DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival, returns to present the 22nd edition, screening in theatres May 4- May 14, 2023. DOXA will screen its roster of crucial and thought-provoking documentaries in theatrical venues across the city, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for a communal cinema experience.
DOXA Documentary Film Festival 2023
When: May 4-14, 2023
Where: In theatres (SFU Goldcorp Centre, VIFF Centre, The Cinematheque)
General Admission in-person ticket: $15; Student/Seniors/Low-income in-person ticket: $13; Special Presentations: $18; In-theatre 5 Ticket Pack: $65; In-theatre festival pass: $195; $8-10 per individual online ticket
Folks who prefer to view from the comfort of their own homes, a selection of festival films will be available to stream online after festival dates, between May 15 and 24, 2023.
The 22nd annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival program will showcase a total of 39 features and mid-lengths, 25 short films, as well as Industry events and multiple opportunities for filmmakers, audiences and industry professionals to connect.
DOXA is proud to present Karen Cho’s Big Fight in Little Chinatown as this year’s Opening presentation, screening on May 4th at SFU’s Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema. All across the globe, Chinatowns are under threat of disappearing—and along with them, the rich history of communities who fought from the margins for a place to belong. Big Fight in Little Chinatown follows the communities that are fighting to end perpetual gentrification and displacement across North America.
Win Tickets to Opening Night
I’m giving away tickets to the opening screening featuring Big Fight in Little Chinatown, here’s how you can enter to win:
Other Special Presentations include: Kokomo City, directed by D. Smith, which documents the stories of four Black transgender sex workers in New York and Georgia as they share reflections on tangled desires, far-reaching taboos and gender’s many meanings (Justice Forum); King Coal, directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, witnessing the daily rituals of life in Appalachia as the cultural roots of the coal industry continue to permeate, even as its economic power wanes (Rated Y for Youth); and Kaveh Nabatian’s Kite Zo A (Leave the Bones), which weaves together ancestral veneration, choreographed dance and interviews to tell a story of fighting back against colonial oppression in Haiti (Closing Gala).
DOXA is very proud to feature three guest-curated programs. Vancouver-based curator, writer and current Director of Artspeak Gallery, Nya Lewis has selected the film Beba (Rebeca Huntt, 2021) for their program, A Radical Pluriverse: Reflections on Black Womanhood on Both Sides of the Lens.
Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou, whose research and curatorial work focuses on Afro-diasporic cinema and visual arts, has curated a program of short films called I AM A (WO)MAN: Transatlantic Perspectives on Political Struggles in the 1960s–1970s in Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, the USA and France. These short works highlight the cross-cultural and -continental “struggles for the emancipation of colonized peoples,” and display the collaborative work of filmmakers and labour activists in the fight.
Finally, Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis program titled NORITA: The Mother of All Struggles features Jayson McNamara’s work-in-progress doc, Norita, which examines the life and revolutionary work of Nora Cortiñas, the most famous of the Madres of the Plaza de Mayo—Argentina’s movement of women fighting for justice amidst the country’s rampant political oppression.
Beyond the festival’s cornerstone Justice Forum and Rated Y for Youth programs, DOXA 2023 will include two Spotlight programming streams: DANCE, DANCE OTHERWISE WE ARE LOST and THIN PLACES.
Several Canadian filmmakers launch their world premiere at DOXA 2023. Amy Miller’s latest film, Manufacturing the Threat, is a festival highlight: After the arrest and imprisonment of a young Surrey couple, their plot to commit acts of terrorism was revealed to be the work of government agent provocateurs aiming to entrap and create their own “threats.”
Ali Grant’s Not Quite That champions an affecting local story; after finding out she is predisposed to breast cancer, Sarah White—a Jewish woman, mother, and butch lesbian—must decide whether to wait and see what happens, or act fast and have a preventative double mastectomy. These Canadian films and more are exciting titles in DOXA’s 2023 festival program.
Committed to cultivating curiosity and critical thought, DOXA 2023 delivers some of the very best in contemporary documentary cinema over 11 days.
Peek beneath Vancouver’s sparkling surface to uncover a hidden history of dark crime, outrageous intrigue, and scandal. Discover the outrageous histories of our city’s most famous and iconic heritage buildings on a morning stroll around downtown with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours new experience The Monumental Scandals Tour.
