The One World Film Festival, Ottawa’s longest running documentary showcase, is celebrating its 25th anniversary when it opens Sept. 25.
The festival is run by One World Arts, a charitable organization aiming to educate the Ottawa-Gatineau area on current, global issues, and one of the issues begin presented is the controversial construction proposal for the Keystone XL pipeline, which is shown in Above All Else, this year’s headliner.
The festival, which began in 1989 and is held at Library and Archives Canada on Wellington Street, is run by One World Arts, a charitable organization aiming to educate people in the Ottawa-Gatineau area about current issues.
So how does a volunteer-based film festival remain active for 25 years?
“A huge part of it is the volunteers,” says Zoe Mallett, the festival’s lead organizer and film programmer. “They come to the fest because they really care about the issues presented.”
A gala to celebrate the 25th anniversary is planned for opening night: there will be a DJ, free cake and a cash bar. “We wanted to have party,” says Mallett. “We wanted people to dance, have fun, and celebrate.”
The gala follows a screening and panel discussion for the film Above All Else.
Directed by American filmmaker John Fiege, it focuses on a group of landowners and activists’ attempting to stop construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, proposed to be put between Alberta and Texas. The film screened at SXSW in Texas, Hot Docs in Toronto and most recently at the People’s Climate March in New York before coming to Ottawa
“They invited the film, we checked out the festival, and it looks like a really amazing, intimate atmosphere,” says Fiege. “They put a very strong spotlight on the few films they have.”
Fiege is also running a free master class on Sept. 27, where he will discuss the making of Above All Else, and answer questions other aspiring filmmakers have concerning their own work.
Fiege says the reception of the film in Canada is more positive than he initially expected. “We’ve had an amazing experience everywhere we’ve played in Canada.”
Part of that may be due to the subject matter. The Keystone XL pipeline controversy has been closely by Canadian media on both sides of the fight. First proposed in 2008, the Keystone XL pipeline consists of a system of four pipelines which carry crude oil from Canada to the United States. Construction was completed on three parts by 2011, and now a fourth pipeline is proposed.
Documentaries often connect the local to the global and bringing nations together under one issue. One World exemplifies that in itself: it is a local event that connects people globally through the powerful medium of film.
“That’s why I work for this fest,” says Mallett. “We connect the subject matter to the viewer. We don’t just send people back out into the world after watching a heavy doc.”
One World is screening five films which cover a wide range of subjects.
When asked about the selection of films, Mallett says a lot of research was involved. Members of the selection committee look at films online, or attend other festivals to see what they are screening.
“Our main criteria is: Do we like the film?” said Mallett.
One World connects the broader community, with various organizations from Ottawa pitching in to help promote and support the event. Ecology Ottawa sponsor the event.
The One World Film Festival takes place September 25-27. All screenings are at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.