The Bay Street Film Festival is supporting the artistic community with films for the people.
For 12 years the Bay Street Film Festival has introduced Thunder Bay audiences to films and filmmakers from across the world by showcasing stories that have brought tears, laughter and inspiration to the viewers.
Festival coordinator Dennis Dubinsky said this year’s festival will feature films from across the globe.
“(The festival) gives us a chance to showcase what’s going on here locally and in the region,” Dubinsky said.
“Also there’s an added bonus of seeing what’s going on around the world, there are films that you’re not going to see at the main stream theatres or even on television.”
Dubinsky added that the festival is a real chance to see what stories are being told around the world.
This year’s festival will feature more than 45 films, installations, performances and master classes taught by six visiting filmmakers from Finland, Mexico, United States and Canada.
For the first time in the film festival’s history there will be a series focusing on 360 degree film making.
“It’s a hands-on experience,” Dubinsky said. “It’s been around for a bit, but it’s making a resurgence and it’s a real neat way to see films, so it gives people a chance to experience that.”
Along with the 360-degree demonstration there’s a new interactive installation by multi-media artist Riaz Mehmood, who has completed his first year as technical coordinator for the festival.
There will also be live performances throughout the weekend, questions and answers with 17 local directors and 12 visiting directors.
“We have about 13 coming from out of town, out of country even, so it’s a chance to really get to know other filmmakers and see what they are doing,” he said.
The festival kicks of next Thursday with a 65-minute documentary entitled A.K.A., a Ron Harper’s film about a Lakehead University imposter.
