Creemore Film Festival in pre-production
Steve Lucas has a vision. He would like to see a full fledged film festival come to fruition in Creemore by January of next year. In the meantime, he is planning a special cinematic event this month that will support its creation and build some excitement.
Lucas is a theatre production designer, and cinephile. He said he originally planned to work in film but found it gruelling. He discovered he was better suited to theatre, working in set and lighting design. The Dora award winner has more than 500 productions of theatre, opera, dance and performance art to his name, taking him to more than 27 countries. Lucas’ personal interest in film hasn’t waned and he said he finally made his own short film during the pandemic. For some time he has had a desire to create a film festival that will bring world-class Canadian films to Creemore.
“I want to focus on Canadian film because we are in a cultural war right now with the United States and it is important to celebrate and showcase Canadian films,” said Lucas.
He said there are so many high quality Canadian films that never make it to theatres or streaming, and he wants people to see them and help break down the stigma that Canadian film is of lesser quality.
Lucas will start with one night of film on Jan. 24.
Throughout his 40-year career, he has met and worked with many actors who have gone on to produce and direct film, creating a bridge to the film industry. Two of his industry friends have agreed to show their films at the fundraiser. The red-carpet gala event will begin with a screening of This Is Not A Ghost Story, a short written and directed by Valerie Buhagiar, followed by a conversation with the filmmaker. The feature film will be the French language magical realist film Le Train, directed by Marie Brassard.
The fundraiser aims to make enough money to cover costs associated with procuring films, marketing, production, etc… As executive director, Lucas said he plans to cast a wide net initially when calling for submissions of both short and feature length films.
“There is a wide range of elements that makes a film Canadian,” he said. “I am open to any film that self-identifies as Canadian. Our stories are varied. We are a nation of immigrants and our stories are everywhere.”
When the Creemore Film Festival launches in January 2027, Lucas is hoping for three local venues equipped with high quality projectors, screens, and sound.
He said there is a social implication when people sit together in a room and experience a film at the same time, as a shared experience. He also plans to bring in as many artists as possible over the three-day event.
Lucas hopes to make the Creemore Film Festival an annual event.
Tickets for the Jan. 24 event dubbed Lights Up Creemore! cost $ 75 each and are available at ticketscene.ca/ events/57873.
The venue is Station on the Green. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. The event will feature chef-driven appetizers from beloved local kitchens, and Creemore Springs beer.
Image: A scene from This Is Not A Ghost Story written and Directed by Valerie Buhagiar.
