#FIRSTLOOK: WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL “AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER… THE STORY OF GOODFELLAS” PREMIERE

Thirty-six years after Goodfellas changed cinema forever, Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is thrilled to bring the Canadian Premiere of AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER … THE STORY OF GOODFELLAS, the first feature documentary dedicated to Martin Scorsese’s landmark masterpiece, to this year’s festival. This special screening event will take place Monday, November 2, 2026.

Directed and produced by Lisa Downs and Ashley Pugh, the documentary takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the most influential films ever made, exploring the extraordinary true story that inspired it and the people who brought it to life, including never before seen behind-the-scenes video and photo archive featuring Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci.

WIFF is also honoured to welcome acclaimed actor Lorraine Bracco, whose unforgettable portrayal as Karen in Goodfellas remains one of the most iconic performances on screen. Bracco will join Downs and Pugh at the festival and be celebrated with a Spotlight Award, in recognition of her remarkable career and enduring contributions to cinema. As part of their festival appearance, Bracco, Downs and Pugh will also take part in a special Q&A following the screening.

“Goodfellas didn’t just become a classic, it changed the way so many of us see character and storytelling. Its impact continues to resonate with audiences across generations, who return to the film again and again and discover something new each time,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer, WIFF. “Having this documentary at our festival is a dream come true for me as a lifelong lover of cinema. And to have the incomparable Lorraine Bracco with us makes it even more special.”

“Our six year journey on this film has been a complete labour of love. Really getting to know the people behind Goodfellas and hearing their – often untold – stories has been such an incredible privilege. We cannot wait to bring our film to Windsor International Film Festival for our Canadian Premiere, and having Lorraine there with us as we celebrate her remarkable body of work, is such an honour. We look forward to a truly special evening,” said Lisa Downs and Ashley Pugh, co-directors of AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER … THE STORY OF GOODFELLAS.

Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes material, new interviews with the people who made the film, lived its story and continue to carry its legacy, AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER … THE STORY OF GOODFELLAS offers an unprecedented look at the making and enduring legacy of Goodfellas. The documentary reveals how Henry Hill’s extraordinary true story became the foundation for one of the greatest films ever made and why its influence continues to resonate, inspire and shape popular culture.

Going beyond nostalgia, the documentary celebrates the craft, characters and culture behind one of the most influential films in cinema history and explores the real world that shaped the classic, offering an authoritative portrait of a film that continues to captivate audiences and influence filmmakers around the world.

Interviewees that appear in the documentary (in alphabetical order):

Lorraine Bracco: “Karen Hill”, Goodfellas

Lisa Caserta: Friend of Henry Hill

Kevin Corrigan: “Michael Hill”, Goodfellas

Dan Conte III: Owner, Goodfellas Restaurant

Tony Darrow: “Sonny Bunz”, Goodfellas

Barbara De Fina: Executive Producer, Goodfellas

Bo Dietl: “Arresting Narc”, Goodfellas

Joseph D’Onofrio: “Young Tommy”, Goodfellas

Illeana Douglas: “Rosie”, Goodfellas

Julie Garfield: “Mickey Conway”, Goodfellas

Robert Griffon Jr: Property Master, Goodfellas

Joe Hill: Brother of Henry Hill

Samuel L. Jackson: “Stacks Edwards”, Goodfellas

Glenn Kenny: Author: “Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas”

Ellen Lewis: Casting Director, Goodfellas

Debi Mazar: “Sandy”, Goodfellas

Larry McConkey: Steadicam Operator, Goodfellas

Edward McDonald: “Himself”, & Former FBI Prosecutor

Dennis O’Leary: Former NYPD Officer & NYC Tour Guide

Mathew Perrone: TV & Movie Props Collector

Nicky Petito: Founder, Paisan Con

Nicholas Pileggi: Screenwriter & Author: Goodfellas & “Wiseguy”

Melissa Prophet: “Angie”, Goodfellas

Joseph Reidy: First Assistant Director, Goodfellas

Christopher Serrone: “Young Henry”, Goodfellas

George Sikat III: Queens Location Owner

Mike Starr: “Frenchy”, Goodfellas

Nicholas M. Todaro: Mobin Times & Movie Prop Collector

Elizabeth Weitzman: Author & Film Critic

Barry Wetcher: Still Photographer, Goodfellas

Welker White: “Lois Byrd”, Goodfellas

Johnny “Roastbeef” Williams: ”Johnny Roastbeef”, Goodfellas

Irwin Winkler: Producer, Goodfellas

Kristi Zea: Production Designer, Goodfellas

WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches the community while promoting the creative economy. WIFF2026.com.

The 2026 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation.

