The excitement of the Windsor International Film Festival can now be felt through the summer, thanks to a new partnership.
WIFF announced Monday a sponsorship deal with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA), making it possible to expand the popular WIFF-365 film series throughout the summer months, in addition to the already ongoing monthly film screenings.
Brian Yeomans, chair of the DWBIA, said the $15,000 investment was ideal, considering the boost the screenings already give to downtown businesses.
"The impact that WIFF-365 has with downtown businesses, cultural landscape and creative economy is significant, and contributes to downtown's vitality, prosperity, creativity, engages captive audiences and affords us the opportunity to work together to make visiting downtown an exciting experience," said Yeomans.
The summer series will take place on Thursdays, effective this week and through the end of August. The number of showings available each week varies. Vincent Georgie, WIFF's executive director and chief programmer, said the excitement brought by the main WIFF, which takes place each fall, will certainly carry through year-round.
"The buzz that we feel WIFF brings to the downtown and all of the excitement that it creates, really builds quality of life and builds community," said Georgie.
So far, a total of 17 titles have been confirmed and will be shown at the historic Capitol Theatre. These range from a new documentary about Aretha Franklin to films starring the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Ethan Hawke, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton and others. These confirmed films include those being shown during Canada Day weekend and during Windsor PrideFest. Films have been scheduled through August 10 with titles still to come for the remainder of August.
Tickets to all WIFF 365 screenings are $14, with student tickets at $9 each with a valid student ID. Complete information about the film schedule and purchasing tickets is available at the Capitol Theatre box office or at WIFF's official website.