Returning for its 13th run, the Dave Barber Cinematheque plays host to the 2022 Gimme Some Truth documentary film festival held from Dec. 7 to 11.
Opening night will feature the newly annual documentary challenge Gimme 10 in 30!
A challenge with a cash prize of $500 for the audience favourite, Gimme 10 in 30! tasks 10 contestants with creating and completing a documentary film in 30 days, without any restrictions other than that the film cannot be over seven minutes long. As long as the films are documentaries, they can be anything from narrative to experimental in nature.
The contest encourages film makers to work outside of their comfort zones.
Olivia Norquay, programming co-ordinator at the Cinematheque, explained that the challenge highlights the Winnipeg Film Group’s core goals.
“This is what the film group is all about,” she said. “Encouraging filmmakers in general, and giving people access to equipment and cameras, and paying screening fees.”
The festival itself aims to provide an experience that mixes lectures and workshops with special events, as well as feature film screenings and short programs.
The opening night of the event will also include a reception at the PLATFORM Gallery with local filmmaker Kevin Nikkel. Nikkel will also be hosting a curated screening Dec. 10 called Not Forgotten Docs: Winnipeg Documentaries from the 1970s.
After the opening reception, a 9 p.m. screening of Ever Deadly is scheduled. This documentary directed by Chelsea McMullan and Tanya Tagaq combines concert footage with sequences filmed in Nunavut, bringing viewers through stories and songs with award-winning musician Tagaq at the lead.
The festival will also see several filmmakers in attendance, including Alexandre O. Philippe, who will be delivering a workshop titled “Scripting the Unscripted” followed by a screening of his two newest films The Taking and Lynch/Oz.
Director Rob Freeman will also be in attendance, virtually joining the screening of his new film Drop the Needle, a film about the Toronto record store Play De Record.
Queer film historian and programmer Elizabeth Purchell will be introducing her film Ask Any Buddy, described as a “snapshot of urban gay life,” as well as the film Sex Demon.
Chase Joynt will be present virtually for the screening of his new documentary, aimed at dissecting the media’s ongoing fascination with trans people, Framing Agnes.
All told, the Cinematheque has put together several diverse, new, local and Canadian short narrative and experimental documentaries for the festival.
More information on the Gimme Some Truth documentary film festival can be found at winnipegfilmgroup.com.
