More local films in lineup for WIFF this year, organizers say
Organizers of the 19th edition of the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) say locally generated content is up by around 20 per cent from last year.
Nicholas Shields, from Windsor's Suede Productions, is the director and co-writer for the psychological thriller Depraved Mind that's being screened.
"We shot all around Windsor, mostly around Walkerville in the two towers that you would store whisky for Canadian Club."
The film is centred around a young amnesiac man who wakes up in a criminal hospital to find out he's a serial killer.
Windsor's Nicholas Shields is the director and co-writer for the psychological thriller Depraved Mind being screened at WIFF later this month. (Dale Molnar/CBC)
It's one of 186 feature films being screened at WIFF this fall, along with 38 short films — more than 300 screenings overall during the festival's 11-day run beginning Oct. 26.
After doing a film festival circuit in the U.S. for the past three and a half months, Shields says it's flattering to now have his fictional feature on the big screen in his hometown.
"I'm excited for people to see it here in Windsor and share a really big, fun night. This festival has a speculator lineup … always has. The programming is second to none, so we're really fortunate that we're even being said in the same breath as some of these other films.
WATCH | Trailer for Depraved Mind, shot primarily in Windsor and written and directed by Windsorites.
Tran Anh Hung's The Pot-au-Feu will open the this year's festival Oct. 26. The French historical romantic drama stars Juliette Binoche.
The festival and screenings are set to run for 11 days, ending Nov. 5.
This year, an entire slate of films is focused on Detroit, says WIFF's executive director and chief programmer, Vincent Georgie.
He says 2023 overall is a great year for film and for the festival.
"We're thrilled to be sharing our largest selection of programming yet, with outstanding films from all over the world," said Georgie.
"We are delighted to be highlighting some fan favourites alongside some incredible Canadian discoveries."
The opening weekend will include 10 previously announced Canadian film nominees being screened twice, with the winner being announced Oct. 29.
A screening of Sean Menard's 299 Queen Street West will close out the festival. It's a documentary about the rise of music videos in the 1980s that helped launch Canadian TV network MuchMusic.
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