Organizers of a new local festival say they’re bringing the “right” type of films to Library and Archives Canada this weekend.
The Free Thinking Film Society’s first ever film festival will feature a selection of politically conservative films at the Wellington Street venue, running Friday to Sunday.
The festival is a uniquely conservative event, according to organizer Fred Litwin, self proclaimed “gay conservative.”
Derek Fildebrandt of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation supports the festival because it broadens the range of films available to Ottawa audiences.
He worries the audience at most Ottawa film festivals is “fed a pretty steady diet of David Suzuki, Al Gore and Michael Moore.”
Despite the festival’s right-wing position, Litwin says he doesn’t expect the audience will be entirely conservative.
Most films address broad issues and could draw typically left-wing audiences. Canada’s own Reclaiming Pride is showing at 12 p.m. on Saturday and addresses what the festival website calls a “hijacking” of Toronto’s 2009 gay pride parade by a group opposed to Israel’s policies for the Palestinian community.
Centretown is home to Ottawa’s proposed gay village and Litwin says the gay community is only one of many local groups the films speak to.
The weekend begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday with U.S. film Kalifornistan, described as a “darkly comic satire on terrorism.”
Katyn, a film with a more traditional narrative is showing Saturday at 1 p.m. This Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film depicts the slaughter of Polish officers during Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1940.
The festival hopes to draw environmentalists – and their foes – with Mine Your Own Business – the Dark Side of Environmentalism at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The production’s website claims it “hacks away at the cosy image of environmentalists as well meaning, harmless activists.”
Movies won’t be the only attraction either.
Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, is scheduled to debate conservative political activist Ezra Levant.
The debate is an opportunity for politicians to “break out from the constraints of the political dialogue where everybody is on script,” says Kevin O’Donnell, Ottawa Centre’s Green Party of Ontario candidate.
“We don’t have to all agree in a democracy, we just have to get along,” he explained.
While some of the films may spark debate, Litwin says he hasn’t heard any voices opposed to the festival itself. He says the festival doesn’t aim to turn people from left to right; it’s about encouraging inclusive and open dialogue about current global issues.
Litwin hopes that a central location and broad range of films will ensure the festival’s appeal and accessibility. The Free Thinking Film Society shows films throughout the year and Litwin says they already have plans for a second festival in November 2011.