DRIFF to close out film festival Saturday at Oshawa’s Biltmore Theatre

The Durham Region International Film Festival has a full day of movie magic planned at the Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa Saturday, with free workshops in the morning and the ticketed films getting underway at 5:30 p.m.

There’s still time to grab some tickets for Friday’s movies as well, which will begin at 7:30 at the St. Francis Centre in Ajax.

DRIFF opened Thursday at the Centennial Building in Whitby with the short film The Canadian Dream, followed by the feature film Atomic Reaction, a documentary directed by Michele Hozer that delves into Canada’s clandestine involvement in the Manhattan Project and its role in the creation of the world’s first weapons of mass destruction.

Friday’s events include a pair of international shorts – Bad for a Moment (Portugal) and Bug Diner (USA), followed by the feature All the Lost Ones, directed by Sheila McCarthy, which is set in the near future amidst a growing civil war sparked by climate disaster. A group of civilians seek refuge in North Bay while an anti-government militia group known as The Conservancy quickly advances north, resulting in a character-driven thriller featuring a talented ensemble cast.

Saturday’s events at the Biltmore begins at 10:30 a.m. with a special effect seminar, followed by a VFX and Immersive Media seminar, with both events free to the public.

Unfamily, directed by Siddarth Sharma

The ticketed films have a series of homegrown shorts, including A Good Day will Run (Canada, Turkey, Iran); Hearing My Other Half (Canada); Desync (Canada); Triage (Canada); Lure (Canada); Lavenza (Canada); Heap (Canada); and Unfamily, a Toronto/Whitby production directed by Siddarth Sharma about deportation, complicated relationships and family obligations.

The 85-minute feature film Front Row closes out the movie portion of the festival.

Merzak Allouache, one of Algeria’s most prolific and celebrated directors, introduces us to the chaotic yet endearing Bouderbala family in this cinematic gem, which effortlessly blends farcical humor, heart, and insightful social commentary. The Bouderbalas set off early for a popular beach to guarantee their ‘front row’ spot but their plans for a leisurely day out are upended when a rival family turns up and threatens the Bouderbala’s sea view and their dignity. With its vibrant visuals, charming performances, and an emotionally affecting subplot involving star-crossed lovers, Front Row, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, is an endearing testament to the power of storytelling and the universal themes that connect us all.

DRIFF offers six awards with cash prizes for each: – Best Durham Region Film ($500) – Best Student Film ($500) – Best Documentary Film ($500) – Best Short Film ($500) – Best International Film ($500) – People’s Choice Award ($1,000).

All awards apart from The People’s Choice Award will first be announced at DRIFF’s Awards Ceremony at the Biltmore following the screening of Front Row. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on driff.ca and on DRIFF’s social media platforms @catchthedriff on October 27.