DRIFF 2020 Festival Pass
Your online pass to all DRIFF virtual programming during the 2020 festival. BUY NOW
DRIFF DAY 1: true NORTH! Virtual Screenings
Your online pass to all DRIFF Day 1 programming including our true NORTH! program and feature film Percy starring Christopher Walken. BUY NOW
DRIFF DAY 2: International Showcase Virtual Screenings
Your online pass to all DRIFF Day 2 programming including a shorts program, feature film and livestream global discussion. BUY NOW
DRIFF DAY 3: Homegrown Virtual Screenings
Your online pass to all DRIFF Day 3 programming including an Ontario shorts program and a student film showcase. BUY NOW
DRIFF EDU 2020 FESTIVAL PASS
Your online festival pass is good for one classroom to view all three programs — The Black Experience on Film, The Environment & Sustainable Food and Isolation & Coping Strategies — and corresponding speaker discussions. BUY NOW
THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
This pass is good for one classroom to view the DRIFF EDU 2020 Black Experience program and corresponding speaker discussion. BUY NOW
THE ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABLE FOOD
This pass is good for one classroom to view the DRIFF EDU 2020 Environment & Sustainable Food program and corresponding speaker discussion. BUY NOW
ISOLATION & COPING STRATEGIES
This pass is good for one classroom to view the DRIFF EDU 2020 Isolation & Coping Strategies program and corresponding speaker discussion. BUY NOW
Government of Canada supports the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) through the Tourism Relief Fund
Today, DRIFF received a non-repayable contribution of $62,740 from Central Counties Tourism (RTO6) to significantly increase programming and marketing opportunities. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Central Counties Tourism received $8.65 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
DRIFF and Cinechats join forces to bring The Best of DRIFF Shorts to the Biltmore Theatre for a Sunday matinee
The best films are best watched with friends and a beverage, followed by an engaging discussion about the shared experience. It is in that vein that the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) has collaborated with Cinechats founder John Arkelian for an incredible showcase of the best short films submitted to DRIFF. The films will be screened at the atmospheric Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa on Sunday December 11.
DRIFF unveils new DRIFF On-Demand virtual platform for at-home viewing during hybrid festival
The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) returned to venues across Durham Region this past weekend, offering three days of thoughtful, curated, in-person programming from around the globe, with a focus on Canadian and Durham Region productions. The festival continues this week with virtual screenings that will continue through to October 9 on a new On-Demand platform that can be found at https://ondemand.driff.ca.
DRIFF’s 2022 fall festival returns to in-person film screenings, offers film-inspired workshops and a new DRIFF On Demand virtual platform for at-home viewing
After two years of online and drive-in screenings only, The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) returns to venues across the Durham Region September 29 to October 1 offering three days of thoughtful curated in-person programming from around the globe with a focus on Canadian and Durham Region productions. This will be followed by a week of virtual screenings on a soon-to-be unveiled DRIFF On-Demand platform to be revealed at our Media Launch on September 21.
DRIFF wraps summer drive-in series with emerging filmmaker incubator project and Andrew Cividino’s Sleeping Giant
Durham Region International Film Festival's (DRIFF) summer drive-in film series Shifting the Narrative concludes this month with two exciting films by Ontario filmmakers. The screening takes place at DRIFF’s drive-in headquarters at the Town of Whitby Municipal Building (located at 575 Rossland Rd. E.) on Thursday, August 18 at dusk.
Award-winning BIPOC filmmakers bring inspiring stories of underrepresented Canadians to the DRIFF drive-in this July
Durham Region International Film Festival's (DRIFF) summer drive-in film series Shifting the Narrative continues this month with a feature-length thriller and an accompanying short film that, combined, tell stories of generational violence, growing up in the in-between spaces, and negotiating identity as racialized youth in Canada. The screening takes place at DRIFF’s drive-in headquarters at the Town of Whitby Municipal Building (located at 575 Rossland Rd E.) on Thursday, July 21 at dusk.
DRIFF drive-ins return in June with acclaimed Canadian Films
Summer drive-ins are back! This month, the Durham Region International Film Festival explores ideas of Indigenous identity and belonging with two award-winning films by inspiring Canadian directors. DRIFF’s summer drive-in series, Shifting the Narrative, returns to Whitby this summer bringing a feature-length film and an accompanying short film to the big screen on the third Thursday in June, July, and August.
