WIFF 2010   REEL WOMEN. REAL LIFE.   at the Vancity Theatre, Vancouver BC

Opening Night

Saturday, April 17 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

LEGACY and WIDC AWARDS PRESENTATIONS

FEATURE FILM SCREENING: A WAKE directed by Penelope Buitenhuis

RECEPTION FOLLOWS THE SCREENING

(ticket includes complimentary appetizers and one free drink)

Come and celebrate women filmmakers from around the world at this year's Opening Night, beginning at 7:00 pm with the awards presentations and feature film screening of Penelope Buitenhuis' A Wake, followed at 9:00 pm by a reception where you can join us to toast the three BC film making teams who will have received The Legacy Awards , and the recipient of the WIDC Feature Film Award.  Remember to bid on some of the fabulous donations to WIFTV's Silent Auction which will run throughout the weekend.

The Women in Film Festival features strong female characters and stories in films crafted by women in writing, producing, directing, lead acting, or editing roles.  Excited to open and attend the 2010 festival is seasoned Vancouver director Penelope Buitenhuis, who will present her acclaimed feature film A Wake. This poignant mystery, acted entirely on improvisation, stars Nicholas Campbell (DaVinci’s Inquest), Sarain Boylan, who appeared in last year’s opening film The Baby Formula, and Kristopher Turner from Instant Star.

When a theatre group gathers for their infamous directors wake, tension and suspicion enshroud the event. His grieving widow welcomes the thespians to her country house, but soon old rivalries and jealousies erupt. Why did the director die so suddenly? Why is their so much antagonism amongst them? What happened in their last ill-fated production of Hamlet? Over the weekend, the mystery that underlies their strained relationships is slowly revealed as a myriad of secrets and lies are exposed.

ABOUT THE AWARDS:

The Legacy Awards are $3,000 in cash awards, presented by festival sponsor Deboragh Gabler, CEO/Producer at Legacy Filmworks, for outstanding achievement in film during the festival.  Winners from the 4th Annual Women in Film Festival last year were Claudia Morgado Escanilla (No Bikini), Peg Campbell (Your Mother Should Know), and Apama Kapur (Amma). Read all about this year's WIFF 2010 Legacy Award winners ...

The WIDC Feature Film Award, administered by Creative Women Workshops Association, is a $100,000 in-kind award designed to encourage more feature films directed by women in British Columbia, and is supported by some of Western Canada’s most significant companies.  Award sponsors include:  William F White International, Deluxe Vancouver, North Shore Studios, Bridge Studios, Western Post, and presentation sponsor, Women In Film &Television Vancouver.  Read more about this year's Feature Film Award winner ...