Local audiences might be familiar with the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival (that toured through St. Albert and other communities once or twice) and, of course, the annual Global Visions Film Fest, which has always had a healthy dose of social justice titles on its lineup.
Now, there’s a new kid on the block. Justice 4 Reel, the inaugural social justice film fest put on by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, takes place next weekend. It will feature relevant and important Canadian documentaries dealing with social justice, human rights and grassroots activism. The films, many of which are made by local youth filmmaking talents, will also include critical community conversations between audiences and the filmmakers themselves.
Maigan van der Giessen, the creative lead at the centre, has been working with a number of creative young talents around the city as well as filmmaker David No over the past few years to develop and produce short and long films that tell some real stories that don’t always get screen time in proper movie theatres.
“All of the projects that they were doing had some kind of social justice focus. [This festival] was inspired by our work with one young man in particular but it seemed like a really great space to provide opportunity for other young people too.”
“This is, hopefully, one of many opportunities that these young people will have to screen their films,” she continued, adding that the themes run the gamut from youth poverty, youth suicide and missing and murdered indigenous women.
The fest starts on Friday with seven youth short submissions for the opening night reception. The films will be screened before a panel of judges and prizes will be awarded.
“That will be our local youth feature. I would say it’s the central piece of what we’re trying to do with the festival.”
There are two feature-length screenings, the first of which comes on Saturday. Brothers in the Buddha is the story of a young monk living in Edmonton.
Sunday’s feature is called The Tipping Point: Age of the Oilsands.
“It’s a crucial Canadian human rights issue. It’s about the oilsands and the impact on the Fort Chip community.”
Both screenings will include question and answer sessions with the filmmakers.
The festival will also provide a showcase for justice-focused artists across multiple disciplines including music and visual arts.
All screenings will take place at the Metro Cinema, 8712 109 St. in Edmonton. Admission for each day of the festival is $10 at the door. Call the John Humphrey Centre at 780-453-2638 or visit www.jhcentre.org for more details.
