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Whistler, BC (October 26, 2022) – Whistler Film Festival (WFF) continues its commitment to gender parity, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the screen industry with its 7th annual Women in Focus series (WIF). This year’s series features a live-streamed conversation with iconic singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, as well as an inspirational keynote from Bones of Crows showrunner Marie Clements.

WIF has been a cornerstone of the Content Summit at WFF since 2016. As the conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion have evolved, this programming continues to push boundaries and provide leadership with inclusive programming. WIF supports collaborative efforts to address the imbalance of representation in media, both on-screen and behind the scenes, to achieve a more equitable, inclusive, gender-balanced and diverse portrayal of society.

The series’ programming consists of an inspirational keynote conversation and forward-thinking industry panels. WIF also includes three talent programs that provide mentorship,  creative feedback and market preparation opportunities for women and non-binary filmmakers.

“Addressing the imbalance of representation in the screen industry has been a mandate of the Whistler Film Festival for many years,” says Angela Heck, WFF Executive Director. “Our advocacy for gender parity has expanded to reflect our overall commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”There is much work to do as we continue to cultivate and champion underrepresented communities in our programs, our stories and in the Canadian media industry at large.”

This year’s WIF Signature Series Artist Tribute program celebrates  Indigenous singer-songwriter and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie with an intimate live-streamed conversation about her life and career, and a screening of the new documentary film, BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON, on Friday, December 2. An Officer of the Order of Canada, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and the first Indigenous person to win an Oscar, Buffy’s incomparable artistic contributions are woven with threads of humanitarianism, environmentalism, survival and love. Buffy will also receive this year’s Whistler Film Festival Luminary Award.

WIF’s keynote, Spotlight on Bones of Crows, also takes place on Friday, December 2. BONES OF CROWS tells the extraordinary and harrowing story of Cree matriarch Aline Spears. As both a feature film and a television series, it is unique in its approach to storytelling. BONES OF CROWS writer, director, and producer Marie Clements will sit down with  producer and Screen Siren Pictures presidentTrish Dolman to discuss how this compelling story was brought to the screen with respect and unflinching truth.

WIFF’s Women in Focus Series is sponsored by The Canada Media Fund (CMF), Creative BC, IATSE Local 891 and ACFC West. The Signature Series is supported by the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

WFF TALENT PROGRAMS

WFF has announced the filmmakers selected for the  WFF Women in Focus Mentorship:

• Sepideh Yadegar (BC) – ONE MUST WASH EYES
• Carmen Pollard (BC) – AT THE PENTHOUSE
• Rhona Rees (BC) – FREYA
• Lori Watt (BC) – LIMBS
• Elodie Venece (BC) – HER WILD WITHIN

Learn more about the Women in Focus Mentorship.

About the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit

From November 30 to January 2, WFF will deliver an in-person and online event with an inclusive program of film screenings, inspiring discussions, awards and networking events that facilitate the human connections we crave and remain accessible to national audiences from the comfort of their homes.

In-person screenings take place from November 30 to December 4. WFF then moves online from December 5 to January 2, 2023. Not all programming will be available online.

Early Bird pricing for Industry Passes, Premium Industry Passes and Online Industry Passes are now available through WFF’s online box office until October 31.

Film passes are also available. To continue to support our filmmakers, 50% of net proceeds from online ticket revenues will be shared with the filmmakers or Canadian rights holders.

The full WFF line-up will be announced on November 2.

Air travel and ground transportation deals are now available as well as discounted accommodation rates with WFF accommodation partners at whistlerfilmfestival.com/stay.

The Whistler Film Festival is funded by the Government of Canada through Telefilm Canada, by the Province of British Columbia and the Resort Municipality of Whistler through the Resort Municipality Initiative. We gratefully acknowledge our major festival sponsors, Creative BC, Variety, the Directors Guild of Canada – British Columbia, Tourism Whistler, RBC, Whistler Blackcomb and William F. White International. Gold sponsors include Canada Media Fund, Netflix and the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA).

Discover more at whistlerfilmfestival.com.

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