NEWS RELEASE
STRATFORD FILM FESTIVAL INC.
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The Stratford Film Festival (SFF), in partnership with Lights on Stratford, will screen Cool Shorts for the Holidays the weekend immediately preceding Christmas Day (Dec. 20, 21 and 22).
“Our Best of the Fest Shorts received such an enthusiastic response from the Stratford community that we thought, ‘Why not do it again for the holidays?',” says Festival Director Megan Smith-Harris.
Sponsored by Destination Stratford, this curated 75-minute program of award-winning shorts from around the world, offers a blend of comedy, drama, and animation and includes two home-grown short films shot entirely in Stratford, Ont.
The Understudy, a 13-minute short included in the Cool Shorts program, is a Stratfrest@Home Production and was written and directed by theatre and film director Peter Pasyk, and produced by Genna Dixon, Director of Film Production and Distribution for the Stratford Festival. It stars Stratford resident and acclaimed stage actor Tom Rooney in the title role.
The film charts the journey of an understudy actor who receives a fateful call to go on stage at the last minute to replace the star of a major stage production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, all while overseeing the care of his young granddaughter.
Rooney, will be joined by Pasyk, Dixon and actor André Sills, at two audience Q&As on Dec. 20. The first will take place immediately following the 6 p.m. screening of Cool Shorts for the Holidays, and the second will occur at the start of the 8 p.m. screening.
The Understudy is currently on a successful film festival run across North America but to date has only been publicly screened once in Canada, at the Hamilton Film Festival.
“We’re thrilled to be able to share this poignant, behind-the-scenes portrait of an understudy’s emotional psyche when he receives the telephone call he most wants and is most terrified of,” says Smith-Harris. “We’re also delighted to include Just Short of Reality, a short dance-inspired film that won a handful of international awards.”
Just Short of Reality, is a six-part dance and movement anthology that features a diverse cast of dancers, all of whom have performed on the stages of the Stratford Festival. The first six-minute chapter is included in the Cool Shorts program and was co-written by Matt Alfano and Chad McFadden. Alfano directed and McFadden served as the Associate Director.
A full list of the Cool Shorts for the Holidays program will be published on the SFF Website the week of Dec. 9.
On Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. SFF will host a one-time special screening of Frank Capra’s 1946 film classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed at Stratford City Hall Auditorium. All proceeds from this Community Outreach Screening will be distributed to SFF partner organizations, The Emily Murphy Centre, Shelterlink Youth Services, and Stratford House of Blessing Foodbank.
“The holiday season is a joyous time for many of us, but for others who are struggling, it can be challenging,” says SFF General Manager Bill Harris. “This film celebrates the importance of a community coming together to support each other in the good times and bad, so we thought it would be a time to partner with local organizations who could use a little extra help.”
Representatives from each group will be on hand on the evening of Dec. 21, to accept additional donations of personal care items, non-perishable goods, children’s books, school supplies, and gift cards. Wish lists specific to each organization, are listed below or can be viewed on the SFF website.
This Pay-What-You-Can screening has a suggested donation level of $10 for adults and $5 for children, with all proceeds being shared between partner organizations.
SHOW TIMES
Cool Shorts for the Holidays
(8 screenings throughout the weekend)
Running Time: 75 minutes
Appropriate for ages eight plus
Suggested Donation $5 Adults/$2.50 Children
It’s A Wonderful Life
COMMUNITY OUTREACH SCREENING
(*only plays Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.)
Running Time: 2 hrs, 15 min
Appropriate for ages eleven plus
Suggested donation $10 Adults/$5 Children
Dec. 20
Cool Shorts for the Holidays
4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Dec. 21
Cool Shorts for the Holidays
4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Dec. 21
It’s A Wonderful Life
8 p.m.
Community Outreach Screening to benefit partner organizations
Dec. 22
Cool Shorts for the Holidays
4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Reservations for all screenings can be made at the Stratford Film Festival website.
Partner Organization Wish Lists
Founded in 1989 and located in Stratford, the Emily Murphy Centre is a Second Stage Housing facility for abused women with or without children, serving Perth County and the surrounding area.
Emily Murphy Centre Wish List
- Diapers
- Hygiene supplies (tampons, pads, full-size shampoo, conditioner & body-wash)
- School supplies
- New Books and toys
- New linens and towels
- Grocery gift cards
- Walmart gift cards
- Canadian Tire gift cards
Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank
Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank provides emergency support for people in their immediate time of need, and hosts multiple programs including their food bank, fresh start, community meals, and specialized programs for babies, kids, and adults.
Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank Wish List
- Crackers
- Cookies
- Boxed Side Dishes (mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese)
- Canned Soup
- Canned ham, chicken, or salmon
- Peanut Butter
- Canned Vegetables
- Kids School Snacks (nut-free granola bars, apple sauce, fruit roll-ups)
- Pasta
- Pasta Sauce
Shelterlink Youth Services has been supporting Perth County youth experiencing homelessness, or those at risk of homelessness, since 1991, through prevention, advocacy, shelter and communication connection services.
Shelterlink Youth Services Wishlist:
- Deodorant
- Men's underwear
- Kleenex/tissues
- Tampons
- Gift cards from McDonald's, Tim Hortons
- Gift cards for Walmart, Canadian Tire, Staples
- Grocery store gift cards (Sobey's, Food Basics, Zehr's)
LEARN MORE
For more about the Stratford Film Festival, a registered non-profit, visit: stratfordfilmfestival.com
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