International and local film productions will be highlighted in Lethbridge this weekend.
The fourth annual Lethbridge International Film Festival is presented by the Friends of the Galt Museum and Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa.
The festival, set for April 17-20, will be held at different venues throughout the city, including the Galt Museum, the Sterndale Bennett Theatre, and The Movie Mill.
Friday’s festival opening will include a gala at the Galt Museum, with full days of screenings set for Saturday at the museum, Sunday at The Movie Mill and a wrap-up evening and party at the Sterndale Bennett Theatre on Monday.
Festival director Tess Mitchell said this year, the festival has expanded to feature 77 films, including 54 premieres, 13 local productions, and 18 different countries represented.
“We’ve actually moved the festival to encores as well, so there [will be] screenings in May and June because we had such a high submission rate of incredible films that we just decided to program more and make the festival go longer,” Mitchell added.
Encore dates are listed as May 5 and June 16 in the festival program.
Mitchell remarked that the annual event “prioritizes underrepresented voices” and offers a platform for filmmakers from a variety of backgrounds.
“It’s like making space for everybody,” she said. “The cultural impact of having these films in Lethbridge is so important, to just include every story, and [have] people [feel like] they can see themselves back in the art and the media that they consume and that they can be together, showing that Lethbridge is so diverse in every aspect.”
Mitchell hopes the event can inspire future generations of filmmakers and shine a spotlight on the growth of the industry in Lethbridge and southern Alberta.
“Supporting what’s made out of Lethbridge will show you that we have an amazing film industry just in our community, making beautiful films that are inspiring, of all genres and really, important that they get that chance too, to have their work seen in their community and these local productions can also be on the same screen as these international productions,” she stated.
Mitchell added that she streams films like most people today, but watching a production on screen in a theatre or large venue is truly special.
“Coming together to watch these pieces in your community, it creates a totally different atmosphere, and it creates conversation, it creates connection, it’s like place-making in the community and its exposure,” she said.
More information about the festival, including a list of featured films and how to purchase tickets, is available on the Galt Museum and Archives website.
