peter Riddihough) What Matters (Logan Hill) The Magician Fool & Fortune (Juliana LaChance) Face Value (Derek Lukosius) Shriner's Creek (Tino Notarianni) SOLD OUT 
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Man Made Epidemic
(Germany, Documentary, 83min, Natalie Beer)
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Man Made Epidemic
Tuesday November 8th, 7pm - Tickets The Café, 1365 Main St. E $6 General Admission Watch the film, stay for the discussion Very limited Seating Filmmaker Natalie Beer sets off on a journey around the world speaking to leading doctors, scientists, and families to find out the truth about the autism epidemic and whether or not vaccines have a role to play.
The film explores the common misconception that autism is solely genetic and looks into scientists concerns over recent years about environmental factors such a medication, pesticides and pollution which continue to leave our children with physical and neurological damage. synopsis supplied by the film's production company 
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The Lockpicker
(Canada, Drama / Coming of Age, 94min, Randall Okita)
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The Lockpicker
Tuesday November 8th, 8:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission After the death of a friend, teen thief Hashi fantasizes about getting out of town. When his closest friend is victimized by violence, Hashi is forced to choose between fighting back and becoming what he fears, or saving himself and leaving behind everyone and everything he knows.
With screenings happening across Canada, we are thrilled to have the Hamilton premiere! 
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Experimental Shorts
(12 Local and International Short Films)
Photo: Samba #2
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Experimental Shorts
Tuesday November 8th, 9:30pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 - General Admission *The Grand Journey Here (Canada, Christopher Healey)
Echoes (Canada, Darik Maurice) Bombshell (Canada, Lisa Birke) Aidos (Canada, Robert W. Gray) Boxers Breaking (Canada, Amina Moon) Little Pieces of Paper (Canada, Andrée-Anne Roussel) *79 Years (The Years after Lovecraft) (Canada, Colin Baxter) Glimpse (Canada, John Nicol) Samba #2 (Brazil, USA, Rosane Chamecki and Andrea lerner) We R the World/Mold (Canada, Dawn George) *Alien Transmission (Canada, Robert Ezergailis) Substratae (Canada, Margie Kelk) The Keys (Switzerland, Sonia Benarab) *Filmed in Hamilton 
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Dark Harvest
(Canada, Drama/Thriller, 92min,James Hutson)
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Dark Harvest
Tuesday November 8th, 10:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission A marijuana grower (Carter, James Hutson) and his mentor’s (Ricardo, Cheech Marin) illegal marijuana trade is broadsided by the murder of Carter’s best friend. The ensuing homicide investigation lead by suspended and implicated throwback narcotics officer (Bernie, A.C. Peterson) tangles with Carter and Ricardo’s transition to legalized pot.
James Hutson will be in attendance. 
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Ken Foster
(Canada, Documentary, 94min, Josh Laner)
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Ken Foster
Wednesday November 9th, 7pm - Tickets The Café, 1365 Main St. E $6 General Admission Watch the film, stay for the discussion Very limited Seating Out of the shadowy world of Vancouver's Gastown, Ken Foster emerges as an enigmatic figure. A prolific artist, Foster is known as much for his beautifully distorted renditions of iconic cityscapes as he is for peddling them on the streets to support a serious crack habit and subdue a schizophrenic mind. Inside Ken's squalid hotel room we are privy to an intimate look at life in the city's most unforgiving neighbourhood and Foster's fragmented approach to his relationships and his work. When Ken's considerable talent is put to the test in Vancouver's Art Battle competition, what emerges is a gut-wrenching portrait of a man caught in conflict between ambition, ego and the desperation of needing his next fix. — written by Jessica Barrett
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Bickerman's Grove
(Canada, Comedy, 86min, Adrian L. M. Konstant)
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Bickerman's Grove
Wed Nov 9th, 7pm - Tickets Digital Canaries Film Studio 520 Burlington St. E $10 General Admission Old Tucker Herman is told that he won't be the one to flip the switch at this year's tree lighting ceremony, instead, having to 'pass the torch' to either his son or son-in-law. He hatches a dark scheme that pits two families against each other, the victor inheriting his substantial fortune. Comical shenanigans ensue as both families find themselves embroiled and entwined in each other's lives and ultimately deaths. As ghosts, they must see the error of their ways and learn to get along before the end of the tree lighting ceremony or else be forced to do it all again. This dark Shakespearean comedy will tickle your other funny bone. Filmmakers and cast in attendance. 
