By Jill Sperling

Break out the popcorn: Kamloops Film Festival starts Thursday

Feb 27, 2017 | 4:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — Movie lovers are in for a treat when the Kamloops Film Festival returns Thursday. 

Organizers say the festival is growing in numbers each year, and not just in attendance. The annual event has more committee members than ever, and there will be more than 20 films shown over 10 days. 

The 2017 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Moonlight, is one of the films being shown at the festival, which runs March 2-11.

“We really try to bring in that next level of best films from the world and Canada that people wouldn’t otherwise get to see,” said festival chair, Dušan Magdolen.

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Magdolen says the festival set a record for attendance last year, with 5,200 people. 

In its 21st year, attendees can expect a wide variety of genres, but there is a special event just for horror.

“I’m actually really excited about Darkfest, which is our horror offering,” Magdolen said. “We do two films on the first Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. that are in the horror genre, so there’s The Eyes of My Mother, and The Girl With all the Gifts. If you’re into horror I think those are going to be really good.”

While the films being shown at the 10-day event are from all over the world, the festival also supports talent from within the province. Three B.C. films are being offered this year. 

Another highlight of the festival is the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) film festival. Neil Manuel is part of a group that has won top prize for their film submissions the last two years. 

This year Manuel’s employer, Joy Factory Films, is sponsoring the event, so he has taken on the role of festival judge. 

“There’s some great films this year, ranging from stuff that 12 to 13-year-olds have made, to all the way up to sort of old-timers,” Manuel said. “A big range of things: comedies, music videos, dramas, documentaries, it’s going to be a good time.”

Manel won’t be eligible for an award this year, but that hasn’t stopped him from submitting, and starring in another short film. 

“It’s just fun to be a part of,” Manuel said. “The best part of the KISS festival is just sort of seeing your work on the big screen, especially in a movie theatre watching something you’ve made that’s on a screen that’s like enormous with a whole bunch of people laughing along and sort of cheering. It’s great, it’s a great feeling to be a part of.” 
    
For more information about scheduling, venues, and tickets head to the Kamloops Film Festival website.