The 28th Annual World Community Film Fest is coming up soon in Courtenay

By Keith and Heather Nicol

    A couple of days ago we picked up a copy of the 28^th Annual World Community Film Festival  (WCFF) newspaper at the Sid Williams Theatre box office in Courtenay and began to have a look at what films we wanted to check out for this year. Since we moved to the Comox Valley 4.5 years ago we have taken in the WCFF every year and this year’s lineup looks impressive again.  The WCFF runs February 1 and 2 this year so it is right around the corner and will take place at the Sid Williams Theatre, the Native Sons Hall and the Florence Filberg Centre.  The committee has selected over 30 films dealing with various social justice and environmental issues. It seems like this year there is abit more of a focus on the local Comox Valley and we counted 6 films that deal with our immediate area. We are looking forward to seeing “Flying with Ravens” which takes place at Mount Washington and also “Save Space Nugget” about protecting the forest in around Cumberland. There is even a set of films for children which look interesting for kids of all ages. The Friday night feature film is “Gurrumul” about the music of indigenous artist Geoffrey Gurrumul from Australia. The Saturday night feature film is “Soufra” about a group of women who have launched a catering company in a refugee camp near Beirut, Lebanon. Both sound intriguing! The organizing committee should be commended for searching out these films and organizing this Film Festival. 

The Native Sons Hall is one of the venues for the event

The World Community Film Fest attracts a large following

Since there are 4 venues showing films at the same time you can’t possibly see all the films but the good news is that if you join the World Community you can view the films you didn’t see by borrowing them from the film library at the Bayside Café opposite the Driftwood Mall in Courtenay. There will also be a Community Action Hive (formerly the bazaar) on Saturday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm in the Upper Filberg Hall in Courtenay which is central to where the films are being shown. There is always interesting booths to check out at the bazaar and you can find out how to get more involved in various initiatives right here in the Comox Valley. You can also grab a bite to eat there as well from the Elevate Canteen.  Entry to the Community Action Hive is free and the film festival admission is either $40 for the weekend or you can buy a daily pass for the Friday night feature film ($15) or all day Saturday ($36). You can order tickets on line at: www.sidwilliamstheatre.com. There is even a closing banquet for just $22. This year the meal will be a vegetarian feast with dishes from the West Indies, North Africa, and India. All in all it looks to be a great weekend with films that will inspire as well as raise awareness of what we need to change in the world around us.  For more information on the World Community Film Fest see:http://www.worldcommunity.ca/film-festival/

The Bazaar is well worth attending and you can grab a bite to eat there as well