This 28th edition will be enlivened by 11 wonderful thematic programs. Africa takes centre stage in a Carte blanche selection programmed by the Durban International Film Festival. Queer artist and filmmaker Joseph Wilson will travel from London, England, to share his electrifying and inspiring filmography. And the illustrious Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin will honour us by attending a screening of some of the most significant short films of her career.

Not only will we welcome some high-profile guests, the Cinémathèque québécoise invites us to (re)discover the restored works of six filmmakers who pioneered the short film in Quebec with a session called Rediscoveries. Another leap back in time: World’s Worst returns with a new roster of cinematic fizzles that are nothing if not reminiscent of a bottle of wine bought at the dep just before closing time. With Genre Films to get things started, this evening will be nothing less than a “BYO Pepto” affair.

On the gentler side, our love of dance, art and experimental film will come to the fore in the kind of double bill that guarantees a successful Sunday. As always, the works speak for themselves as they inspire our final three themes. The housing crisis and related issues are explored from every angle in the Dwelling program; different expressions of femininity shine and glimmer in Girls Power; and the temperature rises palpably with our delightful (B)romance selection, exploring the boundaries of male friendship and intimacy and, just maybe, a little something extra.