Synopsis

The 2024 Oakville Film Festival celebrated 11 years as Oakville’s only independent film festival and ran from June 19th – 25th 2024. Over 7 days, The Oakville Film Festival presented 104 specially curated Canadian, local, and international narrative and documentary films, as well as short films and web series. OFFA celebrates cinema with galas parties, music and entertainment, and star appearances from the worlds of film and culture. A selection of films are available online only during the festival.

The festival launched with a free family friendly event and outdoor screening in Towne Square, Oakville, on June 19th, 2024.

OFFA worked with Staples, CHCH, Event Partner Film.Ca Cinemas, Active Parents, Have More Fun, and The True Inclusion Foundation of Canada to help create a fun, exciting and inclusive event for families. The event was followed by a special outdoor screening of the hit family comedy, "Honey I Shrunk the Kids", starring Rick Moranis and Marcia Strassman, in Towne Square.

OFFA and EY hosted the Thursday night gala at Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, with the Canadian Premiere of Director Charles Uwagbai’s uplifting film, "Kipkemboi", a Kenya/Canada co-production that tells the story of a teenage African math genius who brings the world financial markets to its knees. The gala was attended by Canadian/Nigerian Director Charles Uwagbai, Producer Leonard Farlinger, Thamela Mpumiwana, Elsie Chidera Abang, and others from the film. The film will be preceded by a special choreographed performance.

The OFFA Friday night gala was the Eastern Canadian Premiere of the action-packed Indigenous “heist” comedy, "The Great Salish Heist", in which a down-on-his-luck First Nations Archeologist seeking redemption teams up with a group of misfits from the Rez to break into a museum and reclaim sacred artifacts that rightfully belong to their people. "The Great Salish Heist" delivered comedy, action and a deeper message about stolen Indigenous artifacts, and their rightful place. The film included a Q&A with Director/Co-writer and star Darrell Dennis, Co-writers and Producers Leslie D Bland and Harold Joe (the story is based on archaeological work producer Harold Joe has been involved with for the Cowichan and neighbouring nations, helping repatriate items stolen from First Nations.) Also attending are actors Craig Lauzon, Jake Labow, Ashley Callingbull, and Andrea Menard, as well as academy-award nominee Graham Greene. The film was preceded by a vocal and instrumental performance from award-winning Métis singer/songwriter, Andrea Menard (who is also in the film).

Film guide: https://offa2023.eventive.org/films