Wolfville, NS (July 20, 2017)- Devour! The Food Film Fest is thrilled to welcome Canadian film icon Gordon Pinsent as our guest curator for the 2017 Opening Night Gala Thursday, October 25 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Pinsent will attend the Opening Gala Reception at the Fountain Commons at Acadia University.
The presence of the Newfoundland-born actor is the perfect pairing to this year’s festival theme, A Celebration of Canadian Cinema & Cuisine. The 2017 festivities will shine a spotlight on Canadian film and food in recognition of our nation’s sesquicentennial. Pinsent has personally selected The Hundred-Foot Journey directed by Lasse Hallström to screen at the opening of the festival.
“It has long been a desire of ours to invite Gordon Pinsent to our festival,” said Devour! Executive Director Michael Howell. “Having an iconic Canadian open Devour! as Guest Curator fulfills a long-time dream. In this year of celebrating Canada 150, it is only fitting that one of our greatest actors launches our Festival celebrating food and film.”
Gordon Pinsent is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, director and playwright from Grand Falls, Newfoundland. Film roles include Away from Her, The Shipping News, and The Grand Seduction. Pinsent is a Companion of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2010, he gained notoriety with a new generation of admirers when a CBC This Hour has 22 Minutes comedy sketch of him reading Justin Bieber’s autobiography went viral. The autobiographical film River of My Dreams has been seen internationally this year, revitalizing our understanding of Pinsent as a Canadian treasure.
Devour! is also pleased to announce that it has secured provincial funding to support the growth and development of the festival for the 2017/18 year through the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
“The Government of Nova Scotia is proud to invest $85,000 to support Devour! and to increase international exposure for the province’s film and culinary sectors,” said Leo Glavine, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. “Events such as Devour! not only showcase our culture and heritage to national and international audiences, they also enhance communities’ pride of place. Stronger, richer communities help to build a more vibrant province. In addition, Devour! increases the profile of our local filmmaking community while providing employment opportunities for many businesses including the local food and beverage and event management sectors.”
Leading up to the October event, Devour! will be cultivating interest in the food film festival at home and abroad. August 2nd sees the team in New York partnering with The Long Beach International Film Festival to present Chefs & Shorts, a gala dinner with wine pairings inspired by short films. Back in Nova Scotia, the team collaborates with Le Caveau Restaurant at Domaine de Grand Pré to present Devour! The Vines, an intimate five-course meal paired with wine and films set amongst the grapevines August 4, 25 and September 1. Finally, organizers will announce the full program August 22nd at George Brown College in the heart of downtown Toronto. A special public-ticketed event will follow on August 24th, A Taste of Devour! at the Luxe Appliance Studio featuring celebrity chefs cooking up dishes inspired by films from the upcoming 2017 program. Festival packages, film and industry session tickets will be available August 29th.
“We’ve had a busy year of satellite events across Canada and around the world and already have a full roster booked for 2018,” said Devour! Managing Director Lia Rinaldo. “This is what will make Devour! sustainable for the long-term–working with global partners to bring a little piece of Devour! to them directly if they can’t make it to us in Wolfville this fall,”
For more information about Devour! and to purchase tickets now to our summer events please visit: devourfest.com/program.
About Devour!
Combining cinematic talent with extraordinary culinary and wine creations, Devour! The Food Film Fest is the world’s largest festival focused on food and film. Taking place in the culinary epicenter of the province, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, the seventh edition of Devour! is slated for October 25-29, 2017.
The Location
Only one hour from Halifax and Stanfield International Airport, is the agricultural heartland of eastern Canada, a thriving wine region and the home of Acadia University, one of Canada’s pre-eminent educational institutions. A rich cultural landscape infuses the region and its people with a respect for the riches around us. No place could be more perfect as the home of Devour!
Acclaim for Devour!
“One of the 23 Top Festivals for Foodies in the World” -American Express Essentials
“The New Napa of the North” -Gusto TV
“Canada’s Secret Foodie Destination” -The Hollywood Reporter
Discover Devour!
Devour! The Food Film Fest recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.
Media Contact:
Jill Chappell, Devour! The Food Film Fest, Marketing & Communications
