Leave Them Laughing. It's the film that took the Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature at the May 7 awards bash for Toronto's Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (April 29 to May 9, 2010). And it could be the motto for the 17th annual fest, which played to packed audiences even as business slackened at its annual market. The film, by Oscar-winning director John Zaritsky, is about laughing in the face of terminal illness. How to live despite tough odds is a challenge the d...

The 28th annual Vancouver International Film Festival concluded its 16-day run today with the closing gala screening the French film QUEEN TO PLAY (Joueuse), directed by Caroline Bottaro, in the Visa Screening Room at the Empire Granville 7 Cinemas. Director Bottaro was present to introduce the film to the audience.The winners of three juried awards and five audience awards were announced prior to the screening; a fourth juried award was announced previously. More award details and the attendanc...

The Vancouver International Film Festival will present 89 Canadian films in the Festival, fully one-quarter of the more than 350 films presented at this year's VIFF. These films showcase new works from some of our most popular and prolific filmmakers, along with a great crop of new talent. The Canadian line-up includes 20 dramatic and 13 nonfiction feature-length films, six mid-length films and 50 shorts. "The Canadian Images program traditionally includes some of the hottest tick...

CANADIAN IMAGES Audience Favourites, New Faces and Fantastic DocsThe Vancouver International Film Festival will present 89 Canadian films in the Festival, fully one-quarter of the more than 350 films presented at this year's VIFF. These films showcase new works from some of our most popular and prolific filmmakers, along with a great crop of new talent. The Canadian line-up includes 20 dramatic and 13 nonfiction feature-length films, six mid-length films and 50 shorts. “The Canadian Images pro...