SWIFF LOCAL SPOTLIGHT PATRICIA ROZEMA, Writer/Director Patricia Rozema was born in Kingston, Ontario, to Jan and Jacoba Rozema, Dutch immigrants who came to Canada after the Second World War. The family soon moved to Sarnia, Ontario. “I grew up in a fairly feminist household,” Rozema says. “My father MASTHEAD & BEHIND THE SCENES has always loved really strong women, and my mother was one. The whole family had a respect for these sort of noble, vocal women and their opinion mattered very, very much.” Rozema became an associate producer on the program The Journal for two years at the CBC. She started freelancing as an assistant director on many productions and writing as The South Western International Film Festival (swiff), to be held every first weekend in many scripts as possible while taking filmmaking courses. One of Rozema’s many scripts November, aims to establish Sarnia-Lambton as a cultural hub for Southwestern Ontario. secured her a grant and she began production of her first short film, PASSION: A LETTER In addition to a rich cinematic experience, the festival will offer visitors a chance to interact IN 16MM (1985). Her debut feature I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING (1987) won with the artists. There is also a special focus on youth participation and diversity. the Prix de la Jeunesse at Cannes in 1987. A poll sponsored by the Toronto International Under the guidance and leadership of Executive Director Ravi Srinivasan, SWIFF is a Film Festival in 1993 recognized this film as one of Canada’s top 10 films of all time. Rozema has made six feature films and worked extensively in television, penning the Golden Globe collaborative effort featuring local businesses and community members. winning GREY GARDENS, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, and directing HBO’s IN TREATMENT, starring Gabriel Byrne. Rozema is regarded as one of our country’s Executive Director – Ravi Srinivasan, Festival Programmers – Ravi Srinivasan, Jennie Chu most respected and original voices working in film and television. Short Film Programmer – Hallie Switzer, Music Programmer – Trevor Steinman, Ravi Srini- vasan, Marketing Director – Marty Oblak, Creative Director – Zenon Turczyn, Programme Guide Design – Paul Bauchamp, Marty Oblak, Programme Guide Contributors – Jennie Chu, Hallie Switzer, Levi Webb, Graphic Designers – Paul Beauchamp, Devon Mackinnon, Marty Oblak, Lisa Smith, Finance – Lesli De Carolis, Michael Lutz, Website Programmer – AARON HUGGETT, Writer/Director Michael Pereira, Technical Production Services – Matt Mason, Video Production – Zenon Turczyn, Eddy Lichty Photographers – Jen Nicholson, Bill Thompson, Social Media Director Born in Sarnia, and raised in Oil Springs, Huggett sold his first script at the age of fourteen. His filmmaking garnered – Julie Lichty, Social Media content – Julie Lichty, Kyle Stark, Lindsey Cepek, Sponsorship international attention when his 2005 film, FLICKER, took home Director – Lindsay Bujaki, Educational Coordinator – Meghan DiBrita, Opening Night a Best Supporting Acting prize at the New York International Reception – Memorable Moments, Production Coordinators – Shaun Hood, Mark Meeks, Independent Film Festival. He is co-founder of Stand, a cooperative dedicated to the Erin Macneil, Levi Webb Production Staff – Eddy Lichty, Kirk Lichty, Olivia Cataford, Jeremy prevention of bullying, domestic violence and teen suicide. Huggett’s historical fiction film, Lataweic, Erica Procunier RED RYAN, shot in Lambton County, is in post-production and will preview at SWIFF on – Jack Blum, Gilad Cohen, Sharon Corder, Steve Gravestock, Donna Stewart, Advisors Friday evening. Huggett is our SWIFF screenwriting workshop instructor and we’re Deanna Wong, Magali Simard, Kerri Craddock, Mary Doyle, Peter Kuplowsky, excited that he’ll be sharing his knowledge and experience with the community. Michael Lerman, Andrei Tanasesc Board of Directors – Gregory Bernard, Evelyn Dillon, Paul Doyle, Jennifer Nicholson, Sunday November 8th, 8:30am – 2:00pm Matthew Watson Screenwriting Workshop Thank you to The Imperial Theatre, The Judith & Norman ALIX Art Gallery and REEL CANADA for their continued support. 30 DAYS for $30 80 Phenomenal Classes per WEEK including HOT yoga! FULLY EQUIPPED GYM AND CARDIO AREA! www.agoyafitness.com | 519-704-1315 message from message from The Mayor executive director MIKE BRADLEY RAVI SRINIVASAN MAYOR Executive Director CITY OF SARNIA South Western International Film Festival I am delighted to roll out the official red carpet for the Inaugural South Western Tonight is the start of something new, exciting and special for Lambton County. International Film Festival. It’s an opportunity to build on the Arts/Culture community that has been burning bright through institutions such as Theatre Sarnia, Art Walk, CineSeries and JNNAG. With Ravi’s vision of building on the rejuvenation and renaissance of downtown Sarnia into a cultural and entertainment centre, the community will have the opportunity to see first-class SWIFF and the programming that we’ve put together in our first year would not have cinema productions, featuring