Returning for its 19th edition from December 4 - 8, the Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will showcase 86 fresh films, including of 43 features and 43 shorts from Canada and around the world.
Each December, the (WFF) draws thousands of film fans and filmmakers to North America鈥檚 premiere mountain resort for five days of film screenings, industry sessions, live music and events. It鈥檚 an inspiring way to experience one of B.C.鈥檚 most beloved winter settings.
No wonder it鈥檚 affectionately referred to as 鈥楥anada鈥檚 coolest film fest鈥�.
To open this year鈥檚 festival, WFF will screen the Canadian Premiere of , directed by Katharine O鈥橞rien starring Simon Pegg and Juno Temple. Pegg (Theo) and Juno (Hannah) shine as LA music scene devotees, each battling their own mental health issues, ultimately deciding to abandon their respective medications in their quest for unfettered musical greatness.聽Pegg will be in attendance for the film and can be seen in conversation as part of WFF鈥檚 Signature Series Thursday, December 5.
Catch the Western Canadian Premiere of directed by WFF Alumni Sean Cisterna and starring Emmy award-winning actor Joseph Pantoliano (RISKY BUSINESS, MIDNIGHT RUN, THE FUGITIVE, THE MATRIX, MEMENTO, THE SOPRANOS). WFF will celebrate his career in an Artist Tribute event and honour him with a Career Achievement Award on December 5 at 3:00pm following the film.聽Brooklyn Nine-Nines funny woman, Chelsea Peretti (Gina Linetti) will also be in attendance for the World Premiere of her first feature film , directed by Andrea Dorfman.聽
This year鈥檚 festival will also feature 11 first-time feature films and 13 feature films directed by women. That鈥檚 not all鈥�
67% of this year鈥檚 WFF programming is comprised of Canadian features 鈥� more than any other Canadian film festival this year. In addition, films in competition will compete for 15 film awards and $146,500 in cash and prizes from juries comprised of the world鈥檚 leading cinematic talent.
Additional festival highlights include the Canadian film festival premiere of directed by Martin Scorsese, Canada鈥檚 entry in this year鈥檚 foreign-language Oscars category directed by Sophie Deraspe, and Emile Goudreault鈥檚 , the highest grossing Canadian film of the year with over $6M in domestic box office!
鈥淭he Whistler Film Festival has evolved into a premium showcase for exciting new motion pictures not previously shown at other film festivals, with more and more filmmakers from Canada and abroad entrusting us with their new creations,鈥� states Paul Gratton, WFF Director of Programming. 鈥淔rom Canadian gems to American Indies, our 19th edition delivers compelling and entertaining stories from around the world, welcoming both established names and emerging filmmakers.鈥�
Dedicated to showcasing meaningful stories that spark conversation, WFF is proud to present award season fare and quality Canadian content. You can enter to win a Whistler Film Festival getaway valued at $1,100 .
To learn more about this year鈥檚 festival, visit
