COMMFFEST Global: Community Film & Arts Festival
Bringing communities together for social empowerment
By Leila Monteiro Lins
The 2018 COMMFFEST will celebrate 13 years from October 10-16 screening in movie theatres and exhibition spaces, presented yearly by a group of dedicated volunteers. COMMFFEST a charitable corporation makes its home in one of Toronto’s most fast growing, economically diverse neighbourhood, Old Town Toronto, where many languages are spoken and where memorable films like Robcob; Cinderella Man, Chicago, X-Men, The Hurricane, and Against the Ropes were created.
FESTIVAL
COMMFFEST is a film and arts festival that presents a broad range of local and international films representing current affairs and relevant issues that affect our society. COMMFFEST provides opportunities for emerging filmmakers, artists, musicians and global community stakeholders to express themselves freely and to connect with audiences on a more personal level. This unique blend of film, filmmakers and audiences creates a dynamic atmosphere to provoke thought and stimulate further understanding and exploration of ideas, attitudes, and emotions that can foster change – starting with the communities in which we live.
EDUCATION
The last 13 years Commffest has built a valuable platform for introducing new and emerging filmmakers as well as bring together communities and not for profit organizations with government officials in panel discussions to tackle pertinent issues often resulting in more funding and support for these groups.
Commffest strives to educate and create a hospitality environment where filmmakers and attendees can mix and mingle over food, drink and entertainment.
More about COMMFFEST
COMMFFEST attracts educators, artists, politicians, business leaders, socially conscious organizations and trendsetters.
Local Educational engagement:
Over 3000 Children from local schools Nelson Mandela Public School, Market Lane Public School, St Michael’s Catholic School, The Downtown Alternative School and afar now include the COMMFFEST festival experience as part of their annual curriculum.
COMMFFEST’S unique diversity invites the world to one local community event over several days in Toronto.
When: October 10-16, 2018 | Where: Lucie Thornton Blackburn conference bldg (wheel chair accessible) – 80 Cooperage/Front st, Toronto
THE BRAZILIAN
Director: Lucia Barata
When: Oct 13 at 5.30 pm
Where: 80 Cooperage St, Toronto (next to Distillery disctrict. George Brown College residence. Plenty of parking. TTC 514 on King St or 121d from Esplanade).
The film “The Brazilian” is an independent documentary that has been in production for the last 4 years due to being a lbor of love. The film is about the rise of a major ballroom dancer and choreographer Carlinhos de Jesus.Born in the poor outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Carlinhos raised into stardom just by following his dreams and by dancing through every challenge live has thrown his way.“Dancing is a celebration for me. It is a rite of passage,” said Carlinhos de Jesus.
Contact: Sandie de Freitas – sandie323@gmail.com