some of the brightest and best in the Canadian film industry, been possible without selfless dedication, passion and enthusiasm from its contributors, highlighted by our own Patricia Rozema, screen writer and director of the debut film, supporters, partners and sponsors. While we sit back and enjoy stories from Canada and “Into The Forest.” beyond, I hope the films and filmmakers we bring to the area will help us better understand each other and the people around us, and maybe the generation behind us will become The Festival is an exciting and dynamic event, spotlighting new voices and will inspired and enriched in the process. We look forward to seeing you throughout the entire offer first-rate films that will engage and entertain the audience with their stories. weekend and the years to come! Congratulations to everyone involved in making this festival a success and to many years of future success. Yours sincerely, Sincerely, Mike Bradley, Mayor of Sarnia Ravi Shinivasan SWIFF IN THE COMMUNity Filmmaking Workshops To kick-start the festival year, SWIFF, in partnership with the National Program REEL Friday November 6th, 8:30am–2:00pm CANADA, is presenting FREE Canadian films for high school students to raise awareness of Documentary Workshop with CHARLES OFFICER. and appreciation for Canadian filmmaking, Canadian stories and Canadian culture. Students from St. Patrick’s, St. Clair, SCITS, Northern, North Lambton, Alexander Mackenzie and Charles Officer’s first feature NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY was theat- LCCVI high schools have all been invited to participate, making this a true county-wide affair. rically released in 2009. The Film garnered 10 Genie (Canada’s The teachers will be prepped with discussion questions and information about the films to Academy Award) nominations, where Charles was recognized for use in their classrooms to further the program in coherence with their own curriculum. his achievement in direction and original screenplay. He completed FUELLED BY PASSION, THE RETURN OF THE JETS, a one-hour documentary produced by the CBC about the Following the screening, students will have the opportunity to engage with an artist from the Winnipeg Jets return to the National Hockey League for the 2011-12 season. Charles’ latest film to learn about its creation and about opportunities in the film industry outside Lambton project, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, is a documentary entitled UN- County. ARMED VERSES, which explores youth and race-related issues in the city, in the aftermath of the shooting of Trayvon Martin in the United States. SWIFF will offer educational workshops led by industry professionals who will share their knowledge and inspire the local community. We’ve partnered with the Lambton County / Saturday November 7th, 8:30am–2:00pm Kent District School Board’s Specialist High Skills Major Program. This program is designed Producing Workshop with WILLIAM WOODS. to provide students with both in-class and out-of-classroom training and experiences related Will graduated from York University with a master’s degree in to their post-secondary career of choice. environmental ethics and started his film career in 2011. He has since produced three feature films. IN RETURN is a romantic This program will place at least five high school students into our Documentary and comedy which won the audience choice award at Cinefest and Green Bay. He’s produced Producing workshops. Participants in the Producers workshop will learn the art of story five short films, Saturday Night Special (Bravo!), Aldrus (Bravo!), AFK (Bravo!), STILL AND creation and focusing an idea into a concise and entertaining pitch. RELAX, I’M FROM THE FUTURE. Will’s latest project , MEAN DREAMS, is a compelling coming of age drama starring Bill Paxton, Colm Feore and Josh Wiggins. On Sunday afternoon, The Imperial Theatre will host SWIFF Pitch! Each participant in our filmmaking workshop will be invited to pitch their film concept in ontfr of a live audience and a panel of judges. The winning pitch will receive a two month online mentorship with Presented by: Producer William Woods. ADMISSION IS FREE! OPening NIght Film Closing NIght Film Thursday November 5th, 7:30PM fails, for people unaccustomed to living Sunday November 8th, 7:00PM ling character-piece is driven by excellent Into The Forest without it, scarcity breeds suspicion and 99 HOMES performances from Garfield and Shannon, delusion. Battling extreme loneliness and faced with a supporting role by Laura Dern. Patricia Rozema, Canada (2015) with the imminent threats of starvation, illness Ramin Bahrani, USA (2014) When our morals and ethics are at play, English and intruders, the young women must double English it forces us to ask ourselves one crucial 112 min SW Ontario Premiere down on discipline and creativity in order to Runtime: question: How far would you go to save Runtime: 101 min Rating: 14A ensure that they see the next day. Rating: 14A Producer: Ramin Bahrani, Ashok Amritraj, your home? Producer: Niv Fichman, Andrew Garfield, Justin Nappi, Kevin Turen Ellen Page, Aaron L.