I AM ELEVEN

First Canadian Screening in Waterloo Region presented by Social Venture Partners at Apollo Cinema

On May 14, 2015, take in the first Canadian screening of I AM ELEVEN, featuring a Skype Q&A with Australian director,  Genevieve Bailey. "Why 11?” asks The New York Times. “The age was chosen because it is a transition point between childhood and a more grown-up world, and Ms. Bailey captures this beautifully.”

An insightful, funny and moving documentary, Bailey spent several years exploring the lives and thoughts of 11-year-olds around the world, from Australia to Thailand to India. Suitable for all ages, the screening is a fundraiser for Social Venture Partners (SVP) grant making and educational programs. SVP is a global network of local individuals who donate talent, time and money to amplify the impact they have on each local charity they invest in. Its current investees are Strong Start, Kinbridge Community Association, and Hospice of Waterloo Region. You can learn more about the film and SVP at www.svpwr.org.
 

Title Sponsor of this year's MCAP SHORT Shorts Competition

MCAP is a leading independent mortgage financing company providing mortgage solutions for residential and commercial properties. MCAP originates residential mortgages exclusively through the mortgage broker channel as we believe that a professional mortgage broker is a consumer's best option.

As a company, we are committed to giving back to our community in many ways including volunteerism, fundraising and charity partnerships. MCAP is proud to support the Grand River Film Festival and local filmmakers from the Waterloo region and beyond.

For more information about MCAP, please visit www.mcap.com or contact your local mortgage broker.

Waterloo Region Filmmakers advance to top 30 in CineCoup

Top 30 Final Online Voting May 4–8, 2015

Local filmmakers, Adrian Konstant, Jason Green and Mike Wurtz advance to the top 30 in the 2015 CineCoup Film Accelerator!

CineCoup is a disruptive studio model for indie filmmakers to develop market and produce feature films. Filmmaking teams apply to CineCoup with a movie trailer then advance through a selection funnel using CineCoup’s social web platform.

All filmmakers who participate stand to gain valuable audience feedback, social media savvy and a professional pitch package bolstered by fan support. The final five projects will be optioned for development and one will be selected for (up to) $1 million (CDN) in production financing and a release in Cineplex theatres. You can help the Postmen team advance to the Final 15 by reviewing all of their previous mission content.  With the Cinecoup system, you can rate and share all while enjoying new Canadian film content. Many teams are participating right here in Waterloo Region.

The final opportunity for online voting takes place May 4–8, 2015, until 9pm. Be sure to check out the Postmen trailer here.

Lights, Camera, Cinemerge!

This past Sunday, April 26th, we kicked off the 2015 launch of GRFF's educational outreach program, Cinemerge

Designed for people who love movies, Cinemerge will continue to strengthen our local film community over a new monthly film-going series hosted at The Apollo Cinema, followed by an in-depth discussion, film trivia, and post-screening drinks. Open to film students, video professionals, filmmakers, and cinephiles alike, Cinemerge invites you to revel in cinema and meet other film lovers in Waterloo Region. Find out more about next month's get together on our Cinemerge webpage.

3 Must-See Hot Docs Films

By Katie Parkes

1. Raiders! (2015)

Raiders! takes us back to the early 80s, long before YouTube, when a group of then 11-year-olds attempted to create a shot-by-shot remake of their favorite blockbuster of all time: Raiders of the Lost Ark. It took them seven stormy years, using a borrowed camera, DIY sets, and only their imaginations, but now it’s 30 years later, and they're ready to realize their childhood dream. Join them on their filmmaking journey!

2. A Woman Like Me (2015)

In one of this year’s most creatively driven and highly emotional docu-dramas, filmmaker Alex Sichel, relies on her comfortability with storytelling to deal with her devastating breast cancer diagnosis. Weaving herself between roles as director, subject, mother, wife, daughter, and sister, she explores her new and harrowing reality through the lens of a fictional character. 

3. Being Canadian (2015)

Having resided in the United States for the last couple of decades as a writer for shows such as The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory, Alberta-native Robert Cohen decides to explore what it means to be Canadian in this playful and charming doc. Taking off on an epic quest across the nation, asking ordinary people how they view themselves, in an attempt to rediscover Canada’s national identity while eating a lot of poutine. Check it out at the Princess Cinema on Thursday, May 7th at 7:30pm as part of their Canada Film Days.