Despite the similarities in name, The ReelWorld Film Festival has nothing to do with unknown celebrities in contrived scenarios as in the MTV television show, but is an annual film festival based in Toronto. Currently in its seventh year, The ReelWorld Film Festival manages to focus both on diversity within films, and the broad range in homegrown Canadian films.

The films this year covered a comprehensive assortment of issues, from í¢â‚¬Å“Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermathí¢â‚¬  an engrossing documentary focusing on the aftermath of 9/11 and told through the eyes of the Sikh perspective, to í¢â‚¬Å“A Winterí¢â‚¬â„¢s Taleí¢â‚¬ , a grim and hopeful drama about gun violence set in Torontoí¢â‚¬â„¢s Parkdale community. Both films were admirable festival award winners.

Other memorable highlights of this film festival were í¢â‚¬Å“Skin Deepí¢â‚¬ , a feature length film directed by Sasha Parizeau, with a plotline so outrageous that I couldní¢â‚¬â„¢t decide whether to laugh or be appalled. As well as í¢â‚¬Å“Dorí¢â‚¬ , a remarkably female positive film, shot in Himachal and Rajasthan and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Although set in India, í¢â‚¬Å“Dorí¢â‚¬  was decidedly not your standard Bollywood love story, but still managed to be a glamorous and idealistic tale.

This year included the Jamaica Spotlight which highlighted films on Jamaican culture. The documentary í¢â‚¬Å“Louise Bennett: Miss Lou Then and Nowí¢â‚¬  centered on the charismatic cultural icon Miss Lou.

Also included in this spotlight was í¢â‚¬Å“A Hard Road to Travelí¢â‚¬ , a sometimes comedic view of the setbacks and ordeals of making Jamaicaí¢â‚¬â„¢s first feature film, the cult classic í¢â‚¬Å“The Harder they Comeí¢â‚¬ , which showed the world a very real view of the hardships of life in Jamaica.

Being a devoted film fan, Ií¢â‚¬â„¢m typically disenchanted by the lack of Canadian choices available. Many Canadian films will come and go in the theatre, if they ever even manage to make it there, with little press and an even more unsubstantial audience. In the beginning I was unsuspecting of what to expect from this festival, but was ultimately inspired by the quality of the films. Ií¢â‚¬â„¢m looking forward to next year!

By Samayi Campbellí‚  

Images:

Top - From Dor - ReelWorld Festival

Bottom - From Divided We Fall - ReelWorld Festival