The Comox Valley International Film Festival (CVIFF) is back 鈥� and better than ever!
Taking place over four days, from April 3 to 6, it celebrates the love of cinema, with award-winning features, and short-films from around the world.
Workshops run by filmmaking professionals will also help build the industry here in the Valley.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 be happier with this year鈥檚 line-up鈥� says Stephanie Rossel, the co-founder of the festival. 鈥淲e鈥檙e particularly proud to be able to bring 鈥楾he Last Showgirl鈥� to the Valley.鈥�
Starring Island-resident Pamela Anderson, 鈥楾he Last Showgirl鈥� will be shown at the Sid Williams Theatre during the Festival鈥檚 opening night gala, on April 3 at 7:30 p.m..
鈥楿niversal Language,鈥� hailed as the best Canadian drama from last year, will headline CVIFF鈥檚 second night, April 4 at 8:00 p.m..
Two additional feature films are the B.C. (Island made) film 鈥楽weet Summer Pow-Wow鈥� and 鈥楾he Way We Speak鈥� will also be highlighted during the Festival.
Along with the features, 30 short films have been selected from filmmakers around the globe.
鈥淭he shorts really blew us away this year,鈥� Rossel says. 鈥淔rom campy horror to emotional family drama, there鈥檚 something for every taste.鈥�
The short films run in four program blocks: two on Friday April 4th (from 11am & 2pm), and two on Saturday April 5, from 11:30 a.m. and 2:30p.m..
In addition to screening some of the best independent films, CVIFF offers filmmaking workshops taught by professionals, and are open to anyone wanting to learn or enhance their skills.
All the workshops take place on Sunday April 6 at North Island College in Tyee Hall.
Script readings, coffee talks with a chance to meet some of the filmmakers and industry professionals, and parties round out the festival's programming.
"We believe that great stories can make a difference," says Rossel. 鈥淏y celebrating our passion for filmmaking, we hope we can help people dream, reflect, cry and laugh.鈥�
Festival passes, day passes or single program tickets can be purchased through the Sid Williams Theatre website: or at their box office.
Festival details can be found at .