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GERMAN FILM CELEBRATION
Wednesday night at the Staircase and Elaine Mae Theatre
This was a year where the German entries were praised by the programming team. We are very proud to bring you these films.
Vive La Mort
(Germany, Drama / Thriller / War, 107min, Thomas A. Welte)
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Vive L Mort
Wednesday November 9th, 6:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission 1945. After an anonymous tip, Wehrmacht deserter Paul Gmeiner is questioned by the French occupation and accused of the murder of a resistance fighter. Under interrogation, he must prove his own version of the events and refute the false accusations.
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German Short Films 1
(Dramatic / Sci-Fi, 107min)
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German Short Films 1
Wednesday November 9th, 7pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Risky Game (Stefan Plepp and Christine Kabisch)
Eat Snow (Max Hegewald) Nelly (Chris Raiber) Kryo (sci fi) (Christoph Heimer) Asphyxia (Pol Ponsarnau) Dark Dreamer (sci fi) (Max Ponischowski) 
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Hear The Silence
(Germany, Drama, 93min,Ed Ehrenberg)
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Hear the Silence
Wednesday November 9th, 8:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission This is the story of the men and women at the time of the German attack on Russia in 1941. A small, lost unit of German soldiers is looking forshelter in a remote, snowy small
village in the Ukraine. They got separated from their company during battle and now they are deep within enemy territory cut off from the German troops. The soldiers have to make a stop in the village in order to get provisions and transport so that they can join their troops again - maybe a very dangerous thing to do. HEAR THE SILENCE is a parable about the loss of innocence during times of war that results in brutal preventive actions. People get trapped in an unstoppable circle of violence. Director Ed Ehrenburg in attendance. 
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German Short Films 2
(Germany, Drama & Comedy, 90min)
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German Short Films 2
Wednesday November 9th, 9:30pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N. $10 General Admission Under Pressure (Lilli Schwabe)
On Air (Robert Nacken) Canadian Premire Pitter Patter (Christoph Rainer) Mikelis (Marc Bethke) 
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Chasing Valentine
(Canada, Drama / Thriller / Romance, 86min, Navin Ramaswaran)
Proceeded by the music video Loving, Leaving
Robin Blanchard
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Chasing Valentine
Thursday November 10th, 6:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Chasing Valentine
Unable to get over the tragic loss of the love of his life, and stuck with a day job of editing adult videos, Chase meets an unlikely ally - a call girl (Valentine) who works under the various personas she has created for herself. Is Chase ready to uncover Valentine's dark secrets? Navin Ramaswaran is a long-time HFF Alumni and will be in attendance. Loving, Leaving (Canada, Music Video, 4min, Robin Blanchard) In the city of Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada, there lives a a young musician somewhere hidden in the frozen flats of ice and snow. His gentle songs, story and his beautiful personality brought a warmth to my life that I wanted to capture. In an attempt to do so, this is a live recording of Nic Dyson playing "loving, leaving" and video of him playing it in several locations across his home town, Winnipeg. 
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Animated Shorts
(Various, 75min)
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Animated Shorts
Thursday November 10th, 7pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission This program is not for children. Viewer discretion advised. With introduction and Q&A by Colin Doncaster (Peregrine Labs)
Lila (Argentina, Carlos Lascano) A Bumpy Ride (USA, Chang Shu) In The Distance (Germany, Florian Grolig) My Baba's Kitchen (Canada, Stephanie Turenko) Anima Radix (Australia, Fernando Silva De la Cruz) Cure (UK, Peter Baynton) Blind Eyes (USA, Yifan Hu) Umbrella Girl (USA, Monika Norcross-Cerminara) The Wind (USA, Jinyue Wan) Weather the Storm (UK, Peter Baynton) After Work (China, mengna Lei) Drown or Swim (UK, Rebecca Meilak) Only Lovers Leave to Die (Canada, Vladimir Kanic) MayHam (Canada, Samantha Tan) Obsolescence (Canada, Andrea Cristini) A Lighthouse in Breaking Waves (UK, Cheryl White) Land of Laos (USA, Peter Chanthanakone) 
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Drama Shorts 1
(Various, 102min)
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Drama Shorts 1
Thursday November 9th, 8:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Dog Days (UK, George Taylor)
This Modern Man is Beat (USA, Alex Merkin) The Age of Unreason (French, Christophe Louis) Getting Fat in a Healthy Way (Bulgaria, Kevork Aslanyan) Whale Valley (Denmark, Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson) Hear Me (France, Nicolas Coquet) 
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24 x 36: A Movie About Movie Posters
(Canada, Documentary, 83min,Kevin Burke)
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24 x 36: A Movie About Movie Posters
Thursday November 10th, 9:30pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Through interviews with art personalities from the past four decades, 24 x 36 examines the birth, death and resurrection of illustrated movie poster art.
