A new film festival will launch in Prince Edward County this September bringing a fresh perspective on the movies we love. The County Film Festival puts screenwriters in the spotlight, and features exclusively adapted content. Whether adapted from a book, a podcast, a painting or a song, The County Film Festival is passionate about the art of adaptation and bringing together writers and audiences.
The County Film Festival is a project of Pictonâs Regent Theatre, which is owned and operated by the not-for-profit and registered charity, The Regent Theatre Foundation. The Festival builds on the success of the Regentâs curated Special Screenings which, since re-opening post-pandemic in August 2021, have generated more attendance in single screenings than traditional theatrical runs of films such as AIR and TĂR.
By focusing on adapted content, the Festival has both a niche and a long programming runway that extends from gala screenings to curated conversations, to concerts, master classes, meals and more. But one thing at a time. First, on September 29, 2023 at 7PM ET the Regent Theatre will host the first-ever event of The County Film Festival â programming to be announced later in August.
According to The Regent Theatreâs Executive Director, Alexandra Seay, âOur audience is hungry for engagement, for something more than the story on screen â hearing a filmmakerâs perspective, discussing the film in a meaningful way – having the opportunity to ask questions in an intimate setting makes coming to the movies a unique and memorable experience. Creating a festival is a natural extension of this experience and is particularly important in the current climate of shrinking exhibition windows and changing viewership habits. It is critical for us as an independently owned and operated cinema in a rural community to continue to find ways of growing our audience, and keeping the magic of cinema alive for the next generation.â
âAlexandra Seay has managed to create a festival experience without a festival via her smartly curated presentations at Pictonâs Regent Theatre,â says filmmaker and film critic Brian D. Johnson. âShe didnât just invite me to do a Q&A after showing my film THE COLOUR OF INK, she invited a gifted local filmmaker, Tess Girard, to moderate the discussion. What unfolded was a deep-dive conversation that went far beyond the usual parameters of a Q&A. That’s the kind of experience I associate with a serious film festival, not a one-off screening in a small town.â
âThe County Film Festival builds on this experience by curating conversations between peer artists around the process of adaptation for the screenâ, adds John Galway, filmmaker and Festival Producer. âImagine: Katzuo Ishiguro in conversation with Michael Ondaatje, or Margaret Atwood in conversation with Sarah Polley on the art of adaptation. Who wouldnât want to be a fly on the wall for a discussion between artists of this calibre?â
“The County Film Festival is right at home in alluring Prince Edward County,â says Eleanor Cook, Executive Director @visitthecounty. âThis creative place sets the stage for a memorable weekend enhanced by the backdrop of ripe vineyards in September, chefsâ harvest menus, heritage architecture, bespoke places to stay, punctuated by vivid island sunsets.â
The Festivalâs growing independent advisory committee comprised of industry leaders with connections to the County includes Michèle Maheux, John Galway, Hussain Amarshi, Devyani Saltzman, Tim Smythe-Bishop, and Sol Korngold. From among their ranks John Galway, long-time CEO of the Harold Greenburg Fund and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Toronto Irish Film Festival will take the lead as Festival Producer working alongside the Regent Theatreâs Executive Director and the Festival Artistic Director, Alexandra Seay.
Over the next year, The Regent Theatre will build the Festival staff, infrastructure and a network of community partners beginning with the Royal Hotel, in order to produce the inaugural Festival in the fall of 2024. The full Festival will launch in 2024 as a three-day event to be held annually on the last weekend of September.
âHere at the Royal we believe in supporting our community,â stated Sol Korngold, General Manager of The Royal Hotel in Picton. âWe are incredibly excited to be partnering with our neighbours at the Regent Theatre to build this Festival from the ground up as a signature Prince Edward County event.â
The news of the upcoming film Festival will be celebrated alongside an announcement from Ontarioâs Energy Minister Todd Smith on August 2 at The Regent Theatre (224 Picton Main Street) at 1:30PM ET. To RSVP, please contact angie@route504pr.com.
Whatâs in a name? Everything!
Thatâs why we donât have one yet. It needs to be perfect. And we need your help to find it. âDevour! The Food Film Festivalâ is a great example of a name that perfectly reflects their programming. So whatâs the perfect name for a festival that is about adaptations beyond books? Have your say. https://forms.gle/duEjFbayyeztuva8A
About The County Film Festival:
A film festival completely dedicated to the art of adaptation. The raison dâetre (conceived long before the WGA strike but now quite timely) is to put screenwriters in the spotlight and in conversation with each other. The focus is on adaptations broadly – yes, about books ⌠but weâre thinking bigger. Just imagine – paintings, podcasts, plays and other films. Located two hours outside of Toronto in Prince Edward County â with a beautiful heritage cinema, gourmet food, award-winning wines and the support of a luxury hotel, the Festival promises a top-tier and inspiring experience for our invited guests.
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