With their new, extra comfortable seats in place and a new era in views from the gallery seat to dawn, the Regent Theatre is announcing a summer series set to tickle the fancy of cinephiles.

The Regent Theatre is thrilled to announce their new Canada’s Top 10 Special Screening Series.

The series includes four acclaimed Canadian films that all ranked amongst the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) 2022 Top 10 List: I Like Movies (writer/director, Chandler Levack), Rosie (writer/director, Gail Maurice), Brother (writer/director, Clement Virgo) and Riceboy Sleeps (writer/director, Anthony Shim).

“These films represent a diversity of Canadian narratives and a breadth of Canadian talent from first-time filmmakers like Gail Maurice to veterans like Clement Virgo. Each of the four writers/directors brings a unique cinematic voice that is beautifully articulated in these films which I think our local indie-cinema-loving audiences will enjoy,” said Alexandra Seay, Executive Director of The Regent Theatre.

Rosie.

This series will be the first time these films have been shown on the big screen in Prince Edward County is supported by Telefilm Canada’s Theatrical Exhibition Program, which granted The Regent $50,000 last year to assist with the exhibition of Canadian content.

The Regent Theatre presented 13 special screenings of Canadian films in 2022, which, on average, grossed higher attendance than many regular-run features. Building on that success, the Regent continues offering these Special Screenings throughout 2023 and plan on bringing filmmakers to Picton for in-person discussions and audience Q&As.

The series includes a handful of acclaimed Canadian films ranked amongst the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2022 Top 10 List. It will be the first time these films have been displayed at the Regent.

“We’re excited to announce our new Special Screening Series, taking place throughout the summer with support from Telefilm Canada and the Royal Hotel,” said the Regent’s Digital Marketing Specialist Allen Steinberg. 

A major supporter of the summer-long event, the Royal continues to support its next door neighbour.

“We couldn’t be happier to help bring these four amazing films to the County alongside our friends across the street at The Regent Theatre. It’s not the first time The Royal has sponsored these Special Screenings and it won’t be the last,” stated Sol Korngold, Royal’s project lead and general manager.

As part of the Regent’s many ongoing community partnership initiatives, a different local organization will sponsor each screening.

The Regent is pleased to welcome two returning sponsors from last year back for this series:

Nancy Griffin’s Women, Worth and Wellness, a PEC-based organization supporting the well-being of women, is sponsoring the Regent’s first film of the series I Like Movies set to hit the screen May 5. 

Written and directed by Chandler Levack, the comedy-drama is set in the 2000s about a socially awkward 17-year-old who takes a part-time job at Sequels video store. He develops a complicated friendship with his older store manager. Alana Lawrence hopes to earn enough money to achieve his dream of attending film school at NYU. This is CFC alumnus Levak’s debut feature film. Levack will be partaking in a Q&A after the film

In celebration of National Indigenous People’s Day, Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) is sponsoring Rosie on June 21st.

Rosie is written, directed, and acted by Gail Maurice. This heartwarming comedy-drama is about an orphaned Indigenous girl forced to live with her reluctant, street-smart, french speaking aunt and her two gender-bending friends in 1980s Montreal. This film is Maurice’s debut feature. Maurice will be partaking in a Q&A after the film.

Brother, written and directed by Clement Virgo, will play on July 17 from 7 to 9 pm. This film is about the Sons of Caribbean immigrants, Francis and Michael face questions of masculinity, identity and family amid the pulsing beat of Toronto’s early hip-hop scene. This film is based on David Chariandy’s novel of the same name, directed and adapted by Clement Virgo. The Regent will welcome a special guest for a Q&A for this film. 

Riceboy Sleeps, written and directed by Anthony Shim, will play on August 7 from 7 to 9 pm. This film is a semi-autobiographical story based on the childhood of Shim. Set in the 1990s where a Korean single mother determined to provide a better life for her son than the one she left behind raises him in the suburbs of Canada. The Regent will welcome another special guest for a Q&A for this film. 

Those interested may purchase a Special Screening Series Pass on the Regent’s site: https://theregenttheatre.vbotickets.com/event/special_screening_shelter/93031 

This entitles the bearer to one ticket per film. Keep in mind that individual tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.