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There is No Undo
(Canada, 90min, Thriller, Simon Winterson)
THERE IS NO UNDO
Thurday November 10th, 10:30pm - Tickets
Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
Thurday November 10th, 10:30pm - Tickets
Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
When odd events start to occur around her, Laila starts to question some of the actions and comments she has made amongst friends and peers . The appearance of a ominous stranger and a new female friend makes her question them even more.
Be careful what you wish for ...
There is no undo
Be careful what you wish for ...
There is no undo
The Family
(China, Drama, 282min, Shumin Liu)
CANADIAN PREMIERE
Filmed in 35mm, presented digitally
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The Family
Friday November 11th, 12noon - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Chinese with English Subtitles Please note this movie is almost 5 hours long. Liu and Deng are a couple both in their 70s who have been married for nearly half a century and live in a small inland city of China. The family of Liu and Deng is a typical ordinary family of China. The eldest daughter Liqin,divorced with a teenage son,lives with them. The second daughter Xiaomin and youngest son Xujun live in two other big cities far away from home, who are both married and have their own families in each city. Xiaomin and Xujun are too busy with their work to come home visiting parents. The old couple have to travel a long way to visit the kids.
Although the family are separated in three cities with long distances in between,the old couple are doing everything they can to keep the family tied together. The family is the sole purpose of their whole life. This film records a special one of the old couple's travels. Through the details,you will get to know them and their family, and understand their attitudes toward family and life. 
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Restoring Tomorrow
SPECIAL PREVIEW
(USA, Documentary, 75min, Aaron Wolf)
Preceded by the short film Kapunka
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Restoring Tomorrow
Friday November 11th, 1pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Director Aaron Wolf in attendance. He is a 3x HFF alumni and won the 2013 Audience Choice Award for his film Guest House. Religious institutions through history have always formed the bedrock of American communities. Today they are losing members and even closing their doors at an alarming rate. Director Aaron Wolf's personal journey of rediscovery comes alive in Restoring Tomorrow. The film tells the story of a Los Angeles treasure, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, built by the original Hollywood moguls, its near demise and its determination to achieve the impossible--raise $150 million to restore its majesty and vibrancy, thus also restoring the future of the Jewish community, the greater Los Angeles community--and on a personal level, Wolf himself. Kapunka (Israel, Short, 12min, Tal Greenberg) When Israeli law pushes Shmulik's back to the wall, he decides to take matters into his own hands. What he can't foresee is the comical farce his life will become when everything turns topsy-turvy. 
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Drama Shorts 2
(Canada, Various, 108min)
All films from the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area
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Drama Shorts 2
Friday November 11th, 3pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Filmmakers in attendance *Filmed in Hamilton On the Line (Canada, Sean Menard)
Mariner (Canada, Thyrone Tommy) *How Sweet and Sad and Strange (Canada, Travis Hayden-Rowe) Dorothy's Secret (Canada, Matthew MacFadzean) Adorn (Canada, Elizabeth Melanson and Mouna Traoré) Stir (Canada, Niara Modi) Reservation (Canada, Matthew Willson) 
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Play Your Gender
(Canada, Documentary, 90min, Stephanie Clattenburg)
Hamilton Premiere
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Play Your Gender
Friday November 11th, 3:30pm - Tickets Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, Heritage Room $10 General Admission Play Your Gender is a documentary with Kinnie Starr about the gender divide in the music industry. Only 5% of music producers are women even though many of the most bankable stars in the industry are female. Under these conditions, what does it for a woman to make it in music?
