For its 11th edition, the Canadian Film Fest moved from its previous home of the Royal Cinema to the more centralized downtown location of the Socialbank Theatre, with the festival also extending its length from four days to five. This year’s edition of the festival featured 10 features and 19 shorts, showcasing the up and coming independant filmmakers in the Canadian film industry. Things are only looking up for this festival, which is sure to continue growing in the years to come.
Here are the favourite films I saw at the Canadian Film Fest this year, followed by a listing of the official award winners.
Top Five Features
- The Heretics
- Great Great Great
- Edging
- Filth City
- Broken Mile
Top Three Shorts
- Tuesday, 10:08 AM
- Companionship
- Rainfall
2017 CANADIAN FILM FEST AWARD WINNERS:
BEST FEATURE
Great Great Great
Adam Garnet Jones
BEST SHORT
she came knocking
John Ainslie
PEOPLE’S PICK FOR BEST FLICK
Edging
WILLIAM F. WHITE REEL CANADIAN INDIE
Lost Solace
Chris Scheuerman
DGC BEST DIRECTOR AWARD
Badsville
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Juried by CAFTCAD
Badsville
CANADIAN FILM FEST SPECIAL JURY AWARDS
The 2017 jury consisted of three professionals from different areas of the industry including Alex Boothby (owner of Gang Green Productions), Christine Bujis (Director of Divorce Photographer) and Tim Smythe-Bishop (President, TSB Consulting). They selected the following awards:
BEST COMEDY
Filth City
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Modern Classic
J.M.B. Hunter
BEST SCREENPLAY
Great Great Great
Sarah Kolasky & Adam Garnet Jones
BEST PERFORMANCE – FEATURE FILM
Great Great Great
Sarah Kolasky
BEST PERFORMANCE – SHORT FILM
Parent Teacher
John Phillips
BEST PERFORMANCE – ENSEMBLE
Filth City
BEST BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE
Sunny Side Up
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Lost Solace
Thomas Billingsley
BEST DIRECTOR, SHORT
Rainfall
Efehan Elbi
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE – SHORT FILM
The Cameraman
Director Connor Gaston
Affiliate Ad