The County Adaptation Film Festival (CAFF) is excited to announce its full programming lineup with five feature films, three free community experiences, two conversations and one giant party with special guests including authors, screenwriters, singer-songwriters and more, as part of their inaugural film festival September 27 – 29, 2024.
“The art of the adapter is often overlooked. We’re changing that by putting screenwriters in the spotlight of our festival. We couldn’t be more proud to be showcasing this curated selection of films, conversations and events with special guests at our inaugural festival in Prince Edward County this September,” said Alexandra Seay, Founding Artistic Director of the County Adaptation Film Festival.
Thomas Napper’s Widow Clicquot opens the festival as a nod to the rich wine heritage of PEC, presented by Harvey Kalles Real Estate Broker with Suzanne White. Special guests for the evening will include New York Times best-selling author Tilar J. Mazzeo whose biography of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot formed the basis of Erin Dignam’s script in a moderated conversation with Eleanor Wachtel. This will be followed by a giant – free – party in Armoury Square next to the theatre, with support from Wentworth Landscapes & Construction and the Picton Business Improvement Association.
Day Two opens with a reflection on Truth & Reconciliation beginning with a musical performance by Jennifer Grant immediately followed by a screening of the Bawaadan Collective’s Mohawk language short film Six Strings and Gord Downie’s The Secret Path, based on the graphic novel by Jeff Lemire. This ticketed event leads off the Pathways to ReconciliACTION series which includes a selection of indigenous-led participatory activities open to the public presented by the Elderberry Fund and supported by the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) and Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) at Macaulay Church Museum and Base31.
The afternoon continues with a programmer’s choice film: Karim Aïnouz’s Firebrand, starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law and adapted for the screen from Elizabeth Fremantle’s novel, The Queen’s Gambit, presented by the Flicker Foundation (Jeremy Guth & Nina-Marie Lister). The next conversation happens in the Closson Chase Vineyard garden between award-winning author Mark Sakamoto and producer David Hamilton as they discuss the development process for Deepa Mehta’s upcoming feature based on Forgiveness. This industry-centric event is an opportunity for local industry to mix and mingle presented by the new Bay of Quinte Film Office.
The day ends on a cheeky note with Spike Jonze’s classic film Adaptation followed by a conversation with best-selling author/screenwriter and Kingston native Iain Reid on the trials and tribulations of page-to-screen metamorphosis.
On September 29, the final day of the festival begins with Tanya Talaga in conversation with Courtney Montour co-writer/co-director of the four-part CBC docuseries based on her latest book, The Knowing presented with support from community partners, the Kingston Writers Festival and Books and Company; and ends with a screening of Ru featuring a post-show discussion between Charles Olivier-Michaud and Catherine Hernandez (Scarborough) on the challenges of adapting traumatic personal narratives for screen, presented by Betty-Ann & Wade Heggie.
Throughout the festival, visitors are welcome at the Festival Lounge at Karlo Estates which features an exhibition of paintings and behind the scenes footage from The Peasants which was presented by the festival at a special screening in May.
“CAFF is a reflection of the PEC community and how we come together to create something special,” said John Galway, Festival Producer. “Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters for helping us stay true to our commitment to the future of the County and desire to showcase it to the world.”
A project of the Regent Theatre in Picton, CAFF is made possible with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and with the support of tourism partners, Stay PEC and Visit the County and numerous other venues, community and programming partners and donors.
The full schedule can be found here on CAFF’s website. Festival passes ($150) are available here until September 15 and provide access to all ticketed festival events. Single tickets ($25/ea) will go on sale September 1, 2024.
About CAFF:
The County Adaptation Film Festival (CAFF) explores the art of adaptation on film, spotlights screenwriters and furthers dialogue for curious minds in the County and beyond.
CAFF spotlights screenwriters and features them in conversation with original creators alongside film screenings. Situated between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in beautiful Prince Edward County – boasting a heritage cinema, gourmet food, award-winning wines and the support of some of the County’s finest hotels and accommodators, the festival promises an intimate and inspiring weekend getaway for our guests.
About the Regent Theatre:
The Regent Theatre Foundation is a registered charity which owns and operates the historic Regent Theatre founded in 1918. The Regent is the oldest and only purpose-built entertainment venue in Prince Edward County. It is a cultural landmark that presents independent cinema, first-run films and a wide range of live events all year round including The County Adaptation Film Festival.
CAFF Partners:
A project of the Regent Theatre in Picton, CAFF is made possible with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and with the support of its venue partners, The Armoury, Base31, Closson Chase Vineyard, The Eddie, Karlo Estates and Macaulay Heritage Park. CAFF’s presenting partners are the Bay of Quinte Film Office, Betty-Ann & Wade Heggie, the Elderberry Fund, the Flicker Foundation, Suzanne White with Harvey Kalles Real Estate Brokers, Picton BIA and Wentworth Landscapes and Construction. CAFF’s programming partners include County Stage Company, The Department of Illumination, the Kingston Writers Festival, Prince Edward County Arts Council, the Downie-Wenjack Fund and Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO). CAFF is thrilled to have its’ accommodation partners, The Royal Hotel and Merrill House this year alongside its’ tourism partners Stay PEC and Visit the County, its’ community partners Books & Company, the Prince Edward County Public Library and County Transit as well as its’ media partners, 99.3 County FM, the Picton Gazette and The Wellington Times.
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