The Jason Priestley-directed documentary Offside: The Harold Ballard Story and Vanessa Matsui’s debut feature Midnight at the Paradise are among the Canadian features tapped for a world premiere at the Whistler Film Festival (WFF).

The full film lineup for the festival’s 22nd edition — which runs Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 in Whistler, B.C., and online from Dec. 5 to Jan. 2 — also includes the Canadian world premieres of Boy City by Sean Cisterna and the previously announced Exile by Jason James, organizers announced on Wednesday (Nov. 2).

Offside, produced by Lone Eagle Entertainment and directed and executive produced by Priestley (pictured), is a feature-length doc about the late, controversial Toronto Maple Leafs owner. The CBC Docs original, announced as part of the pubcaster’s 2021 upfront presentation, is produced by Michael Geddes and Rachel Horvath, with other executive producers including Geddes, Chuck Tatham, Kevin Kimsa and Mark Slone.

Offside was produced with the assistance of the Canada Media Fund and CAVCO, and with the participation of the Ontario Creates Film Fund and the Rogers Documentary Fund. It marks Priestley’s return to WFF after the release of his last feature directorial effort, Cas & Dylan.

Midnight at the Paradise was directed by Matsui, and written and produced by Toronto-based Billfilms’ Bill Robertson. Paul Barkin executive produced the drama, about three Toronto couples at different stages in their relationship. It was produced in association with Alcina Pictures and funded with participation from Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates. The cast includes Liane Balaban, Allan Hawco and the late Kenneth Welsh in his final screen role. LevelFilm is handling Canadian distribution.

Cisterna (From the Vine) is the director of Boy City (GTE Productions) and Matthew Karzis is the writer of the comedy, about boy bands and their fans. Cisterna and Mariah Owen are the producers. The cast includes Jonas Chernick, who also stars in 2022 WFF title The End of Sex, which is directed by Sean Garrity and set to make its B.C. premiere at the fest.

A total of 86 titles — 41 features and 45 short films — will screen in nine program strands during WFF, which will open with the Western Canadian premiere of Noah Baumbach’s U.S. drama White Noise and close with the world premiere of French director Thierry Donard’s Human Extreme. Guillermo del Torro’s Pinocchio will make its Canadian festival premiere.

Prizes include the Best Canadian Feature Film award, which comes with a $15,000 cash prize sponsored by Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia, along with a production prize valued at $20,000, sponsored by Company 3.

Photo courtesy of the Whistler Film Festival