The 19th annual Inside Out Film and Video Festival wrapped up its 10-day run in grand style on May 24 with a sold-out screening of the French epic Born in ’68. Longtime volunteer and Tafelmusik rep Derek Haukenfreres went to 24 screenings this time out but says this three-hour film was his favourite: “Queer icons Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau were back,” says Haukenfreres. “It was nice to see them again as I have seen all of their work.”
Other sold-out screenings included local hero John Greyson’s opera/documentary Fig Trees, which was awarded best Canadian feature by the jury.
Toronto director Cuong Ngo’s film The Golden Pin won the Colin Campbell Award for best Canadian short. Ngo donated his $500 cash prize to the AIDS Committee of Toronto. “My dream is to make people happy and help people,” he stated in a press release. “Now my dream came true and I wanted to offer this prize to the community.”
Francesca Nocera was named best up-and-coming Toronto filmmaker and Heather Tobin’s To Each Her Own won best first Canadian feature.
Executive director Scott Ferguson says he’s tired but happy, “especially in terms of the current economy we’re facing and where we were six months ago in terms of sponsorship.”
Attendance was up six percent. “Not huge numbers,” says Ferguson, “but there was growth. We had 26 sell-outs, an increase over last year.”
Once again the fest was mainly housed at the Royal Ontario Museum and the Isabel Bader Theatre. Jason McGregor, coordinator of the Isabel Bader, says the fest was “a phenomenal success for us.” He was pleased to see the audience reaction to The Baby Formula, which won the audience award (leads Angela Vint and Megan Fahlenbock tied for the juried acting prize).
Other audience faves included Gerry Rogers’ Ferron: Girl on a Road for best documentary and Mark Payne’s Get Happy for best short.
Next year the Inside Out fest turns 20. “My priority is a build up in the months leading up to the festival,” says Ferguson. “Lots of screenings and events to get the word out and excite people.”
Haukenfreres is ready to line up once again, “Clearly, I have a heart-on for the fest.”
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