Featuring Kinnie Starr, Melissa Auf de Maur, Lily Frost, Chantal Kreviazuk , Sara Quinn and many more Kinnie Starr in attendance! 
Sponsored by Hamilton Musician Media
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Peelers
(Canada, Horror, 95min, Sevé Schelenz)
Year By The Sea
(USA, Drama / Comedy, 114min, Alexander Janko)
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Year By The Sea
Friday November 11th, 7pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Hoping to reclaim who she was before marriage and children, an empty nester retreats to Cape Cod where she embarks upon a quest to set herself free.
Starring Karen Allen, Yannick Bisson, S Epatha Merkerson, Michael Cristofer and Celia Imrie. Director / Composer Alexander Janko and Producer Laura Goodenow will be in attendance. An award-winning writer/director/composer, ALEXANDER JANKO’s repertoire spans the music, literary, stage, TV and film industries. A graduate of Princeton, he has worked on more than 65 major motion pictures, including the Oscar-nominated ANASTASIA and Grammy-nominated MAN ON THE MOON. A career milestone, he composed the score for the indie sensation MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, the highest grossing romantic comedy in history. As a writer, he has penned a one-act stage play and five screenplays, including HOME TOWN, which became a semifinalist in Final Draft's "Big Break" competition. YEAR BY THE SEA is his feature film directorial debut. 
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The Red Maple Leaf
(Canada, Thriller, 132min, Frank D'Angelo)
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The Red Maple Leaf
Friday November 11th, 7pm - Tickets The Zoetic, 526 Concession St $12 General Admission The short film Schrodinger's Cat (Canada, Bobby Del Rio) will play before the feature film. On a seemingly worry-free Ottawa morning, young Jenni Adams, daughter of U.S. Ambassador Patrick Adams, is snatched from right under the nose of her Secret Service detail. The blatant act has left the American authorities searching for answers with powerful pressure coming at them from every side. From senators all the way up to the President of the United States, the hunt is on to find this girl alive and return her to her family.
While two nations fight over jurisdiction as the case grows cold, seasoned RCMP veteran Alfonso Palermo puts everything else aside, his emotions, his alcoholism, his tact, to step up and search for the little girl and return her to her very powerful Washington-elite family. Starring Frank D'Angelo, James Caan, Robert Loggia, Martin Landau, Paul Sorvino, Mira Sorvino, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Pare, Margot Kidder, Daniel Baldwin, Armand Asante, Eric Robert, Doris Roberts, Ellen Dubin, Tony Nardi and Marc Blucas 
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LGBTQ Shorts!
(Canada and International, Various, 101min)
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LGBTQ Shorts!
Friday November 11th, 9pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Nudity / Violence Jadon (Canada, Abraham Bankole)
Homeschool Reunion (USA, Matt Ritchey) Still Closed (Canada, Mark Datuin) Occupy Me (USA, Adam Fitzgerald) Ecstasy (Canada, Kyle Reaume) Flush (Canada, Maisie Jacobson) True Colours (Australia, David Valent) No Matter Who (France, Anne-Claire Jaulin) Penrose Triangle (UK, Michael Boucherie) 
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Thrills and Chills!
(Local, Canadian and International Shorts, Various, 97min)
Thrills and Chills!
Friday November 11th, 9:30pm - Tickets
Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
$25 All-Night Thriller 3-Pack - BUY
Friday November 11th, 9:30pm - Tickets
Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
$25 All-Night Thriller 3-Pack - BUY
*Footprints (Canada, Kevin Saychareun)
*Infirmity (Canada, Kyle Hytonen and Derek Lukosius)
The Monster (UK, Bob Pipe)
Hidden Window (Canada, Greg Jackson)
Empty Bed (USA, Brandt Shandera)
Cover Up (Canada, Spencer Ryerson)
Surgery (UK, The Clemens Bros)
*Hamilton Films
*Infirmity (Canada, Kyle Hytonen and Derek Lukosius)
The Monster (UK, Bob Pipe)
Hidden Window (Canada, Greg Jackson)
Empty Bed (USA, Brandt Shandera)
Cover Up (Canada, Spencer Ryerson)
Surgery (UK, The Clemens Bros)
*Hamilton Films
Under the Sun
(Ukraine, Experimental Drama, 95min, Igor Parfenov)
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Under the Sun
Friday November 11th, 11:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Viewer discretion strongly advised This epic film has three chapters "The Lawlessness", "The Revolution", "The War" and tells about a man’s destiny in Ukraine.
