A nna Jane Edmonds’ documentary Dark Highway will make its world premiere at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF).

Dark Highway (Major Darlings) is directed by Edmonds, who also produced the doc alongside Gina Simone. The film uses accounts of survivors and community organizers to shed a light on the issue of human trafficking along Ontario’s 401 highway.

KCFF’s full lineup includes more than 80 domestic features and shorts, with Fawzia Mirza’s The Queen of My Dreams opening the festival.

The festival’s 24th edition runs from Feb. 28 to March 3.

B.C. government announces $15 million grant for festivals, events

The government of British Columbia is providing $15 million in one-time grants to festival, fairs and events in the province.

The support comes via the B.C. Fairs, Festivals and Events Fund in response to “calls for support from the sector” to tackle increasing costs, declining revenues, and impacts from severe weather events.

The fund provides up to 20% of an event’s total budget, up to a maximum of $250,000 per event. The events must have an operating budget of at least $10,000 to be eligible.

Reel Canada announces newest RBC Emerging Artists

Filmmaker Alicia K. Harris and Algonquin-Anishinabe/Cree actor Joshua Odjick have been selected as RBC Emerging Artists.

The program, which is supported by RBC Foundation in partnership with Reel Canada, supports organizations that amplify the careers of artist’s in visual arts, music, film, theatre, and dance.

For the next two years, the program will showcase the past and upcoming works of Harris and Odjick across Canada at in-school film festivals, virtual events and workshops, and with special events on National Canadian Film Day, according to a news release.

Harris’ roster of work includes the Canadian Screen Award-winning short Pick, CBC docuseries Black Life: Untold Stories, narrative short Only Light Will Touch Us, and the upcoming Freevee series Beyond Black Beauty (Sinking Ship Entertainment/Leif Films).

Odjick’s credits include the feature films Bootlegger and Wildhood, and the Crave and APTN lumi series Little Bird.

Gusto TV picks up two Taste Awards nominations

Ottawa-based international food channel Gusto TV’s has picked up two Taste Awards nominations for Global Veggies.

Global Veggies has earned Viewer’s Choice nods for Best Studio or Production Company and Best Single Topic Series. The series focuses on one plant-based ingredient per recipe which is prepared using signature flavors and techniques from a different country.

The nominations are in addition to the two special achievement honours that Gusto TV won for the show, including Best Set Design and Best in Canada.

The winners for the Viewer’s Choice awards will be announced at a ceremony on March 11 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.

Blue Mountain festival extends industry programming via Buffer Festival partnership

The annual festival in The Blue Mountains, Ont. has expanded in its third year, becoming the Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival, thanks to a new collaboration with Toronto’s Buffer Festival.

As part of the partnership, the 2024 edition of the festival has extended its Creative Forum to four days, taking place from May 30 to June 2. The first two days are dedicated to film and television, with the second half devoted to digital media, with screenings, panels, and networking opportunities.

The Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival was first launched in 2022, with Helen du Toit serving as artistic director.

Photo courtesy of Major Darlings