Kamloops Film Festival 29th Edition Line-Up Announced – The Kamloops Film Society
February 12, 2025
Opening Weekend Films Drive Back Home, Incandescence and Universal Language Spotlight Canadian Talent
March 6th to March 15th 2025 at the Paramount Theatre
Tickets & Passes Available at KamloopsFilmFest.ca
Kamloops, BC (February 12th, 2025) – The Kamloops Film Society is thrilled to announce the return of the Kamloops Film Festival for its 29th year. The festival takes place at the Paramount Theatre from March 6th to 15th, 2025. During this 10-day cinematic celebration, attendees will enjoy over 20 feature films across multiple genres, special events, insightful panels with filmmakers and industry experts, and a spectacular Closing Night Party.
“At the Kamloops Film Society, we believe in the power of film to bring people together and spark important conversations”, says Colette Abbott, Kamloops Film Society Executive Director. “The 29th annual Kamloops Film Festival is a celebration of this vision, with an exciting array of films, special guests, and an expanded industry program that we hope will help strengthen the future of film in our region.”
The festival kicks off with a red carpet reception, featuring a local wine tasting and the screening of Michael Clowater’s Canadian-made feature DRIVE BACK HOME. Based on the true story of Clowater’s grandfather Ernie and great-uncle Hedley, the film stars queer icon and multi-award winner Alan Cumming, host of The Traitors. The screening will be followed by a Q & A with producer Brian Mason.
Matthew Rankin’s UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, winner of the inaugural Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, offers a gentle sort of comedy set in a reimagined Canada where Persian and French are the two official languages and loneliness is the common currency. The film screens on Sunday, March 9th, which includes a post-film discussion with writer/actor, Pirouz Nemati.
Documentary highlights include Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s INCANDESCENCE, an immersive cinematic experience, weaving on-the-ground footage of the 2021 White Rock Lake and 2023 McDougall Creek Fires with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire. The film screens on Friday, March 8th, which will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and local subjects. SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO by Cree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard screens on Friday, March 14th. This feature documentary follows Indigenous nations as they reintroduce the keystone species to the land and will be followed by a Q & A with the film’s impact producer Jade Tootoosis.
New this year, we are proud to announce, Learn About Film (LAF), presented in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission. This is a two-day industry program designed for emerging and early-career filmmakers looking to enhance their pitch packages and access funding. LAF takes place March 7th & 8th and features sessions led by industry experts including representatives from Creative BC, the National Film Board of Canada, and Knowledge Network; 1-on-1 meetings, and a networking soiree.
Returning by popular demand, the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Festival will take place on Sunday, March 9th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm followed by a filmmaker reception. This free public event showcases 5-minute films by independent and professional filmmakers from the Thompson Nicola Regional District with cash awards sponsored by the Kamloops Film Society, Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, and Kamloops Arts Council.
DarkFest, presented in partnership with Drunk in a Graveyard, returns with two thrilling nights for horror-genre fans. Kaniehtiio Horn’s directorial debut SEEDS screens Saturday, March 8th, which is a campy revenge thriller that follows Ziggy, a Mohawk woman, who gets hired as an influencer for Nature’s Oath company and gets embroiled in a fight to preserve her people’s heritage amid corporate interests. On Saturday, March 15th, NOSFERATU: A SILENTS SYNCED FILM breathes new life into F.W. Murnau’s celebrated silent-era vampire flick with its orchestral classical score replaced by Radiohead’s dense and moody albums “Kid A” and “Amnesiac.”
The festival concludes with a dazzling Silent Film-themed Closing Night Party at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops! Step back in time and channel your inner silent era star or starlet, enjoy DJ music, fun door prizes, and a photo booth. The $35 tickets include a complimentary drink, refreshments, and a mouthwatering spread curated by Cordo.
Individual tickets and festival passes go on sale on Tuesday, February 12th, all of which are available online at kamloopsfilmfest.ca and directly at the Paramount Theatre during open hours.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops is the 2025 KFF host hotel. For information on discounted accommodation rates, visit kamloopsfilmfest.ca.
The Kamloops Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through Telefilm Canada and the Province of British Columbia. We gratefully acknowledge Kelson Investments Ltd. and our major festival sponsors:
- City of Kamloops
- Thompson-Nicola Film Commission
- UBCP/ACTRA
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
- Cordo Resto & Bar
KFF 2025 Feature Film Lineup:
DRIVE BACK HOME 2024 | Canada | Directed by Michael Clowater
Thursday, March 6th, 7:00 pm (Red Carpet Reception 5:30 pm)
Post-film discussion with producer, Brian Mason
QUEER 2024 | ITALY / USA | Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Friday, March 7th, 2:00 pm & Friday, March 14th, 6:30 pm
THE END 2024 | UK | Denmark | Germany | Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
Friday, March 7th, 6:30 pm
INCANDESCENCE 2024 | CANADA | Directed by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper
Friday, March 7th, 7:00 pm
Post-film discussion with filmmakers and special guests
FLOW 2024 | Latvia | Directed by Gints Zilbalodis
Saturday, March 8th at 2:00 pm (Kids 12 and under get in free!)
