WOLFVILLE, NS (June 11, 2013) – Devour! The Food Film Fest (formerly the Slow Motion Food Film Fest) will make its expanded, annual debut November 13-17, 2013, it was announced today. The festival is also officially accepting film submissions via Withoutabox. The final film entry deadline is August 23, 2013.
Devour! The Food Film Fest is an international festival celebrating cinema, food and wine culture that takes place in the culinary epicenter of the province–Wolfville, Nova Scotia–with the third edition slated for November 13-17, 2013. The festival is managed by organizers Michael Howell & Lia Rinaldo and overseen by an advisory board made up of key players from the film, business & culinary sectors including honorary members director Robert Kenner (Food, Inc.) and actor/director Jason Priestley.
In addition to the planned 30 screenings of food films from around the world, the festival will expand to include a program of industry sessions, farmer’s market events, wine tours, chef demos, tastings & pop-ups, producer visits, and host receptions and special dinners celebrating the very best of local and international food and wine.
The now annual event will showcase some of the most engaging international documentaries, dramas, and short films that celebrate food on film, bring awareness of the impact of food, food culture and current food systems on our lives and to educate and entertain through the lens of food. The Town of Wolfville is a magnificent setting with a number of historic theatres and unique local venues all within walking distance set against the beautiful backdrop of the Annapolis Valley, only one hour from Halifax. Organizers are planning an official program launch for the beginning of September.
“We encourage the world of cinema and culinary arts to join us annually in Wolfville to celebrate this exciting collision of food and film. We are aiming to become one of the preeminent niche film festivals in the world through the enjoyment of gastronomic experiences, presentations of dynamic film and multimedia offerings and programming industry-boosting educational and networking opportunities,” said Executive Director Michael Howell.
“Wolfville is perfectly positioned for this kind of event across so many fronts–dramatic setting in the Annapolis Valley surrounded by wineries, producers, restaurants, historic venues & theatres and a supportive and keen culinary, film & arts community right out of the gate.” said Lia Rinaldo, Managing Director.
For more information on the newly, rebranded Devour! The Food Film Fest, visit www.devourfest.com.
For sponsorship information, contact Michael Howell at (902) 679-0297 or michael@devourfest.com. For film or program information, contact Lia Rinaldo at (902) 489-4796 or lia@devourfest.com.
ABOUT SLOW MOTION FOOD FILM FEST SOCIETY
Founded in 2009 by Slow Food Nova Scotia, the first festival took place at the historic Al Whittle Theatre in the centre of Wolfville, screening 11 retrospective food films to an audience of 1000 people. The event picked up momentum and doubled its size and attendance to 2000 with its 2nd edition in 2011, screening 30 new films from around the world. It garnered attention on a global scale and attracted support from director Robert Kenner (Food, Inc.) who became the lead adjudicator for awards given out for the first time and Hollywood actor Jason Priestley who hosted the event and participated as a celebrity chef.
The Slow Motion Food Film Fest Society was formed in January 2013 and the now annual event has been rebranded as Devour! The Food Film Fest. Slow Food Nova Scotia remains a founding partner and the event is still produced with the support of Slow Food International. Devour! will continue to contribute knowledge toward improvement in our food systems locally and around the world.
Michael Howell is the founder of Slow Motion Food Film Fest, Co-Chair of Slow Food Canada, a former CAEA actor & director and is currently a well-known, well-travelled chef (Tempestuous Culinary–tours of Italy) and for 10 years owned and operated the highly regarded Tempest Restaurant in Wolfville, NS.
Lia Rinaldo has been involved in the film industry for 20+ years, specifically working with the Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) for the past 22 years and serving as Festival Director for the past 12 years. She joined the Slow Motion team for the 2nd edition of the event and the board of Slow Food Nova Scotia in 2011.
At the end of 2012, Michael sold his restaurant and Lia left her full-time job at the AFF. These two passionate advocates of local food & film culture are committed to building Devour! into the top cultural and culinary tourism destination event in Eastern Canada.
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Media Contacts:
Michael Howell
Executive Director – Devour! The Food Film Fest
902.679.0297
michael@devourfest.com
Lia Rinaldo
Managing Director – Devour! The Food Film Fest
902.489.4796
lia@devourfest.com