This story is told with Black and White images juxtaposed with jarring sequences, this is an experimental film that is not to be missed. 
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Be My Cat: A Film For Anne
(Romania, Horror, 87min,Adrian Țofei)
CANADIAN PREMIERE
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Be My Cat: A Film For Anne
Friday November 11th, 11:59pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission $25 All-Night Thriller 3-Pack BUY A young man in Romania goes to shocking extremes to convince Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway to star in his film.
PLOT SUMMARY: Obsessed with making a movie with Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway, a young man in Romania goes to shocking extremes using three local actresses to shoot scenes from the movie to send to Anne as proof of his filmmaking and acting skills. 
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The Paper Store
(USA, Drama, 97min, Nicholas Gray)
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The Paper Store
Saturday November 12th, 1pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Annalee is an academic ghostwriter. A freelance cheat working in the shadows of a college campus.
Or rather, she was, until Sigurd books her for the entire semester. He's subcontracting his entire graduate degree. She has reservations, but he’s paying double. Besides, she can't resist the challenge. “Admit it... You ever try to lift an entire degree?“ Annalee and Sigurd become lovers. But things turn sour. 'It's been all Simpsons and dirty sex.' She can't end the romantic relationship without ending the business one. Secrets start to spill out. Sigurd has been recording their meetings. When he won't explain, Annalee rats him out to Professor Kane. But instead of the swift justice she envisioned, Kane has his own idea of what should happen next. Call it extortion, call it blackmail. Whatever you call it, the ugliness is just beginning... Nicholas Gray in attendance. 
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Doc Shorts
(Local and International, Various, 110min)
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Doc Shorts
Saturday November 12th, 3pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Art of a Lost Trade (USA, Mary Gerretsen)
Pretty Dangerous (Canada, Dan Laera) The Echoes of Chloe Cooley (Canada, Andrea Conte) *Looking For Inclusiveness: David's Story (Canada, Colin Baxter) FANTASSÚT / Rain on the borders (Canada, Directed by Federica Foglia - Produced by Deepa Mehta) *Calling Occupants Canada, Mitch Fillion) *Filmed in Hamilton 
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Second Spring
(Italy, Drama / Romance, 107min,Francesco Calogero)
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Second Spring
Saturday November 12th, 6:30pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 25 Dundurn St. N $10 - General Admission A return to life for Andrea, a 50-year old architect, thanks to a meeting and a garden. While looking for new tenants for his seaside villa, surrounded by a big garden, Andrea meets Rosanna, anaesthesiologist at the local hospital, married to Riccardo, ten years her junior: an aspiring writer, who at the moment is employed as a salesman at a local shoe store. During an eventful New Year's Eve, Andrea introduces Riccardo to a Maghreb restaurant owner - who is interested rehabbing an attic apartment - and his lovely sister Hikma. Andrea discovers that Hikma is pregnant with Riccardo's child and of the subsequent difficulties facing her old-fashioned, fundamentalist brother. He offers to help the couple and let them stay with him in his villa...
Francesco Calogero and Domenica Arfuso in attendance from Italy. 
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Comedy Shorts
(Local, Canadian and International, Various,91min)
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Comedy Shorts
Saturday November 12th, 7pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission This program sells out every year Divorce Photographer (Canada, Christine Buijs)
Beat Around the Bush (Canada, Brianne Nord-Stewart) Love Stinks (Canada, Alicia Harris) *Face Wash (Canada, March Mercanti) Love (Germany, Nicolai Tegeler) Fox Trouble (Canada, Sam Coyle) *Third Wave (Canada, James Orr) Whole Lotto Love (Canada, Chris Strikes) Orange You Gonna Dance With Me? (USA, Mary Gerretsen) L'Encenedor Quàntic (Spain, Pau Escribano) ET TA PROSTATE, ÇA VA? (France, Cécile Rousset and Jeanne Paturle) The Spot (Canada, Shelly Findlay and Miranda Edwards) 3-Way (Not Calling) (Canada, Molly McGlynn) 
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HFX 72-Hour Film Challenge Screening
Judged by Academy Award® winner Colin Chilvers (Superman)
FILMED in HAMILTON
WORLD PREMIERES
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HFX 72-Hour Film Challenge Screening
Saturday November 12th, 7pm - Tickets The Zoetic Theatre, 526 Concession St $10 General Admission Teams were given a set at Digital Canaries, a special effect by MaxFX, Special Effects Make-Up by Carlos Henriques of The Butcher Shop and had 72 hours to complete their film. We present the films for the first time on this evening!