Includes educational family-friendly activities starting at 1:00 pm
SEEDS 2024 | Canada | Directed by Kaniehtiio Horn
Saturday, March 8th, 6:30 pm
Preceded by the short film, WE CAME FROM THE SEA and Q&A with director, Jeremy Lutter
ANORA 2024 | USA | Directed by Sean Baker
Saturday, March 8th, 7:00 pm
LA COCINA 2024 | Mexico and USA | Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios
Sunday, March 9th, 1:30 pm
BABYGIRL 2024 | USA and Netherlands | Directed by Halina Reijn
Sunday, March 9th at 6:30 pm
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE 2024 | Canada | Directed by Matthew Rankin
Sunday, March 9th at 7:00 pm
Post-film discussion with writer/actor Pirouz Nemati
KNEECAP 2024 | Ireland | Directed by Rich Peppiatt
Monday, March 10th, 7:00 pm
BIRD 2024 | UK and France | Directed by Andrea Arnold
Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30 pm
OH, CANADA 2024 | USA | Directed by Paul Schrader
Tuesday, March 11th, 7:00pm
Starting at 6:15pm, join local journalists for a panel discussion that will delve into the crucial role of local news in today’s media landscape.
RUMOURS 2024 | Canada and Germany | Directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson
Wednesday, March 12th, 6:30 pm
VERMIGLIO 2024 | France | Directed by Maura Delpero
Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00 pm
Followed by a Wine-ing Discussion at Cordo Resto & Bar
THELMA 2024 | USA and Switzerland | Directed by Josh Margolin
Thursday, March 13th, 2:00 pm
Arrive at 1:00pm for ‘Tea & Tactics: Protecting Yourself from Financial Fraud’, an informative presentation with complimentary tea and cookies
RED ROOMS 2023 | Canada | Directed by Pascal Plante
Thursday, March 13th, 6:30 pm
Post-film ‘Brew-ing Discussion’ hosted by the Thursday Film Series at The Noble Pig
DAHOMEY 2024 | Senegal | Directed by Mati Diop
Thursday, March 13th, 7:00 pm
SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO 2024 | Canada | Directed by Tasha Hubbard
Friday, March 14th, 7:00 pm
Post-film discussion with impact producer, Jade Tootoosis
THE BRUTALIST 2024 | UK, USA, and Hungary | Directed by Brady Corbet
Saturday, March 15th, 1:00 pm
ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT 2024 | India| Directed by Payal Kapadia
Saturday, March 15th, 6:30 pm
NOSFERATU WITH RADIOHEAD: A SILENTS SYNCED FILM 1922 | Germany | Directed by F. W. Murnau (1922) Radiohead Version Directed by Josh Frank
Saturday, March 15th, 7:00 pm
Pre-show DarkFest Reception with complimentary snacks and cash bar from 6pm-7pm.
Learn more at kamloopsfilmfest.ca
About the Kamloops Film Society
The Kamloops Film Society (KFS) is a charitable organization (#847953684 RR0001) dedicated to bringing the best in independent, Canadian and foreign cinema to Kamloops. The KFS operates the Paramount Theatre and runs the Thursday Film Series, the annual Kamloops Film Festival (KFF), which includes the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Festival; as well as the Stseptékwles Re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival and other micro-festivals throughout the year. The KFS has been operating for 50 years, officially incorporating under the British Columbia Societies Act on August 17, 1994.
Website + Socials:
Website: www.thekfs.ca
Facebook: Facebook.com/kamloopsfilm
X (Twitter) @kamfilmsociety
Instagram @kamloopsfilmsociety
For interview requests, please contact:
Jordan Rinaldi Wilman
Public Relations & Media Contact
[email protected]
Kamloops Film Society
The Kamloops Film Society is the umbrella organization that operates the Paramount Theatre and runs two main events: The Thursday Film Series and the annual March Kamloops Film Festival, which includes the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts Festival. The KFS has been operating for over 45 years and was officially incorporated under the BC Societies Act on August 17, 1994. In the spring of 2019, The Kelson Group purchased the Paramount Theatre and leased the venue to the KFS. The support of The Kelson Group and Ron Fawcett has made the venture possible as The KFS continues to make the theatre a cultural venue.
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