Whitby-raised emerging filmmaker duo wins DRIFF’s $30,000 incubator prize
DRIFF is proud to announce Van Wickiam and his short film ‘Heap’ as the winning submission of its inaugural filmmaker incubator contest. The Shifting the Narrative: Emerging Filmmaker Incubator will provide Wickiam and his team with $30,000 cash, mentoring and in-kind services to produce their film and have it screened at DRIFF’s August 18 drive-in event in Whitby.
DRIFF offers $30,000 plus mentorship opportunities to an emerging filmmaker in the Region
DRIFF is seeking candidates to take part in its first filmmaker incubator, which will provide one emerging filmmaker with $30,000 cash as well as in-kind services to produce a short film that will be screened at DRIFF’s August drive-in event. The chosen filmmaker will also receive mentoring by industry experts.
DRIFF Opens 2022 Submissions with New Strategic Vision
DRIFF is proud to announce filmmaker submissions for its fall festival are now open. DRIFF 2022, running September 29 to October 1, will be the first to be guided by the organization’s newly released strategic plan which aims to connect Durham communities through the power of film.
Get creative with the DESIGN DRIFF 2023 Contest!
This summer we've got a brand new contest for you to show off your design skills, a new blog to help you write the next big comedy, and more!
Warm Weather and May Movies!
All of us at DRIFF hope you enjoyed a glorious long weekend, and that you're ready for our latest updates! Read on to find out about our next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, as well as a 5 Paddles Beer and Film event, a new blog post, and more...
Get ready . . . He Comes at Night is coming to DRIFF in a Jiff!
Can you believe it's spring again? Granted, it hasn't really begun feeling like the seasons have turned yet...so our latest news about indoor film events may be timed perfectly! Read on for details about DRIFF in a Jiff and more.
Durham makes a big splash at the Oscars!
It's a great time to be a Canadian film fan, too, but that's always true! This month we've got updates for you on the next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, details on how to watch 'Stay the Night,' news about an upcoming film industry career fair, a big win for Sarah Polley (and therefore Durham Region!) and so much more.
Welcome back to DRIFF in a Jiff!
The hiatus is over: Our newest blog post is up and DRIFF in a Jiff returns in March!
Happy new year, film lovers!
We're so excited to kick off a brand new year of DRIFF films and events! In this newsletter we'll recap what 2022 held for our fellow movie buffs, and we'll also take a look ahead at what we're looking forward to in the months to come. We're marking Black History Month in February with a celebration of film. There's a cool new Netflix initiative you'll definitely want to learn more about, too. And film submissions for DRIFF 2023 are now open!
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
It's hard to believe that the snow is flying and that joyous time of year is upon us again. We hope no matter which holiday you're celebrating this season, that you have a chance to put your feet up with the ones you love, take some time for you, and maybe even enjoy a festive film or two.
The Best of DRIFF Shorts is here!
If you're looking for a great way to unwind at the movies for an afternoon, join us on December 11 at 3:00 p.m. for a presentation of the Best of DRIFF Shorts. John Arkelian, the founder of Cinechats, has carefully curated a collection of short films for everyone to enjoy, followed by a relaxing combination of refreshments and conversation about what you've just seen.
The Fall Festival continues with our virtual lineup until Sunday!
If you joined us for our in-person lineup last week, thank you so much for supporting the festival. We had a record turnout and the entire experience was so special as we watched filmmakers and movie-goers connect over great films, workshops and panel discussions. We hope you'll join us as we take the remainder of the DRIFF 2022 journey online until October 9 at 11:59 p.m.
What's cooler than film?
As we enter the dog days of summer, we've got some pretty chill suggestions on how to spend your time. Whether you're looking to hit the drive-in, learn more about some DRIFF directors, or take a peek behind the scenes of one of our short films, this update's got you covered!
Celebrate Canadian film!
To celebrate National Canadian Film Day, we thought we’d unveil which great Canadian films will screen at our drive-in series this summer, tell you about the films that will be screening for free at DRIFF in a JIFF, announce the winner of the Emerging Filmmaker incubator prize, and so much more.
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Media Contact
For more information and interview requests please contact marketing@driff.ca.
