The Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF) is back for its 17th season. Presented by the Meaford Culture Foundation on Labour Day Weekend, MIFF opens Thursday, August 31st, and runs to Sunday September 3, and will include its signature format: 4 Nights, 4 Dinners, 5 Films, 4 Parties, 4 Matinees.
MIFF Artistic Director, Anna den Hengst, has selected five award winning films to be screened at this popular annual festival. Selections from Belgium, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States will be featured over the four day festival at Meaford Hall. Whether you’re into documentaries about incredible people in extraordinary circumstances, appreciate cinematic grandeur, like to laugh, or enjoy learning more about the public figures we all remember, MIFF has something for you.
New for 2023, the festival is featuring a youth-oriented animated film on Thursday afternoon to attract and introduce younger audiences to a film festival experience. Kubo And The Two Strings’ primary message relates to how telling stories breathes life into our thoughts of those who have passed away, ensuring they are never forgotten.
Thursday evening’s feature tells the empowering true story of a young girl who challenges a generations old male dominated competition. This uplifting tale is a sky-high documentary salute to girl power that will offer joy and inspiration for audiences of all ages.
Friday film is a Belgian dark comedy that takes a cartoonish approach to its depiction of workplace discrimination and harassment to go along with its equally cartoonish approach to violence and revenge. It’s the perfect flick for anybody who ever wanted to strangle their boss with their own necktie.
Saturday’s feature provides a dive into the LGBTQ+ world as the youngest son of a Pakistani family takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood style burlesque show and quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman who runs the show. It received a standing ovation after its screening and won the festival’s Jury Prize, as well as the Queer Palm prize for best LGBTQ-themed film.
Finally, closing the festival on Sunday is a film that is a full-frontal assault on the super-rich, and on the capitalist system in general as a couple of young influencers are invited to a luxury cruise ship alongside a group of out of touch wealthy people. The situation takes an unexpected turn when a brutal storm hits the ship, and their worlds are turned upside down. For a complete listing of films and times, please visit www.meafordfilmfest.ca.
Each evening’s screening is accompanied by a film from the Grey Bruce Youth Film Festival and a special guest who will discuss the film. The 4 dinners this year will be catered by some of Meaford and area’s best executive chefs including The Kitchen Catering & Café on Thursday; Culinary Designs Kitchen & Catering on Friday; The Red Door on Saturday; and The Dam Pub on Sunday.
Attending MIFF is an opportunity to see a film that you might normally pass by and share the experience with fellow enthusiasts in the party tent afterwards. More importantly, it is also the Meaford Culture Foundation’s flagship cultural event and fundraiser that generates funds for ongoing capital improvements to the Meaford Hall & Cultural Centre, as well as supporting a wide range of local arts and culture initiatives through its Community Outreach programs.
For more information, please visit www.meafordfilmfest.ca, or to purchase tickets contact the Meaford Hall Box Office at 877-538-0463 or online at www.meafordhall.ca.