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Dark Comedy Shorts
(Canadian and International, Various, 111min)
Viewer Discretion Strongly, Strongly Advised
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Dark Comedy Shorts
Saturday November 12th, 9pm - Tickets Elaine Mae Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Welcome to Delish (Canada, Jonathan Choi)
The Lock-In (UK, Will Norris and Craig Gallivan) Canadian Premiere Kaddish! (France, Emeline Castaneda) Random Attempts (Cyprus, Vasvi Çiftçioğlu and Doğuş Özokutan Çiftçioğlu) Ontario Premiere #MurderSelfie (UK, Tobias Tobbell) Must Escape (Ukraine, Vadym Shapran) Just Desserts (UK, Michael Yanny) Farm is a Four Letter Word (Canada, Ryan Couldrey) Christmas Evil (Canada, Michael Peeling and Braeden Gosse) Time Portal Glory Hole (USA, Jason Petrovitch) Little Dougie (Canada, Steven Cerritos) World Premiere 
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Scratch
(Canada, 95min, Dark Comedy / Action, Maninder Chana)
Preceded by the short film Hotel Room
(Canada, 7min,Drama,Bobby Del Rio)
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Scratch
New Date, Time and Location! Saturday November 12th, 9:30pm - Tickets The Zoetic, 526 Concession $12 General Admission Action and dark comedy collide when the perfect heist goes inexplicably wrong, leaving a young woman trapped with mobsters and goons headed her way to claim what remains of a 30-million dollar loot. Hotel Room Two lives change forever in a Hotel Room Filmmakers for both films in attendance. 
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Generation Wolf
(Canada, Dramatic Thriller, 90min, Christian de la Cortina)
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Generation Wolf
Saturday November 12th, 9:30pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission Vincent del Toro is part of the Generation Wolf. A generation of ambitious people whose dreams are bigger than their fears. Nothing will stop them from achieving their goals. Vincent took the risk to found his own company, Del Toro Green Motors, in sunny California. His company specializes in refurbishing vintage cars and converting them into electric cars. When a problem arises with the licensing bureau, Vincent is suddenly blocked from selling his cars, jeopardizing his business and putting the family home at risk of being seized.
Determined to avoid bankruptcy, Vincent returns home to Michigan to look for a solution. With seemingly no other options available, Vincent becomes involved, with an old friend, in a quick marijuana grow-up inside the family barn. By doing so, Vincent could solve his financial problems. Crossing the line appears to be an easy way out. However, as Vincent falls deeper into the criminal world, he soon realizes that his situation is becoming more dangerous than he ever imagined. But as a wolf, he will have to find a way to survive. Christian de la Cortina, cast and crew in attendance. 
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Family Shorts
(Canadian and International Animated and Live Action, 54min)
Perfect for families!
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Family Shorts
Sunday November 13th, 10am - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $6 General Admission $20 Family of 4 Lola The Great (USA, Lydia Dullinger)
The Fork (Canada, Cory Maddalena) Raven Steals the Light (Canada, Daniel Foreman) Umbrella Girl (USA, Monika Norcross-Cerminara) Weather the Storm (UK, Peter Baynton) My Babas Kitchen (Canada, Stephanie Turenko) The Candy Girl (Canada, Joshua Costea) 
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Film Club Films
Movies made by local film clubs and youth
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Film Club Films
Sunday November 13th, 11:30am - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $6 General Admission $20 Family of 4 HCA Kidscrawl Film
Orange Support B.A.R.F. *Weenis - Rock Band Class / Avalon Music Academy Factory Media Centre Films: *Sushi *The Break Up *In The Mourning *Last Latte *Stand Up For Steel *Secrets *Panic *Filmed in Hamilton 
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Milton's Secret
(Canada, Family Drama, )
Hosted by CHCH
Producer Fred Fuchs will introduce the film.
