Canadian filmmaker Sean Garrity’s feature The Burning Season (pictured) has been selected to world premiere at the 2023 Whistler Film Festival (WFF).

The romantic drama is directed by Garrity, and co-written by star Jonas Chernick and Diana Frances. Chernick also produces under his banner Banana-Moon Sky Films, along with Andrew Bronfman. Northern Banner Releasing is attached as the Canadian distributor.

The Burning Season follows a love affair across seven different summers, with Sara Canning performing opposite Chernick.

The film joins previously announced Canadian world premieres for the Whistler festival, including Zoe.mp4 (Broken Mirror Films, Bright Idea Pictures, Boyko Media), She Talks to Strangers (Carkner Films) and Altona (Foreshadow Films, Langer Films). U.S. features May December, directed by Todd Haynes, and American Fiction from Cord Jefferson, are among the other newly announced titles.

WFF runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.

Rebecca Strom selected for GEMS Whistler Film Fest mentorship program

Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS) Vancouver, in association with WFF, has revealed Rebecca Strom as the recipient of the 2023 GEMS Whistler Film Festival Market Preparation Mentorship for her feature film, Until the Night Turns.

B.C.-based Strom has worked in Vancouver’s film industry for nearly 15 years and is currently co-developing a 10-episode digital series titled Dandyland with support from Telus StoryHive, slated for release on Optik TV in summer 2024. She has also worked on Before Mars, the 30-minute prequel film for Ron Howard’s Mars series, produced for the National Geographic Channel, and also co-wrote the short Wanderlust for Lipton Iced Tea. She has also penned the romantic zombie film, Bite.

Strom will receive an industry pass to attend WFF and its annual summit, as well as personal coaching sessions with her mentor, Karen Lam, prior to the festival. Lam is a veteran of the film and television industry since 2000 and has written and directed a number of projects, including a true-crime docuseries for Investigation Discovery in the U.S. as well as four features.

Until the Night Turns is about a sixteen-year-old girl struggling to run her family’s farm while her father operates an illegal dog-fighting ring, and is based on true events.

WFW hires veteran grip as Toronto branch manager

William F. White International (WFW), part of Sunbelt Rentals, has announced the hiring of Peter Newman as branch manager, specialty equipment in Toronto. He takes the post effective immediately.

Newman has been a grip in the Toronto film industry for 23 years. In addition to a number of commercials and music videos, he has worked as key grip on many productions, including Titans, The Umbrella Academy and Fellow Travelers. He has also been the key technician for The Amazing Race Canada.

“Pete’s extensive experience in the film and television industry is impressive,” said Trevor Huys, operational VP, camera, virtual production and specialty equipment for WFW, in a statement. “It was a natural fit for him to lead our specialty equipment business, working closely with filmmakers to ensure their vision comes to life.”

With files from Kelly Townsend

Image courtesy of WFF