Two days of award-winning Canadian and international films about artists and innovators from the worlds of the visual and performing arts. After each screening session, a Q+A with a panel of the film-makers will be held.

Saturday, October 15: 7:00pm

CANADIAN PREMIERE: A Not So Still Life

"Award-winning glimpse into the kaleidoscopic mind of Ginny Ruffner, internationally celebrated artist as beloved for her magnanimous spirit as for her evolving "visual thought experiments." Experience the full span of Ginny’s fascinating journey, from her childhood in South Carolina to her emergence as a world-renowned artist. Meet the luminaries in her orbit, including Dale Chihuly, Graham Nash, and Tom Robbins. Witness Ginny’s determination to recover from the accident that nearly claimed her life, but barely even slowed her constant re-invention of the world around her. Directed by Karen Stanton and produced by Tom Gorai.

Winner “Golden Space Needle Award” Audience Choice Best Documentary - Seattle International Film Festival 2010 and Official “Best of the Fest” - Palm Springs International Film Festival 2011

Sunday, October 16 – 1:00 pm

First Steps

First Steps is a short personal diary on film. Filmmaker Jason DaSilva chronicles his life since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three years ago. He explores the nature of this neurological disorder using motion capture techniques developed for computer generated animation and demonstrates his determination to carry on his work as a filmmaker.

75 Watts

Profiles Matt Giordano, a young and talented drummer faced with the challenges of Tourette Syndrome. He hopes his recent move to Denver, Colorado will help fuel his creative pursuits and lead him to a fulfilling life.

Rehearsing the Lesson

Rehearsing The Lesson documents the creation of an innovative interpretation of Eugene Ionesco’s theatrical masterpiece. The film takes us behind the scenes, as Les Productions des pieds des mains’ eight dancers and performers tell the story of a professor who is compelled to transmit knowledge with disastrous and macabre results. The production brings a compelling new perspective to the play’s themes of power and knowledge. Integrating performers with and without intellectual disabilities, the production directly engages our concepts of normalcy and marginality, generating an alternative aesthetic in which the marginalized nourish and transform the mainstream.

WORLD PREMIERE: How Does It Feel

Kazumi Tsuruoka sings Smokey Robinson like no one else. His cerebral palsy, which impairs his motor control and speech, becomes a soulful instrument, transforming audiences and himself through the power of voice. Like many people, Kazumi was daunted by the idea of singing in public. But at 58, he has decided to use his awe-inspiring singing voice to channel his CP. As Kazumi draws from his exuberant, poignant and painful experiences, performer and teacher Fides Krucker guides him to embrace his inner artist. Kazumi’s one-man show features songs like Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of my Tears,” which take on new and unexpected meaning in this moving account of self-discovery and transformation through the power of song.

Toronto-based director and picture editor Lawrence Jackman has worked on many award-winning documentaries and dramas during the past decade. He focuses primarily on independent docs and has a long-standing association with the National Film Board of Canada.In 2005, Jackman was nominated for a Gemini Award.

A Q+A with the film-makers of How Does It Feel will follow Sunday's films. Films are closed-captioned; ASL will be provided for Q+A.

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