Q & A with the filmmakers following the film.
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Milton's Secret
Sunday November 13th, 2pm - Tickets The Zoetic, 526 Concession St $10 General Admission $36 Family of 4 Twelve-year-old Milton Adams (William Ainscough) feels his world is in crisis. With his parents (Mia Kirshner & David Sutcliffe) stressing about their careers and finances, and the neighborhood bully (Percy Hynes-White) tormenting him, he is constantly anxious. But when Milton’s optimistic Grandpa (Donald Sutherland) comes to visit, he learns the secret to finding true happiness from a man who has seen the world and who has committed to living life in the ‘now’.
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The Land of Rock and Gold
(Canada, Drama Mystery, 90min, Daniel Redenbach & Janine Windolph)
Land of Rock and Gold
Sunday November 13th, 3pm - Tickets
Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
Sunday November 13th, 3pm - Tickets
Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N
$10 General Admission
In a remote woodland community, a young Indigenous mother and her 7-year-old son find themselves on the run in the wake of the mysterious disappearance of her boyfriend.
Awards Ceremony + JUXT
Sun Nov 13th, 7pm
Staircase Theatre
Admission is PWYC at the door only.
We welcome any donation big or small. It takes a tremendous amount of resources to put on a festival this size.
We will also gladly accept food donations for the Eva Rothwell centre.
We welcome any donation big or small. It takes a tremendous amount of resources to put on a festival this size.
We will also gladly accept food donations for the Eva Rothwell centre.
Awards for Jury Choice, Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Music, Best Student, Sparquie The Squirrell
Truly Independent Award
This year's Truly Independent award will go to Colette Kendall, Hugh McLeod and Kathy Garneau a.k.a The Staircase!
If it wasn't for the dedication and support from these three people, the Hamilton Film Festival would not have made it past year one.
They operate independently and yet support so many great artists and organizations.
We are extremely proud to offer them this award!
Previous recipients: Eves Raja, Craig F. Watkins, Ken Turner, Robert Ezergailis, Katie and Joanne Uhlmann
This year's Truly Independent award will go to Colette Kendall, Hugh McLeod and Kathy Garneau a.k.a The Staircase!
If it wasn't for the dedication and support from these three people, the Hamilton Film Festival would not have made it past year one.
They operate independently and yet support so many great artists and organizations.
We are extremely proud to offer them this award!
Previous recipients: Eves Raja, Craig F. Watkins, Ken Turner, Robert Ezergailis, Katie and Joanne Uhlmann
What is JUXT?
JUXT is an HFF original series that is entering it's 8th year. Each year a filmmaker is asked to create a short film and leave it open ended. The following year, a new filmmaker picks up the story where it left off. During the awards we will show every instalment including the newest JUXT 8, by local filmmakers Camp 905!
JUXT Makers 1-7: Ken Turner & Paul J. Boresky, Jason Hofing, Craig F. Watkins, Jeremy Major, Brian Berneker, Kyle Hytonen, Lee Skinner.
JUXT is an HFF original series that is entering it's 8th year. Each year a filmmaker is asked to create a short film and leave it open ended. The following year, a new filmmaker picks up the story where it left off. During the awards we will show every instalment including the newest JUXT 8, by local filmmakers Camp 905!
JUXT Makers 1-7: Ken Turner & Paul J. Boresky, Jason Hofing, Craig F. Watkins, Jeremy Major, Brian Berneker, Kyle Hytonen, Lee Skinner.
The Sublet
(Canada, Guelph, On, Thriller, 82min, John Ainslie)
ONTARIO PREMIERE - Closing Film
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The Sublet
Sunday November 13th, 8:30pm - Tickets Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N $10 General Admission |
Joanna, a new mom coping with her baby in an odd sublet apartment as her husband neglects her to focus on his career. Joanna begins to question her sanity as she suspects that the building is haunted. As the walls literally close in on her, she discovers a violent past to the apartment, but is it postpartum depression or does this building want Joanna to give the most ultimate sacrifice?
Producers Black Fawn Films have been participating at the Hamilton Film Festival for years, they have filmed in Hamilton and are an amazing team from Guelph, Ontario.
Producers Black Fawn Films have been participating at the Hamilton Film Festival for years, they have filmed in Hamilton and are an amazing team from Guelph, Ontario.
