Oakville Festivals of Film and Art

Oakville Festivals of Film and Art is a not-for-profit organization that runs the Oakville Film Festival, as well as special screening and Arts events such as the Sheridan/OFFA Annual Screening series. In its 8th year, the festival is held the third week of June every year, and includes a juried award competition, and an Audience Choice Award. An Industry Summit for the Canadian Film Industry and local filmmakers is held every year in conjunction with the festival, but has also become a year-round event that features industry workshops/panels, decided as professional development for the filmmaking community.[1] To date, the festival has attracted over 17,000 event participants, screened over 343 films, and attracted over 150 industry guests.[2]

As of 2020, the festival has increased its reach to audiences and filmmakers substantially by doing hybrid digital/live screening events.[3] The 2020 year featured the Canadian theatrical Premiere of The Cuban at The Five Drive In in Oakville, as well as many more Canadian and World Premieres.  Almost 70% of the films screened are Canadian and the festival has a reputation for screening the world of local filmmakers from the area, but also of attracting filmmakers from around the world to its June Festival.[4][5] The 7th edition of the festival featured 21 feature films and documentaries, over 42 short films, 3 events, (including a screening of I’m Going to Break Your Heart and a special concert with Canadian Performers Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, as well as 2 days of interactive industry sessions.[2] The event attracted a record number of filmmakers and industry guests and featured record audiences.[2]

The 7th edition of the festival featured 21 feature films and documentaries, over 42 short films, 3 events, (including a screening of I'm Going to Break Your Heart and a special concert with Canadian performers Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida. As well as 2 days of interactive industry sessions. The event attracted a record number of filmmakers and industry guests and featured record audiences.[6]

History

Founded in 2014 by Oakville residents Wendy Donnan, Judah Hernandez and Stephanie Colebrook, Oakville Festivals of Film and Art is going into its 8th year in 2021.[7] OFFA and OFFA Online is a community-oriented festival. They aim to bring the best documentaries, features and short films to cinephiles in Southern Ontario.[8] Each year, for three days in late June, OFFA hosts the Wilson Oakville Film Festival which is Oakville's only independent film festival.

General Information

The Oakville Film Festival, run by Oakville Festivals of Film and Art, presents feature films, shorts and documentaries of famous and award-winning auteurs, as well as the works of local Canadian filmmakers both new and experienced.[9]

OFFA showcases 20 feature-length productions and an equal number of shorts, in which many come from Oakville or surrounding communities.[6][10] OFFA organizes special screening series to raise money, and awareness, for local organizations with which OFFA collaborates on programming.[2][11]

OFFA works with other non-profit organizations for their events and presentations.[2]

Mission

OFFA aims to:

  • Produce outstanding events and initiatives
  • Present thought-provoking productions that explore relevant social issues[12]
  • Incentivize the development and growth of the local film and art industry
  • Gather a enlightened, supportive and analytical audience where new artists may showcase their art

Film Competitions and Awards

Film Awards (Jury and Audience Choice Awards)

  • Best Canadian Feature Film
  • Best Feature Film
  • Best Documentary
  • Best International Short film
  • Best Canadian Short film
  • Best Director
  • Best Canadian Director
  • Best Indigenous Film
  • Best Student Film
  • Best Scriptwriter (or Best Script)
  • Audience Choice Award (Audience Vote)

References
  1. "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  2. "2020 Oakville Festival of Film and Art". Look Local - Oakville and Burlington. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  3. "Taking in a film with the rest of Canada". torontosun. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  4. "Education through Film: 14 must-see BIPOC stories at the 2020 OFFA Film Festival".
  5. Collins, Tyler (2020-06-23). "Best Films from OFFA Online Film Festival". Oakville News. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  6. "8 things to know about the Oakville film festival and its move to an online format". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  7. Brody, Laura. "Oakville Film Festival - CHCH". www.chch.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  8. "Taking in a film with the rest of Canada". torontosun. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  9. "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  10. adm_now. "OFFA Online: Oakville Film Festival". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  11. "Canada's 'Jane Goodall of giraffes' was ignored for decades, because she was a woman. But now she's a film festival star". thestar.com. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  12. "A 'reel' variety of movies on offer at Oakville's upcoming film festival". InsideHalton.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
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