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Festival featured films from both sides of the camera

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The 2022 Southwestern Ontario Film Festival is returning to a full-scale, in-person program for the first time since the pandemic, Nov. 3-6. (Troy Shantz photo)

Troy Shantz

Sarnia’s very own film festival brought a hint of Sundance and Cannes to the downtown over the weekend.

Organizer Ravi Srinavasan greets a packed Imperial Theatre on the opening night of SWIFF on Nov. 3. The festival featured15 international and Canadian flicks. Troy Shantz
Organizer Ravi Srinavasan greets a packed Imperial Theatre on the opening night of SWIFF on Nov. 3. The festival featured15 international and Canadian flicks.
Troy Shantz

The 2nd annual South Western International Film Festival featured 15 international and Canadian flicks, up from seven at last year’s launch.
“It has grown quite a bit,” said organizer Ravi Srinivasan, a Corunna native and St. Patrick’s grad.
For those inspired to make films, SWIFF included a series of workshops to teach the art of cinema and give participants an opportunity to get behind the camera.

Sarnia native Lauren MacKinley instructed a workshop on short film production. The city is a perfect place for aspiring directors to experiment with the art, she said.

“I kind of want to give them a sense that they can do this.”

Canadian film director Nathan Morlando answers questions during a Q&A at the Imperial Theatre follwing the screening of his film Mean Dreams, which was shot in and around Sault St. Marie, Ont. Troy Shantz
Canadian film director Nathan Morlando answers questions during a Q&A at the Imperial Theatre following the screening of his film Mean Dreams, which was shot in and around Sault St. Marie, Ont.
Troy Shantz

The workshop had about 15 participants and covered the basics of planning, writing and producing a short film.

SWIFF also featured a Virtual Reality demonstration, and brought back its music series CineGAZE, which included Canadian rockers The Sadies.

This year’s festival was backed by multiple sponsors and had strong attendance at both the screenings and special events.

Jayden Kipling, a Grade 12 Northern Collegiate student, conducts a practice interview during a SWIFF documentary filmmsking workshop at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery on Nov. 4. Troy Shantz
Jayden Kipling, a Grade 12 Northern Collegiate student, conducts a practice interview during a SWIFF documentary filmmaking workshop at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery on Nov. 4.
Troy Shantz
Sarnia native Lauren MacKinley instructs high school students in a workshop on short films. The Northern Collegiate grad is a Toronto project manager who has worked on series that aired on Bravo and CBC. Troy Shantz
Sarnia native Lauren MacKinley instructs high school students in a workshop on short films. The Northern Collegiate grad is a Toronto project manager who has worked on series that aired on Bravo and CBC.
Troy Shantz
Toronto-based filmmaker Jonathan Staav directs students during a SWIFF workshop on Nov. 4.
Toronto-based filmmaker Jonathan Staav directs students during a SWIFF workshop on Nov. 4.
Lake Shantz, 4, tries out a Virtual Reality headset during A SWIFF demonstration at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery on Nov. 4. Troy Shantz
Lake Shantz, 4, tries out a Virtual Reality headset during a SWIFF demonstration at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery on Nov. 4.
Troy Shantz

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