Kate Kroll’s Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story (Black Moon Media, Hangar 18 Media) is one of three features making its world premiere at this year’s Canadian Film Fest.

The festival runs from March 24 to 29 at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, screening 16 features and 50 shorts.

The Lunatic documentary, written by Kroll and Aynsley Baldwin, chronicles the life of American-Canadian professional wrestler Luna Vachon (pictured). Raven Banner is handling distribution.

Also set for its world premiere is Ingrid Veninger’s documentary Crocodile Eyes (pUNK Films). Written, produced and starring Veninger, the film follows four generations of her family through vignettes.

Last is Tarique Qayumi’s drama Conceiving Clara (Aquatinter Films). Written by Qayumi and Tajana Prka, the film follows a midwife who undergoes IVF under pressure from her mother-in-law. It is produced by Michelle Morris, Lael McCall, Prka and Qayumi.

Conceiving Clara stars Prka, Leo Solomon, Stephen J.F. Walker, Zohra Soroor, Mariam Hazhir, Makayla McIntosh and Kate Whiddington.

A number of short films are making their world premiere as well, including Josiah Dyck’s Cranes Like White Giraffes, Liz Shmuilov’s The Show Will Begin Shortly, Carri Chen’s Saturday Class, Robert Armanyous’ Thin Walls and Sid Santiago Zanforlin’s Black Empanadas.

Rounding out the short world premieres are Kristin Booth and Tim Ware’s Capacity and Josiane Blanc’s short documentary Wanda Justice Warrior.

There are three features making their Canadian premiere as well, including Rob Michaels’ English- and Farsi-language dramedy Please, After You (Vortex Media), produced by Khaled Sabbour. Written by Amir Kahnamouee, the film follows an Iranian-Canadian who picks up his cousin from the airport, only to realize the latter is seeking political asylum.

Next is writer-director Billie Mintz’ documentary Gold Bars: Who the F*ck is Uncle Ludwig? (Innov8r Entertainment). Produced by Mintz and Danny Weber, the film follows the daughter of Montreal lawyer Glenn Joseph Feldman, who joins her father in his multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit accusing his former business partner of living off Nazi gold.

Last is writer-director Joanna Tsanis’ supernatural film The Killgrin (Landed Entertainments, Zeus Pictures), which follows a woman who seeks unconventional help after a personal tragedy, only to realize she has a spiritual infection. The film stars Konstantina Mantelos, Cristo Fernández and Adam Tsekhman. The Killgrin is produced by Toronto-based Ali Mashayekhi and Zeus Kontoyannis.

Image courtesy of Black Moon Media, Hangar 18 Media