Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth

The Reel 2 Real Film Festival is back for the 21st year, from April 7-13, 2019 at the Roundhouse Community Centre and Vancity Theatre at the Vancouver International Film Centre. The Festival is geared towards youth between the ages of 6-19 along with their families, caregivers, and teachers.

Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth

When: April 7-13, 2019
Where: Vancity Theatre and Roundhouse Community Centre
Tickets:

Through public screenings, hands-on workshops, interactive panel discussions, and public forums, Reel 2 Real’s mission is to involve youth in actively viewing and discussing professionally made films; expose youth to new ideas and cultural perspectives; offer high-quality cinematic entertainment outside the mainstream; explore issues that are important to youth; engage youth in discussions with filmmakers about their work; increase understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking; and promote the production and presentation of high quality independent films for youth.

Featured Films

The Opening Night film (April 7th at 4:30pm) will be the Canadian Premiere of Mia and the White Lion (France, South Africa, Germany), directed by Gilles de Maistre. A young girl from London moves to Africa with her parents where she befriends a rare lion cub. This incredible project was developed and filmed in real time over five years as the cast and animals aged and formed real bonds with each other. The young lion whisperer and star of the film Daniah de Villiers, playing Mia, will join us via Skype from her home in South Africa.

The Closing Night film (April 13th at 6:30pm) is the Canadian premiere of Pachamama (Canada, Luxembourg). Headstrong Tepulpaï dreams of becoming a shaman. Pachamama’s particular style of animation and use of vibrant colours are drawn from the jungle and mountain forests of the Andean altiplano. Academy and César Award-nominated Didier Brunner, producer of Triplets of Belleville, The Secret of Kells (R2R ‘10), and Ernest & Celestine (R2R ‘13), delivers yet another culturally authentic voice in Juan Antin’s richly textured Andean fable.

Youth Media Conference

The focus of this year’s Youth Media Conference (YMC) will be an Inside the Industry panel. The panelists will cover the ‘how-to’ of breaking into and working in the film industry: networking with professionals; where various career opportunities lie; and how to take advantage of them. During this interactive day, which includes a Behind the Scenes job fair, students with an interest in a range of industry opportunities, from screenwriting to set design and cinematography will be able to learn what it really takes to pursue a future in the film industry.  Panelists include: Vincent McCurley (VR Creator, NFB);Jenna Brown (Technical Lead, DHX Media); and Siobhan Condon (VFX Producer, Double Negative).

Sunday Fun Day

Don’t miss Sunday Fun Day to kick off our festival week with some delicious pancakes on Sunday April 7th, 2019 at 10:00am. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast of homemade pancakes and sizzling bacon. They’ll also have juice, and gallons of hot coffee for the grown-ups. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Pancakes will be served from 10:00am to 11:30am, and the workshops and films will be offered until 2:30pm.

The Reel to Real: A Celebration of Moving Images for Youth Society is a non-profit registered charity dedicated to showing the best in culturally diverse, authentic programming for youth. Reel to Real presents an annual film festival, the Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth, and media arts programming year-round.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night, and a pair of tickets to the closing night screening as well! Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

Follow the Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more info. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am on Friday, April 5, 2019.

UPDATE: The winner is Mikaela G!