WIFF wows after two-year absence

After two years of dark screens, the Windsor International Film Festival roared back with 45,000 tickets sold to attend its annual extravaganza.  

Audiences were treated to 177 films shown throughout the festival including international movies and documentaries, along with 24 short films and 19 local films. All these films were screened at the Capitol Theatre, Armories and Chrysler Theatre for one and a half weeks.  Along the way, it wasn’t just the audiences who had a wonderful experience. 

 “I love it!” said Alison Boismier, volunteer at the WIFF. “I remember coming when I was little, when I was in grade school or high school and watching the film and I always loved coming. So, volunteering has been super fun, I have met so many people, other volunteers, who are super passionate about this or some people who are at the board or as well as just patron has been super awesome.” 

 ‘’WIFF is a community-based festival,” explained Idriss Askour, the Assistant Technical Director. “it is lovely to see it and I know it is mostly with the Windsor content we had most of the patron and audience come into those. It is a beautiful experience overall”.  

To promote Canadian films and filmmakers, this year WIFF offered annual cash prize of $25,000 and 10 films were nominated for this category. The winning film of this cash prize was “Riceboy Sleeps” directed by Anthony Shim. 

Along with that, WIFF also held the LiUNA! People’s choice awards and the winner was “Women Talking” directed by Sarah Polley. The film had a special screening on the last day of the festival. 

In his closing speech,  Vincent Georgie, the executive director and chief programmer of the Windsor International Film Festival, mentioned the return of WIFF 2023, and said preparations will start this week.