Staff
The Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF) brings four internationally acclaimed and award winning films to Meaford Hall each Labour Day weekend.
August 28-31 marks the 8th edition of this popular festival. New for 2014 is the addition of MIFF Meals, featuring delicious dinners catered by local chefs in the party tent prior to each film.
64 tickets are available for each evening – but they are selling out quickly. Meal tickets are $35 each and can be used on their own or as a complement to a Film Pass. Catering the meals and generously providing appetizers for the traditional after-parties are George’s on Main, The Dam Pub, The Kitchen and The Leeky Canoe. Each carefully chosen menu is now available for your consideration online at meafordfilmfest.ca.
For anyone who misses out on a dinner ticket but would still like to mingle prior to a screening, the cash bar in the MIFF party tent will be open to the public from 5-7pm throughout the festival.
Films being shown this year: The Selfish Giant, Finding Vivian Maier, The Broken Circle Breakdown, and The Lunchbox.Each award-winning film will draw the viewer into a world completely different from their own; each is completely different from the next.
The Selfish Giant (August 28) is a contemporary fable about 13 year old Arbor and his best friend Swifty. After meeting an unscrupulous local scrap dealer they enter a new and dangerous world of crime. Full of unexpected beauty, the film features astonishing performances from its young leads.
Finding Vivian Maier (August 29) is a stunning documentary about a fiercely independent, reclusive nanny who died in obscurity and is now considered one of the 20th century’s greatest street photographers, after filmmaker John Maloof purchased some unlabelled boxes of negatives on a whim at a Chicago auction.
The Broken Circle Breakdown, (August 30) set in Belgium, gives a powerful look at love at first sight, the impact of tragedy on human bonds and the redemptive quality of music. The amazing bluegrass soundtrack has been widely acclaimed and will truly wow music lovers.
The Lunchbox (August 31) explores what happens when a single lunchbox goes astray. After preparing a new recipe for her husband’s lunch, neglected Mumbai housewife Ila is curious about his lack of reaction. She slips a note in the following day’s lunchbox. The result is a remarkable film about the unexpected consequences of the unintended recipient’s decision to write back.
Movie trailers, full synopsis of the films and more can be found at meafordfilmfest.ca.
MIFF’s Artistic Director Christopher Thomas says, “As always we try and balance a range of emotions and countries over the four nights, but I’m thrilled that this year in addition to tough issues like Britain’s economic underclass and what happens when love and faith are tested by tragedy, there are also some fascinating mysteries laced into the line up. How did a nanny who shunned the world, photograph the human spirit with such compassion? How did bluegrass music become so popular in Belgium?”
Presented by the Meaford Hall & Culture Foundation, all proceeds from the film festival are used to support local arts and culture projects. The festival is full of extras like special guest interviews, parties after each evening film, and exclusive presentations of short films by talented student filmmakers from the area.
New in 2014: MIFF Meals and MIFF Lounge
This year, MIFF film-goers can enjoy a meal before each of the MIFF films. The MIFF meals will be catered by George’s on Main, The Dam Pub, The Kitchen and The Leeky Canoe. Meal tickets are $35 each and can be used on their own or as a complement to a Film Pass. A limited number are available for each evening and it is strongly recommended patrons purchase early to avoid disappointment. The MIFF Loungewill be open from 5-7pm before each film; cash bar.
Tickets
A variety of ticket options are available to suit all budgets and can be purchased online at meafordhall.ca, in person at Meaford Hall or by phone at 1.877.538.0463. The Film Pass is $29 and covers admission to one evening’s film and the after party as well as a complimentary drink from the MIFF Lounge bar, a chance to win the Trivia Quiz prize basket and the opportunity to vote for the MIFF People’s Choice Award. A Festival Pass, available for $99, provides all of the above for all four evenings. For someone who wants to enjoy only the films, Matinee tickets are available for $15 or pick up a Matinee Pass to all 3 matinees for $40. As always, those who have purchased a Friend of the Foundation membership will receive a 10% discount on film tickets.
MIFF Student Filmmaker Showcase
Three years ago MIFF partnered with the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library and now opens each night with a highlight from the “Grey Bruce Youth Film Festival”. Our focus on young talent has become a key part of the festival.
This year MIFF is also screening a student film that was, for the first time, submitted directly to the festival. It’s an essay by Erica Gulliver on her family farm, it’s history and it’s emotional significance to her and the region. MIFF is also proud to welcome back Alexandra McLaughlin, fresh from her first year in film school. This year Alexandra offers her own take on the “mad men” of marketing. There’s more: Lydia and Annika Dyck offer mad cap chase scenes, and thirteen year old Adrian Wagenaar has put together an amazing piece of animation called “Colours”. The student portion of the film festival is guaranteed to delight patrons with the remarkable talents of our local youth.
Schedule of Events
MIFF Lounge open from 5-7 pm each evening.
Thursday, August 28
5:00 pm MIFF Meal, George’s on Main
7:30 pm Opening Gala
The Selfish Giant
10:00 pm Party
Friday, August 29
2:00 pm The Selfish Giant
5:00 pm MIFF Meal, The Dam Pub
7:30 pm Finding Vivian Maier
10:00 pm Party
Saturday, August 30
2:00 pm Finding Vivian Maier
5:00 pm MIFF Meal, The Kitchen
7:30 pm The Broken Circle Breakdown
10:00 pm Party
Sunday, August 31
2:00 pm The Broken Circle Breakdown
5:00 pm MIFF Meal, The Leeky Canoe
7:30 pm The Lunchbox
10:00 pm Party – Closing Gala
