Notable Premieres and Award Contenders Revealed in Whistler Film Festival’s Full Lineup

27 November 2023 | Source

Whistler Film Festival (WFF) announces its 23rd edition lineup, featuring 97 films from 14 countries. The diverse selection includes 35 features and 62 shorts, with a focus on Canadian talent and perspectives. The festival, running from November 29 to December 3 in Whistler, BC, showcases award-season contenders, breakthrough Canadian features, and mountain adventure films. Notable premieres include Netflix's "MAESTRO" and Ava DuVernay’s "ORIGIN." The event also emphasizes gender equity, with 54% of features and 40% of shorts directed by women. WFF aims to recognize outstanding work, offering over $189,500 in cash and prizes across 16 film and 2 pitch categories.

Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has unveiled the comprehensive lineup for its upcoming 23rd edition, scheduled from November 29 to December 3, 2023, in Whistler, BC. The selection, curated from a pool of over 1,900 submissions, comprises 97 films across 12 program strands, showcasing a global array of perspectives.

Dedicated to supporting Canadian artists, WFF proudly allocates 58% of its film programming to premiering Canadian films, including 66% of features and 75% of shorts. The festival continues its commitment to fostering new talent, presenting works by five first-time feature directors and 26 short films by emerging directors.

WFF's Director of Programming, Paul Gratton, emphasizes the festival's stellar programming lineup, featuring major titles, world premieres, and Canadian premieres. Award contenders, such as Ava DuVernay’s "ORIGIN" and Canada’s official Oscar entry "ROJEK," contribute to what Gratton describes as the festival's "best programming lineup ever."

The festival opens with the Canadian Premiere of Netflix’s "MAESTRO," directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, alongside Carey Mulligan. The event also includes impactful documentaries like "SOLO," which received the Best Canadian feature at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and "ROJEK," exploring the personal stories of individuals associated with the Islamic State.

Additionally, WFF showcases films vying for year-end accolades and recognition, including a newly restored version of Brigitte Berman’s 1985 Oscar winner "ARTIE SHAW: TIME IS ALL YOU’VE GOT." Notable premieres include Todd Haynes' "MAY DECEMBER," "AMERICAN FICTION" directed by Cord Jefferson, and the World Premiere of "THE BURNING SEASON" directed by Sean Garrity.

The festival presents a diverse range of programming strands, including the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature, World Documentary, Sneak Peek, From the Vault, Mountain Culture, Special Presentations, and ShortWork. With an emphasis on recognizing outstanding work, WFF offers more than $189,500 in cash and prizes across various categories. This edition aims to celebrate exceptional filmmaking and provide a platform for global cinematic exploration.