Monumental Scandals Tour with Vancouver Walking Tours
When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sundays at 10:00am starting May 4, 2023
Where: Starting in front of Old Navy on the corner of Robson and Granville Street and ending at the Marine Building on Burrard Street
Tickets: Adults $32 and $29 for seniors and youth per person. Book online.
Roam the city with expert guides in these one-of-a-kind walking tours, and hear the scintillating stories of Vancouver’s secret past.
Guests will enjoy a private viewing inside Art Deco masterpiece the Marine Building, as they uncover a tale of greed, rum-running, and back-room real estate deals. They’ll hear the story of crooked 1950s Police Chief Walter Mulligan and the paper bags he received from local crime overlords, stuffed full of dirty gambling cash.
At the Vancouver Art Gallery – once the city’s courthouse – guests will discover the tale of Francis Rattenbury and his cosmopolitan second wife, Alma. He was the building’s architect, brutally murdered by Alma’s young lover in a frenzy of jealous rage.
At the Hotel Vancouver guests will hear about its earlier incarnation, lost to the wrecking ball in a crime against heritage preservation. A hotel that once hosted Winston Churchill and Babe Ruth and glistened on West Georgia as one of North America’s great hotels.
Other stops on the tour include tales of explosions, corrupt mayors, outrageous vaudeville dancer Marie Lloyd and her deal with the White House, the violent police assault on Vancouver’s “Bloody Sunday” and the local showgirl who became a Hollywood legend.
The Monumental Scandals walking tour is led by one of the company’s cast of professional guides: historical interpreter Aman Johal, comedian and actor Rachel Ruecker, storyteller Glenn Tkach, magician Robert Teszka, or company founder and tour creator Will Woods.
Stay up to date with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours by following their Instagram.
Some Assembly Theatre Company presents The Identity Bureau, an existential theatrical production exploring the importance of one’s identity on stage at the Roundhouse during BC Youth Week.
The Identity Bureau: Ciara Wilkinson, Fox Hunt. Photo credit Gaetan Nerincx
The Identity Bureau
When: April 28 & 29, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Where: Roundhouse Performance Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
Created by diverse Metro Vancouver youth with playwright and director Valerie Methot, and several industry professionals, this timely theatre piece stems from conversations with youth who spoke about damaging effects when their identity is disrespected. This production engages and entertains with topical relevance, humour, original music, and inspiration.
Set in the very near future, The Identity Bureau is a place that assigns identities and traits to all citizens. It’s the last day citizens can make identity updates and pay fines before the big system rehaul. Meant to create calm, the Bureau creates chaos as we witness the absurdity of not simply deciding to be who we truly are.
Some Assembly Theatre Company is in its 23rd year of bringing together youth and industry professionals to create and produce original plays that promote awareness, dialogue, and positive social change around issues that young people face. The company is the recipient of the City of Vancouver Youth Award for outstanding contribution to the youth community and the Deryck Thomson Award for exceptional contribution to community building and well-being.
Follow BC Youth Week
Connect with BC Youth Week is May 1-7, 2023 with events and activities for youth throughout the province. Follow along on Twitter, and Facebook for more information.
The Vancouver Park Board has approved amendments to the by-law to designate selected park and beach sites as places where alcohol may now be consumed, on a permanent or temporary basis.
Drink Alcohol at These Vancouver Parks and Beaches Starting This Summer
From June 1, the public will be able to bring and consume alcoholic beverages at 31 permanent year-round park locations across Vancouver. In addition, 16 parks will become permanent summer-only sites between July 1 and August 31 each year.
Between June 1 and September 4, 2023, beachgoers will also be able to drink at 7 of Vancouver’s beaches, following direction from the Board to staff to explore options to pilot the responsible consumption of alcohol at appropriate beach locations.
“After two successful years, we’re delighted to bring back responsible alcohol consumption to many of Vancouver’s most popular public spaces,” says Park Board Chair Scott Jensen. “Our previous pilot programs demonstrated the importance of creating shared spaces for socializing and we saw how effectively Vancouver’s parks and beaches can accommodate safe drinking.” I look forward to joining Vancouver’s residents and visitors in having a drink at one of the city’s beautiful parks and beaches this summer!””
