DECODE Goes to the Movies

A few days ago, my colleague Jennifer and I were fortunate enough to get an invitation from one of our current clients to a very cool and unique event: a REEL Canada film festival.

REEL Canada is an NGO funded in part by Canadian Heritage, and mandated to promote the Canadian film industry to high school students in an engaging and thought-provoking way. They do this by running actual film festivals in high schools across the country, complete with celebrity guests, Q & A sessions, as well as providing educators with lesson plans to help students ‘digest’ the experience. Not only do these kids get a day off of class to watch some incredibly cool movies, they get to ask questions of prominent directors, actors and other industry professionals and even score a few autographs.

This past Tuesday (Dec 6, 2011), REEL Canada invaded Riverdale Collegiate in the East end of Toronto, and invited DECODE to come bear witness to the educational mayhem.

The program was stacked: film and special guest combinations included Shake Hands With The Devil and director Peter Raymont; Passchendaele and star Joe Dinicol; How She Moves with cast members Kevin Duhaney and Daniel Morrison; Sharkwater with eco-activist and filmmaker Emily Hunter; Emil Sher, the author of the book Inside Hana’s Suitcase, as well as cast members from Meatballs. They also screened One Week and Prom Night In Mississippi.

The kids asked some great (and sometimes hilarious) questions, and it was clear that they were thrilled to be a part of the day. The event also marked the beginning of a deeper connection to Canadian film for a number of kids

So, hats off to REEL Canada, the students and staff of Riverdale, and the Canadian artists that made it all possible! And thanks for the invite! Can’t wait for the next one ; )

 

(Anthony West)