Today marked the official program launch for Nova Scotia’s hottest and most anticipated new festival
Halifax, NS (October 9, 2013) –- The Devour! festival program features five jam-packed days of food and film with 70 films handpicked from over 200 submissions, some of the nation’s top chefs and many other delicious food and film events.
From November 13-17, Devour! The Food Film Fest will welcome visitors to enjoy some of food and film’s biggest delights. The much-anticipated program was announced today at 2 Doors Down restaurant, and did not disappoint.
“Devour is proud and delighted to call Wolfville Nova Scotia “home”. The culinary and cultural epicentre of eastern Canada is the perfect locale for this festival,” says Michael Howell, Executive Director of Devour! “Through partnerships with Acadia University, The Town of Wolfville and the Municipality of the County of Kings, this Festival is sited perfectly to grow into the significant international event that it has the potential of becoming.”
Like any decadent meal, the festival follows the same sequence of events. The Appetizers will be served at the Opening Gala by some of the region’s leading chefs, followed by the mains. This will feature three of Canada’s top chefs paired with three Wolfville chefs who will be serving up three nights of show-stopping meals inspired by feature films. A sweet dessert finish at the Closing Gala & Awards will close out the festivities.
New to this year and running alongside high profile food events and films from 20 countries, a series of 90-minute industry sessions will be offered. The sessions will feature everything from top chefs giving culinary demos to film and food industry leaders giving advice on a variety of topics.
“We’re so happy we can deliver both on screen and on your plate. The festival will be a most decadent meal from start to finish,” says Lia Rinaldo, Managing Director of Devour! “The enthusiasm for the festival has been humbling. We look forward to hosting all of our special guests from the food and film industry as well as festival participants in beautiful Wolfville.”
To see the complete program, visit www.devourfest.com. Tickets for the festival’s screenings and events will be on sale Friday, October 11 at 12 p.m. AST online via www.devourfest.com and www.ticketpro.ca. Tickets are available by phone at 1-888-311-9090.
Tickets are also available at all Ticketpro outlets in Nova Scotia, including Box of Delights Bookshop (466 Main Street, Wolfville), Wilson’s Pharmasave (100 Station Lane, Kentville) and Video Difference (6086 Quinpool Road, Halifax). Please note that Ticketpro outlets accept cash or debit only. Tickets will be available at the Festival Box Office at the Al Whittle Theatre (450 Main Street, Wolfville) beginning November 13. For hours of operation, visit: www.devourfest.com.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Opening Gala Reception – The Five Senses – Appetizers prepared by eleven of Nova Scotia’s finest chefs, followed by the first festival screening of The Fruit Hunters from Canadian Director Yung Chang. The film features Independence Day star Bill Pullman. Participating chefs: Lewis Acker (The Port Pub and Bistro), Craig Flinn (Chives Canadian Bistro & 2 Doors Down), Mark Gray (The Brooklyn Warehouse), Dennis Johnston (of Fid Resto fame), Matt Krizan (Mateus Bistro), Jason Lynch (Le Caveau), Jeffrey MacNeil (Luckett Vineyards), Mike McKinnon (Acadia University), Martin Ruiz Salvador (Fleur de Sel), Frédéric Tandy (Ratinaud French Cuisine), Chris Velden (Flying Apron Cookery) and one national addition, Phil Bélanger (Dairy Farmers of Canada).
Three visiting national chefs will be paired with three Wolfville chefs to create decadent meals inspired by films in the program–Michael Blackie (NEXT, Ottawa) with Dave Smart of Front and Central, Scott Vivian (Beast, Toronto) with Jamie Smye of the Privet House and one more chef TBD with Sean Laceby of The Blomidon Inn.
Celebrated culinary and film industry professionals will take the stage throughout the festival to talk about a wide variety of topics. Speakers will include Bonjwing Lee of The Ulterior Epicure, Kathleen Flinn of Cook Fearless and The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry, Rachel Low of madHIVE MEDIA, Aube Giroux of PBS Food’s Kitchen Vignettes amongst others.
70 films, 21 features and 49 shorts, from around the world that have been featured at top film festivals including The Last Shepherd, Mussels in Love, More than Honey which was recently nominated for an Oscar in Best Foreign Language and At Any Price starring Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron.
Delicious food and wine events including the return of the Wolfville Magic Winery Bus, the ‘All You Need is Cheese Express’ sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Canada, Select Nova Scotia’s Food Truck Rally, a Wolfville Farmers’ Market Event and a Cocktail Party featuring award-winning mixologists, music and a food-takeover by Ace Burger.
ABOUT DEVOUR! THE FOOD FILM FEST
Devour! The Food Film Fest is an international festival celebrating cinema, food and wine culture. The five-day festival takes place in the culinary epicenter of Nova Scotia – the Town of Wolfville. The festival, formerly the Slow Motion Food Film Fest, is a celebration of food on film, the culture of food and the dramatic impact it has on our day-to-day lives. www.devourfest.com.
ABOUT THE LOCATION
Only one hour from Halifax, the Town of Wolfville provides the perfect setting for the Festival. It is situated in a rich agricultural area and is also home to one of Canada’s top universities, a number of historic theatres and an assortment of unique local venues that are all within walking distance and are set against the beautiful landscapes of hills, valleys, rivers and the mighty Bay of Fundy.
-30-
Media Contact:
Daphne North
media@devourfest.com
902.809.3274
