The Fundy Film Society

Fundy Filmmakers Night 2

P is for Papaya (2007) 8 min
It sucks when your heart is broken by a fruit…
In 2003, unbeknownst to the general public, a genetically modified papaya began to appear on Canadian supermarket shelves despite claims that it had not been adequately tested to ensure its safety. Canada and the United States are the only two countries in the world to have approved it for human consumption. Told as a love story gone bad, this short animated documentary reveals some of the sour secrets beneath the skin of this popular tropical fruit.
Official selection: Planet in Focus International Film Festival (Toronto); Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal.

Aube Giroux
was born in Montréal and grew up in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She has a BFA in Media Arts from NSCAD (Halifax) and is currently completing an MFA in Film Production at York University (Toronto). Aube’s films have been broadcast on CBC and shown at various Canadian film festivals. She recently spent 2 years in Europe working with Oscar-winning company Bard Entertainments in London as well as Article Z in Paris. Her films focus on food and environmental issues.

The Three Dimensional World of Joshua Kalfa (2000) to Horses in Steel (2007) 14 min
A video portrait of a unique Toronto sculptor, Joshua Kalfa, who basically works in two dimensions. This project was made as a labour of love, Joshua being an old family friend of Smith’s and his son’s Godfather. It was initially made as a private home video/portfolio piece. Out of this came Horses In Steel (2007), which will follow the screening of the main piece.

Kimberly John Smith
of Canning achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in performance from York University (Toronto) in 1981. He has worked extensively in theatre, film and television since that time. His professional experience ranges from being an actor to a set technician, artistic director, writer, musician and video maker. He has worked on every kind of production from blockbuster Hollywood films like The Titanic to charitable projects like The Creative Arts Play Group for The Alexander Society for Special Needs. He also developed a series of non- hierarchical improvisational activities called “Movie Games” to facilitate learning the language of motion pictures.

Portia White: Think on Me (2000) 50 min
uncovers the unique life of Canadian-born contralto Portia White (1911-1968) who achieved unparalleled international success during the tumultuous 1940s. A singer of remarkable talent, she was known as “Canada’s Marian Anderson”. This lyrical documentary blends rare archival footage and haunting performance recordings of Portia White, interviews with family members, former colleagues and students who after years remain inspired by her. Portia White: Think On Me is the first major work about the life and career of this extraordinary Canadian singer. This screening is the first of what Ms. Hamilton hopes is many in this 40th anniversary year of Portia White’s death.

Sylvia Hamilton
BA (Acadia), MA (Dalhousie), LLD (Dalhousie),D.Litt. (Saint Mary’s)
is a filmmaker and writer known for her award-winning documentary films as well as her publications, public presentations and extensive volunteer work with artistic, social and cultural organizations on the local and national levels. Her films include Black Mother Black Daughter (1989) Speak It! From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia (1993). Her new one-hour documentary film, The Little Black School House, is scheduled for release in 2008. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to arts and culture, Sylvia Hamilton was awarded The Portia White Prize, Nova Scotia’s highest arts award (2002). In addition to developing films through her company, Maroon Films Inc., she teaches part-time at the School of Journalism at the University of King’s College. She is also the National Chair of the Women in Media Foundation. Sylvia lives in Grand Pré.

The Wait (2006) 24 min
High school is over, summer is ending and Jake’s best friend is leaving. To avoid the inevitable heartache, he seeks out escape by any means possible. Somewhere, between now and forever is a moment where plain cheese pizza is profound, freaking out is ordinary, and saying goodbye is just the beginning.
World Premiere: Toronto International Film Festival, 2006
Award: Joy Post (Linda Joy Media Arts Society) 2006

Ann Verrall
is a graduate of the NSCAD (Halifax). Verrall attended the National Voice Intensive (UBC) and has taken numerous workshops at Equity Showcase Theatre (Toronto). Her films combine a visually rich cinematic style with genuine performances from young actors. The Water’s Tale (1996) received a Special Jury award (New York Exposition of Short Film and Video), Experimental Drama Bronze Award (Worldfest, Houston, Texas) and three awards (Atlantic Film Festival) including the Margaret Perry award for Best Produced Film. Rain (2000) won Best Atlantic Short (Atlantic Film Festival) and was curated into a Best of the Canadian Film Centre’s WorldWide Short Film Festival which toured Australia in 2002. Her first feature, Nonsense Revolution (2008) is in post-production.

The Prince and the Grail (2000) 72 min
Prince Henry Sinclair was a 14th century Scottish Nobleman who was the last Earl of Orkney and a kin to the man who built the famed Rosslyn Chapel. Few followers of the Templar Legacy are unaware of the story of Sinclair, a man of Scottish and Viking lineage, and a true adventurer worthy of his combined heritage. In search of the Holy Grail, Prince Sinclair traveled across the sea to Nova Scotia in 1398 — a century before the famed voyage of Columbus. This documentary uses location footage, costumed actors and interviews with experts to trace and examine the transatlantic journey and its historical context. Fred Macdonald was the cinematographer and Ed Thomason was the writer.

Robert Hutt
has had an extensive career in television and film in Toronto and Halifax. He worked with CBC Toronto as a director of photography and a photojournalist, eventually coming to Halifax as executive producer of Current Affairs responsible for Land and Sea. Under his guidance this series became a landmark program in the CBC lineup increasing viewership by 600%. He also created and taught courses for new producers and on-camera staff both at the CBC and Holland College (Charlottetown). Hutt has also done extensive work as an independent filmmaker. He is president of Charing Cross Productions, formed in 1997 to produce television documentaries including The Prince and the Grail. Mr. Hutt resides in New Ross.