‘Cool, clean, compelling’ film festival moves online for 11th iteration

February 8, 2021

It may have Manitoba’s capital in its name, but anyone anywhere will be able to attend this year’s Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival as it moves online for 2021. The 11th annual festival, which bills itself as cool, clean and compelling, takes place Sunday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 28. It will feature more than 50 films from around the world. In a video on the festival’s website, Paul Boge—the festival’s founder and coordinator—muses about whether or not now is the right time for a film festival. “It’s been a very challenging year, and in some cases, it’s been a very sad year as well,” says Boge, a member at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, where the festival is usually held. “I would argue that now is the best time to have cool, clean, compelling films that will encourage you and inspire you in your life.” This year’s lineup includes I Am a Mennonite, a new documentary by Winnipeg filmmaker Paul Plett; and The Science-Fiction Makers, a documentary about authors Victor Rousseau Emanuel, C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L’Engle. The latter film was written and directed by Andrew Wall, whose previous work include documentaries about the SS Volendam, filmmaker Otto Klassen and musician Steve Bell. This year’s Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival will also feature recorded discussions with filmmakers. Attendees will be able to access all of the films for just $10. For full details and to register, visit winnipegfilmfestival.com.

—Aaron Epp

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