CAROLYN MAURICETTE - FILM PROGRAMMER
Carolyn Mauricette is a Toronto-based Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, film writer, Programmer/Development Coordinator for the Blood in the Snow Film Festival and Director of Canadian Programming for the Fantasia International Film Festival. You can find her writing on Hollywood Suite and online and print editions of Rue Morgue Magazine and Grim Magazine. She is a contributing author to The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films and The Encyclopedia of Racism in American Films. Carolyn has also produced lectures for Fantasia Film Festival in 2020 and 2021; and The Miskatonic Institute for Horror Studies in 2022. You can also find her in the 2020 documentary Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business, directed by Justin McConnell and the documentary TV series, A Year In Film on Hollywood Suite.
JOHN ARKELIAN - AUTHOR
John Arkelian is an award-winning author, journalist and Cinechats founder/Programmer. Among his eclectic pursuits, he has represented Canada abroad as a diplomat, advised the federal cabinet as an international lawyer, conducted criminal prosecutions as a federal Crown attorney, served as a professor of media law, been a candidate for Parliament, and directed an international film program. He is the founding editor of Artsforum Magazine; and he leads the regional arts council.
POWYS DEWHURST - INDUSTRY PROGRAMMER
Since 2012 Powys has produced forward-facing film and TV industry events with the gamut of industry organizations to create training, funding, access, screenings, and panels for creatives. His work includes programmer, filmmaker development, and has served as a board director on industry boards. He has sourced hundreds of industry partnerships, sponsors, mentors and speakers in North America and UK, with speakers as diverse as Harvard University professors to Academy Award winners. As industry advisory and juror, he has collaborated with the Canadian Media Producers Association Conference, TELEFILM Canada, Planet In Focus Environmental Film Festival, The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, Female Eye Film Festival and others. In 2010 his work was chosen as one to represent Canada at World Expo 2010 and he has always fought for equality.
SHAHLA KHAN - FILM PRODUCER
Shahla S. Khan, a partner at Rising Tides, is a producer with twenty years of international film and TV experience. She works at Corus Entertainment, where she manages the rights portfolios of brands like Global TV, Food TV, Nickelodeon, Disney, Hallmark, and HGTV. She also contributes as a Features Film Programmer for the (Canadian-South Asian) Mosaic International Film Festival Film, while helping to promote films at TIFF like Dukhtar and Donkey Head.
RUSSELL GIENAPP - CINEMATOGRAPHER
Russell Gienapp is a cinematographer and director with over 25 years capturing story. He is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and lives with is family in Toronto. Russell’s experiences range from social issue documentaries, science and natural history, projects with themes of exploration & adventure and commercials. He brings to every project a unique technological understanding with an artist’s eye and a photographer’s aesthetic. Making feature documentaries and documentary series, he has traveled the globe telling stories for broadcasters around the world. “How I Got Here”(BYUTV), “Political Blind Date” (TVO), “Extreme Ice Machines”(Discovery Channel), “Company Town” (CBC), “Gambling on Extinction ” (TVO, ZDF), “Giraffes: The Forgotten Giants” (Nature of Things),“Much Too Young” (TVO). Russell is currently in production as Director of Photography on two new projects for TVO. The emotion filled doc series “Yearbook” and the feature length documentary on Caribbean Carnivals “Soaked in Carnival”.
CORY BOWLES - FILM DIRECTOR
Cory Bowles is a multidisciplinary artist from Nova Scotia, Canada. His credits include; Trailer Park Boys, Studio Black!, Diggstown, Pretty Hard Cases, FBI: Most Wanted and numerous other series for CBS, Universal, Warner, NBC and Netflix. , Juliet and Romeo (Dance), and a writer for the CBC comedy, Little Dog (2018-19). His first feature, Black Cop (2017), premiered at TIFF and earned Best Canadian Feature at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the St. Louis International Film Festival and a Canadian Screen Award (John Dunning Discovery Prize). In 2018 nominated for the Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor’s Masterworks Award.
