WIFF breaks attendance record, plans for bigger festival next year

The Windsor International Film Festival wrapped up a record-breaking festival Sunday with plans to be even bigger next year.

Ticket sales this year totaled about 24,000, an all-time high and up from last year’s 22,000.

One hundred and forty-three films from 21 countries were screened at the Capitol Theater, the Chrysler Theater and the University of Windsor’s new School of Creative Arts during the week-long festival.

When the festival started in 2005, attendance was less than 1,000. Attendance and interest began to increase with the arrival of executive director Vincent Georgie in 2008.

WIFF smashed attendance records by 10 percent this year and organizers want to expand from seven to 10 days next year — the festival’s 15th anniversary.

“There was a huge increase in audience. I loved it. We’re now going to a 10-day festival next year,” said Georgie.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens congratulated Georgie and WIFF on Twitter, saying the festival would achieve its goal of becoming the largest volunteer film festival in Canada.

Sounds like you're on the way to becoming the largest volunteer run film festival in Caanada!!

— Drew Dilkens (@drewdilkens) November 4, 2018

Proud to have our @ChryslerTheatre as one of the @WindsorFilmFest homes for their 9th year of screenings. Congratulations to @VincentGeorgie and your volunteer team behind you for another successful festival bringing Windsor Essex together #YQG #action pic.twitter.com/4asiAp8zEy

— St. Clair College (@StClairCollege) November 5, 2018