Filmmakers, actors strut their stuff on red carpet

Were one to say “There’s nothing to do in Calgary,” you would be way off the mark — especially of late as festival season has arrived with a veritable plethora of events from which to choose. From M: ST9 Performance Art Biennial and The Wild-2018 Annual Alberta Dance Festival to Beakerhead and The Mashing, there would be no reason to stay at home and complain about the wretched September weather.

The Calgary International Film Festival, which closes tomorrow, Sept. 30, is the largest of all the festivals. The 12-day event is expected to attract more than 40,000 attendees. This year’s festival featured 178 feature and short films, galas, special events and more.

The Calgary International Film Festival is now the largest film festival in Alberta and is the sixth largest in Canada. It is also an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films and was named one of 50 Film Festival Worth the Entry Fee in both 2016 and 2017 by MovieMaker Magazine.

The opening gala, Sept. 19 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall saw filmmakers, actors and VIP’s strut their stuff on the red carpet. And for the first time since 2007, the festival kicked off with a western film — The Sisters Brothers. Stars the likes of Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Hilary Swank, Ryan Gosling, Nicole Kidman and Lady Gaga were in Toronto attending TIFF. So we were left with but a rumour Jake Gyllenhaal would be at the Calgary gala. No such luck.

Those walking the red carpet did include: festival executive director Stephen Schroeder; Calgary Film board of directors chair D’Arcy Levesque; Alberta Infrastructure Minister Sandra Jansen; representing presenting sponsor ATB, Shannon Burch, marketing vice-president; actors Andrew Phung and Renee Amber; film veteran John Scott with stuntman Brent Woolsey and professional bull rider Scott Schiffner; producer Lars Lehmann; actor Julian Black Antelope; producer Michael Roik; Calgary filmmakers Gary Burns and Donna Brunsdale; producer Holly Dupej; director Matt Embry; Circle of Steel’s Gillian McKercher, Chantelle Han, Robyn Ho and Guillaume Carlier; and others pictured.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS Calgary International Film Festival executive director Stephen Schroeder and ATB marketing vice-president Shannon Burch at the gala opening of the festival Sept. 19 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. The 2018 festival showcased nearly 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and more than 40 other countries. The 19th annual festival, presented by ATB, wraps tomorrow.

Calgary Film board of directors chair D’Arcy Levesque and Alberta Minister of Infrastructure Sandra Jansen.

Sidewalk Citizen’s fabulous treats were an added bonus for guests who attended the opening gala. Pictured, are GM Kylie Ward with colleague Matt Wallace.

Hundreds of movie lovers attended the opening gala. That Meiomi wine was available for tasting added to the cache. From left, Meiomi Wines’ Jolene Long, Magnus Lobo and Katerina Lucyk.

From left, Circle of Steel actor Chantelle Han, director Guillaume Carlier, actor Robyn Ho and director Gillian McKercher. The oil industry satire film had its world premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival.

From left, Alive associate producer Michael Roik, actor Julian Black Antelope and producer Lars Lehmann.

No doubt one of the busiest people throughout the festival was festival publicist Tiffany Burns.

From left, stuntman Brent Woolsey, legendary horse trainer John Scott and professional bull rider Scott Schiffner.

Paul Zimic, producer of Grass 2, Never Enough and executive producer of the recently released The Woman Who Loves Giraffes.

Calgary-based director Gary Burns and his wife Donna Brunsdale walk the red carpet. The couple’s film, Man Running, a very dark and haunting film, was screened this past Monday evening at The Globe Cinema.

Painkiller producer Holly Dupej and director Matt Embry.

Actors Andrew Phung and Renee Amber.