Connect with WIFF:
Instagram – @WindsorFilmFest
X – @WindsorFilmFest
Facebook – @WindsorInternationalFilmFestival
Letterboxd – WIFF

#FIRSTLOOK: WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is proud to announce the 10 films nominated for the prestigious WIFF Prize in Canadian Film. This distinguished accolade celebrates outstanding achievement in Canadian cinema and the director of the chosen film will receive a cash prize of $25,000. WIFF takes place October 23 to November 2, 2025.

All 10 nominees will screen at the Festival this fall and the winner, selected by an independent jury of industry professionals, will be announced on October 26.

The nominees for the 2025 WIFF Prize in Canadian Film are:

Compulsive Liar 2 (Menteuse), directed by Émile Gaudreault

The Cost Of Heaven (Gagne ton ciel), directed by Mathieu Denis

In Cold Light, directed by Maxime Giroux

Lovely Day (Mille secrets mille dangers), directed by Philippe Falardeau

Montreal, My Beautiful (Montréal, ma belle), directed by Xiaodan He

Peak Everything (Amour apocalypse), directed by Anne Émond

The Pitch, directed by Michèle Hozer

Shamed, directed by Matt Gallagher

Two Women (Deux femmes en or) directed by Chloé Robichaud

Where Souls Go (Où vont les âmes?), directed by Brigitte Poupart

“This year’s nominated films showcase the remarkable breadth of Canadian talent, from powerful storytelling to striking visual artistry,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer, WIFF. “We’re honoured to showcase these compelling works and look forward to presenting these films to our audience as part of the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film.”

Past recipients of the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film include Who Do I Belong To directed by Meryam Joobeur, 2024; Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person directed by Ariane Louis-Seize, 2023; Riceboy Sleeps directed by Anthony Shim, 2022; and Kuessipan directed by Myriam Verreault, 2019.

WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches the community while promoting the creative economy.windsorfilmfestival.com.

The 2025 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation.

#FIRSTLOOK: “IRENA’S VOW” WINS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD at 2023 WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2023 LiUNA People’s Choice Award is Irena’s Vow, directed by Louise Archambault. This is Archambault’s second People’s Choice Award — she won in 2013 for her film Gabrielle. Archambault is also the first filmmaker to have two films nominated for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film in the same year — Irena’s Vow and One Summer.

To celebrate the audience favourite, WIFF hosted a complimentary community screening of Irena’s Vow on Sunday, November 5 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre.

The runner up and second runner up for the LiUNA People’s Choice Award are American Fiction directed by Cord Jefferson and My Mother’s Men directed by Anik Jean, respectively.

Past winners of the award include: Women Talking directed by Sarah Polley (2022); Prey directed by Matt Gallagher (2019); The Russian Five directed by Joshua Rhiel (2018); Loving Vincent directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman (2017); Maudie directed by Aisling Walsh (2016); Trumbo directed by Jay Roach (2015); and more.

“Louise Archambault’s films have always been loved by WIFF audiences, and we are so pleased to see the LiUNA People’s Choice award going to her this year,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer for WIFF.

WIFF took place from October 26 to November 5. The 2023 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation.

Stay in touch with WIFF via the festival’s Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, or by signing up to receive WIFF news via email by visiting windsorfilmfestival.com.

WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches the community while promoting the creative economy. windsorfilmfestival.com.

#TIFF23: WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR WIFF PRIZE IN CANADIAN FILM

Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) today announced the ten films nominated for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film. The prize carries a cash value of $25,000 and is awarded to the director of the chosen film. All ten nominees will screen at WIFF this fall, which runs from October 26 to November 5, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario.

The nominees were announced earlier today at the WIFF at TIFF Luncheon in Toronto and the prize will be awarded during the festival on Sunday, October 29. The winner will be selected by an independent jury of industry professionals.

This year’s ten nominees for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film are:

BLACKBERRY, directed by Matt Johnson

THE DISHWASHER, directed by Francis Leclerc

FRONTIERS, directed by Guy Édoin

HUMANIST VAMPIRE SEEKING CONSENTING SUICIDAL PERSON, directed by Ariane Louis-Seize

IRENA’S VOW, directed by Louise Archambault

MY MOTHER’S MEN, directed by Anik Jean

THE NATURE OF LOVE, directed by Monia Chokri

ONE SUMMER, directed by Louise Archambault

SEVEN VEILS, directed by Atom Egoyan

SOLO, directed by Sophie Dupuis

“This year’s nominated films are the culmination of artistic visions and storytelling prowess of this country’s remarkable talent,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer, WIFF.​ “Each film is a unique chapter in the evolution of Canadian cinema. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements with the WIFF Prize at this year’s festival.”

In 2022, the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film was awarded to RICEBOY SLEEPS directed by Anthony Shim.

WIFF is a cultural, charitable organization that celebrates the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian and international film and filmmakers. Delivering exceptional experiences through film, WIFF strengthens and enriches the community while promoting the creative economy. windsorfilmfestival.com.