ViewFinders
Produced by the Atlantic Film Festival, the 11th annual ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth - a week-long festival of film, video and media for youth in greater HRM - presents three Gala screenings for the event, April 15 – 21.
Festival screenings kick off on Sunday, April 15th at 6 p.m. at Empire 8 Park Lane with the Opening Gala film, Undefeated (2011). Winner of the 2012 Academy Award in the Documentary Feature category, this inspiring documentary film, set in inner-city Memphis, chronicles the 2009 season of the severely underfunded and underprivileged Manassas Tigers as they try to make the playoffs for the first time in the high school’s 110-year history. Focusing more on creating winning young men than winning football games, coach Bill Courtney has fielded a team that seems poised to reverse its fortune and finally end the playoff jinx.
In advance of the screening, attendees can participate in the Pre-Opening Gala Popcorn Party at 5:00 p.m. at Empire 8 Park Lane. Be one of the first 50 to arrive and receive a free bag of popcorn. All ages are welcome but spaces are limited. The Opening Gala is presented by Empire Theatres.
The Green Screen Gala, taking place on Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Empire Theatres Dartmouth Crossing, presents Disney Nature’s true-life adventure film, Chimpanzee (2012). Film-goers will go deep into the forests of Africa and meet an adorable young chimp named Oscar. The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimps, who would rather create mayhem than join their parents for an afternoon nap. But when Oscar’s family is confronted by a rival band of chimps, he is left to fend for himself until a surprising ally steps in and changes his life forever.
Complementing this screening is the exciting ViewFinders Green Screen Challenge. Youth, ages 18 and under, have the opportunity to create short films about energy conservation and efficiency relevant to their communities. Finalists and award-winners will unveil their films in advance of Chimpanzee. The
The final Gala screening, titled ViewFinders Productions Gala will take place on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at Empire Theatres Dartmouth Crossing. With support from a range of partners, ViewFinders will present its growing production program. This program takes participating youth through a multi-day intensive workshop and film shoot, in which participants are mentored by top Nova Scotia film industry professionals to tell the stories of their communities through the medium of film.
As part of the ViewFinders Production Gala, featured screenings include: Building Legends 2: The Mawio’mi Project, the second installment of a film series that shares stories, regalia and diverse communities of Mawio’mi 2011- A Culture to Celebrate, A Time to Share.
The Footsteps of Maziiah, a short animated film that tells the story of an 18th century Maroon young woman and her journey of the heart from Jamaica to Nova Scotia
Teachers Make A Difference: Take Three!, three public service announcements made during March Break 2012 by students and teachers under the guidance of professional mentors
Happy Birthday Justine, an original short film that tells the tale of a grandmother’s unique gift to her granddaughter and the special powers it possesses.
The ViewFinders Production Gala is presented by Shaw Media.
Tickets for above mentioned Galas and all ViewFinders films and activities are available now by phone at 902-422-6965 and online at http://www.atlanticfilm.com/festivals/viewfinders/box-office
For a full event schedule and more information, visit: http://atlanticfilm.com/festivals/viewfinders/viewfinders-film-festival/schedule
