Helping victims of abuse and creating cultural awareness are the goals of Southwest Festafilm, a fundraising project by Southwest Crisis Services in Swift Current, Sask.
The group is teaming up with Toronto International Film Festival organizers to bring a series of Canadian, foreign and independent (non-Hollywood) films to the city.
The Cinema Twin Theatre in Swift Current will screen the films on the second Monday of every month from October to May, with the exception of December.
All proceeds will help fund the group’s 24-hour crisis phone line and its safe shelters for abused women and their families.
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While the crisis line handles 400-500 calls a year, the agency has not noticed a significant jump in this trying farm year.
Southwest services director Joyce Goodhand sees the project as a way to add to Swift Current’s vibrant arts scene while helping people in need.
“The reason for Festafilm is twofold – to generate funds for the programs and to provide a different cultural experience for our residents,” said Goodhand.
“We had great support from the folks at Cinema Twin too, because they were anxious to show some different films too, so they’ve been very supportive.”
Last year, Festafilm generated about $4,000 for the group’s programs.
Festafilm’s second season will kick off Oct. 13 with Keith Behrman’s first feature length film, Flower and Garnet. The 2003 portion of the schedule will wrap up Nov. 10 with the Canadian film, Marion Bridge, starring Molly Parker.
The season resumes with Whale Rider, a German/New Zealand production Jan. 12. Other movies are: American spelling bee documentary, Spellbound, Feb. 9; the Chinese film, Together, March 8; U.K. film, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, April 12; and a Canadian drama starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Owning Mahowny, May 10.
All films begin at 7 p.m. Call 778-3386 or 773-3370 for information.