Locations
For most parks included in the program, drinking will be allowed throughout the park, except in areas like playgrounds, wading pools and splash parks, sports fields and courts, community centres, ecologically sensitive natural areas, parking lots, and off-leash dog areas.
Maps of where alcohol can be consumed will be posted on our website and on signage installed at each location.
For all sites, the consumption of alcohol will be allowed between the hours of 11:00am and 9:00pm daily.
The Board also approved an additional amendment to the by-law prohibiting glass beverage bottles and containers at parks and beaches, in response to concerns over broken glass and potential injury.
From June 1, 2023, consuming alcohol will be permitted on a permanent and year-round basis in the following parks:
Adanac Park Balaclava Park Burrard View Park Elm Park Fraser River Park Garden Park Granville Park Harbour Green Park Jericho Beach Park John Hendry/Trout Lake Park Jonathan Rogers Park Jones Park Kitsilano Beach Park Langara Park Locarno Beach Park Maple Grove Park
McBride Park Memorial West Park New Brighton Park Pandora Park Queen Elizabeth Park Riverfront Park Spanish Banks Beach Park Stanley Park (Lumberman’s Arch) Stanley Park (Southwest and Second Beach) Sunrise Park Tatlow Park Vanier Park Victoria Park Volunteer Park Woodland Park
During the months of July and August each year, consuming alcohol will be permitted at:
Beaconsfield Park Braemer Park Brewers Park Clinton Park Collingwood Park Columbia Park Falaise Park Memorial South Park
Norquay Park Oak Park Quilchena Park Robson Park Ross Park Rupert Park Slocan Park Winona Park
Between June 1 and September 4, 2023, the seven beach pilot sites will be:
Jericho Beach Spanish Banks Locarno Beach Second Beach (Stanley Park)
Kitsilano Beach John Hendry / Trout Lake Beach New Brighton Beach
Park and beach users are reminded to act responsibly when drinking alcohol. Please exercise caution when drinking alcohol on beaches and avoid entering the water when intoxicated.
Celebrate mom, grandma or the mother figure in your life this Mother’s Day at Metropolis at Metrotown! On now until May 14, 2023, BC’s largest shopping centre has transformed into an ode to mothers everywhere with shopping incentives, atmospheric décor, photo opportunities, and more. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 shopping spree from Miss604!
Mother’s Day with Metropolis at Metrotown
Find the perfect gift with over 330 stores as well as Skytrain access and free parking. While you’re there, enjoy several fun photo opportunities for Mother’s Day – from crystal-encrusted mannequins and disco balls, to a glitzy selfie wall, and more.
Metropolis at Metrotown’s Mother’s Day décor (May 1-14) will add pep to your step with glittery disco balls and vibrant pink adornments carving a path throughout the shopping centre. And whether you’re shopping alone or with a group, you can enjoy a savoury array of dining experiences to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Gift Card Incentives
Shoppers who spend $300 or more on gift cards between April 16-30 will earn two tickets to Metropolis at Metrotown’s Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party. If you spend $250 at any retail stores in the shopping centre May 1-14, you’ll receive a $25 reward card, plus a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. Spend $250 on gift cards and receive a $20 reward card.
10% of proceeds from gift card sales from April 16-30 will be donated to Cause We Care Foundation, a Vancouver-based charity that helps single mothers achieve economic security, build capacity, and create a positive future for themselves and their children.
Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party
The Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party is happening in the Grand Court May 13 at 2:00pm-3:30pm, and 3:30pm-5:00pm. It’s set to be an unforgettable afternoon, delighting guests of all ages with an array of engaging experiences, including a live DJ and fashion show; unique photo opportunities; atmospheric décor; tasty food and beverage, including strawberry and raspberry-infused coffee and tea lattes sponsored by Lions Bay Coffee Company and a build-you-own mimosa bar; a flower market providing complimentary custom bouquets sponsored by local florist, The Heart Company; and more.
Win a $500 Shopping Spree
I have a $500 Metropolis at Metrotown shopping spree to give away along with four tickets to the Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party! Here’s how you can enter to win:
Mother’s Day celebrations at Metropolis at Metrotown run from April 16 – May 14. The shopping centre is open Mondays to Saturdays, 10:00am to 9:00pm, and Sundays 11:00am to 7:00pm. Follow Metropolis at Metrotown on Instagram for more information about their shops, services, and special events.