Not Dead Yet | Canada | 4 mins
Directed by: Abraam Dawood
Feathers | Canada | 6 mins
Directed by: Christine Le, Sarah Stefanon, Melissa Chin, Jacob MacMillan, Sarah Kieley, Anita Yen, Eustace Ng, Lilja Hlin H. Péturs & Mellisa Gabric
RMG 50 | Canada | 10 mins
Directed by: Carla Sinclair
Brampton's Batman | Canada | 12 mins
Directed by: Sultan Ridwan
Hearing Films | Canada | 8 mins
Directed by: Arsen Martyrosian
Alkonost | Canada | 5 mins
Directed by: Victoria Aldis, Irin Byun, Mike Chen, Sujin Kim, Seung-Ju Lee, Victoria Mietus, Anastasiia Platoshyna & Grace Yoo
Winner: Best Student Film
TED | Canada | 16 mins
Directed by: Meagan Webb
Fireplace | Syrian Arab Republic | 12 mins
Directed by: Muhammad Bayazid & Samah Safi Bayazid
Zero mm | Iraq | 8 mins
Directed by: Semaa Samir
Brian Quintero
Brian Quintero is a Canadian-Costa Rican Actor/Writer and director from Toronto. Brian has achieved notable success in various areas of the film industry, including his appearance as an actor in several popular TV shows and films, including 'Billy the Kid' (MGM+), 'The Umbrella Academy' (Netflix). He is a self-taught filmmaker with a diverse background with a new-generation of voice that feeds his creativity. Brian has written and directed a number of short films and has also produced two features under his belt. Brian's written shorts includes; Days Gone Bye, which had a sold-out world premiere at the Toronto Black Film Festival (2020). Brian recently wrote & directed a horror-dark comedy entitled Oldtimers. The film garnered attention after its world premiere at Fantasia Film Festival, winning the Silver Audience Award for Best Canadian Short Film (2022). It then went on to win two more awards at San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film Festival for Youth Jury Prize Award & The Best Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film (2022).
Dahlia Thompson
Over 20 years of experience working for federal and provincial cultural media funding agencies within Canada. After analyzing and managing hundreds of funding recipients, Dahlia has gained special expertise to lead business affairs and marketing initiatives for productions in film, television, digital media, and music. She has a strong history advising on financing projects, budgets, production tax credits, grants, equity investments, and international treaty co-productions with Canada. She is currently working with a Canadian national broadcaster on pre licensing documentary productions. Dahlia has been a Juror for the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings and the BIPOC International Film Festival. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring emerging media content creators from BIPOC communities. She is a born Canadian of proud Jamaican heritage.
Chen Sing Yap
Chen Sing Yap (he/him) is a Singaporean-born filmmaker living in Oakville, Ontario. Before moving to Canada he was an established picture editor working primarily in long form factual television for Singaporean and international markets. In recent years, he has honed his directing and editing craft in the short form with Overthinking It (2019), Shift (2020), and Feeling the Apocalypse (2022). Feeling the Apocalypse, a mixed media documentary, has played at over 60 festivals including the Edmonton International Film Festival.
Alexandra Hickox
Alexandra Hickox is a professional photographer and filmmaker. She graduated from Ontario College Arts and Design University with a Bachelor of Fine Art in photography and a minor in integrated media. She was awarded her master's degree with distinction from York University in film production. Alexandra has been working in film productions, theatre and site installations. She founded Undivided Productions, one of Canada's few deaf-led video production companies with several produced projects under its belt. Alexandra currently works remotely as a video editor for Melissa Elmira Yingst talk show hosted and US-based advocate. She has collaborated with Chris Corsini on music videos that are accessible and include ASL. In 2022, she created an immersive artwork, “Can you read my hands?” that challenges the perception of the hearing world included three videos of Deaf artists discussing their lived experience, exhibited in outdoor showcase by Rogue Wave. Recently, she acted in two projects, Cleo in Fox's The Accused, directed by Marlee Matlin and The Last Car, directed by John Greyson. She also worked as an on-set photographer for Greyson's film Photo Booth. In theatre, Alexandra acted as a stage manager and produced on set videos for several production companies including Deaf Spirit Theatre and The Ministry of Mundane Mysteries from the Outside of March theatre. Currently she is the founding director of a newly formed Unify Deaf Film Festival at the Bell Light Box and at 401 Richmond in its inaugural year opening this October 13 - 15th.
Jesse T. Cook
Cook is a prolific Canadian producer and director of genre cinema. His 15 features have garnered awards from Fantastic Fest, Fantasia, and many more. His latest film, Cult Hero, received six nominations at the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards.
Emmanuel Kabongo
Kabongo began acting in 2009 and has appeared in feature films like The Animal Project, Pompeii, Antibirth, Brown Girl Begins, Extracurricular, and Run This Town. Emmanuel was a lead actor in the series '21 Thunder'. Kabongo has guest starred in series like Outer Banks, Star Trek Discovery, V-Wars, Ransom, Rookie Blue, Quantico, Hudson & Rex, True Story, Frankie Drake, and Departure. In 2023 Emmanuel produced the feature film titled Sway.
