whistlerfilm's video: WFF21 Festival Trailer

The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) has announced the full film lineup for its 21st edition with a hybrid offering of online and in-theatre screenings that include award season contenders, breakthrough Canadian and heart-stopping adventure films, and award-winning stories from around the globe. Festival-goers can look forward to 81 epic, bold and inspiring films, including 40 features and 41 shorts curated in nine programmes. WFF is also proud to announce directorial gender parity, with 20 of 40 features and 25 of 41 shorts directed or co-directed by women or non-binary individuals. Great films continue to shine and tackle relevant issues of our time. From the deliciously sweet story of a refugee family carving out a new life in a new home (PEACE BY CHOCOLATE) to thought-provoking perspectives on mental illness (LUNE) and assisted death (MOON MANOR), WFF21 films share perspectives across cultures (EVELYNE, ALTAR BOY), highlight LGBTQ stories (DAWN HER DAD AND THE TRACTOR, MOON MANOR, PAT ROCCO DARED), Indigenous stories (TZOUHALEM, RUN WOMAN RUN, PRECIOUS LEADER WOMAN), environmentalism and more. In a year like no other, indie filmmakers continue to show that social distancing doesn’t stop us from connecting to the stories that matter. In fact, the need to communicate through cinematic storytelling has never seemed stronger. ‘Canada’s coolest film fest’ continues to support emerging, diverse and domestic talent with 17 first-time feature films (42%), 56% of films directed or co-directed by women, including 50% of features and 61% of the shorts (20 Features, 25 Shorts), and 61% of the program premiering Canadian content – more than any other Canadian film festival this year. Films in competition will compete for 15 film awards and $36,500 in cash and prizes from juries composed of leading cinematic talent.