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Vox Popular Festival returns to the screen

The four-day film festival features a variety of media art productions, and more than 60 films.
Kelly Saxberg
Kelly Saxberg, founder of the Vox Popular Film Festival, is ready to roll out the red carpet for the 15th annual festival. (Michael Charlebois, tbnewswatch)

THUNDER BAY - A staple entertainment event in Thunder Bay is showcasing ambitious films from the region and around the world.

The Vox Popular Film Festival will take place this weekend, starting on Thursday with a gala and live performances.

“We have films that are hard-hitting and dramatic, films that really touch your heart and make you feel inspired, documentaries about important issues that our facing our communities,’ said festival founder Kelly Saxberg.

The four-day event features a record number of 66 films, 12 of which are produced by local filmmakers, while the remainder features the work of people spanning over 40 countries.

The festival was formerly named the Bay Street Film Festival and debuted at the Finlandia Hall.

Since then, they’ve changed their name and location, but largely remained committed to showcasing the artistic vision of people from Northwestern Ontario and around the globe.

The films are chosen by community curators who select them based on the interest and diversity in the community.

“We’ve really been kind of a visual voice for local stories, our emphasis has always been films for the people and stories from our region,” Saxberg said.

Since the early days, the festival has expanded to encapsulate a broad spectrum of media art productions.

This year, the elements beyond film include virtual reality, live performances, masterclasses, and media art installations.

The films also feature an interactive element, as the people on screen, or behind the camera are available for question-and-answer sessions following the films.

The festival goes from Sept. 12-16, and is held at Trinity Hall on Park Avenue.

Passes for access to the entire festival are $30, while daily passes cost $15, and access to single screenings are available for $8, or via pay-what-you-can policy.

“At the end of the four days, it starts feeling like a family, and we encourage the community to be a part of it.”



Michael Charlebois

About the Author: Michael Charlebois

Michael Charlebois was born and raised in Thunder Bay, where he attended St. Patrick High School and graduated in 2015. He attends Carleton University in Ottawa where he studies journalism.
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