Come with questions, come with Kleenex, but come prepared because these films were not made for passive viewing.
KDocs, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) very own documentary film fest, is kicking off a four-day film fest from Feb. 15 to 18 with 14 provocative, timely and critically acclaimed documentaries.
Hosted in partnership with the Vancouver International Film Centre/Vancity Theatre, KDocs showcases award-winning documentary films, directors, filmmakers, keynote speakers, panelists, exhibitors and community members. Film-goers will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussion, debate and dialogue as they investigate today’s most pressing global issues.
“My love of film is equaled only by my love of students and learning, so KDocs is the perfect way for me to truly do what I love in every way,” said KDocs founder, festival director and KPU English instructor Janice Morris. “We’re tackling some very serious topics this year, which documentary as long-form storytelling is the perfect vehicle for. We really get to do a deep dive into the issues that concern our communities and our world.”
Back for a second time this year is KDocs Talks, a Ted Talks-esque digital archive of the festival’s keynote addresses, panel discussions and question and answer periods. Hosted on its own YouTube Channel, and filmed and posted under a Creative Commons license, KDocs Talks are designed to be shared as a social justice resource in addition to the films they accompany.
From controversial proposed pipelines to the Black Lives Matter movement and the Sixties Scoop, during which an estimated 20,000 Indigenous children were forced from from their homes, to, KDocs offers a timely and thought-provoking line-up of documentaries:
KDocs Film Festival 2018
The Caretakers, Feb. 15, 5:15 (opening gala quadruple feature; director David Goldberg in attendance)
How to Stop a Pipeline, Feb. 15, 5:15 (opening gala quadruple feature)
To the Ends of the Earth, Feb. 15, 5:15 (opening gala quadruple feature)
Modified, Feb. 15, 8:15 p.m. (opening gala quadruple feature)
Solitary, Feb. 16, 11:45 a.m. (director Kristi Jacobson in attendance)
Death by Design, Feb. 16, 2:45 p.m. (RATED FOR YOUTH)
Vancouver: No Fixed Address, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m. (director Charles Wilkinson in attendance; RATED FOR YOUTH)
Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS, Feb. 16, 8:15 p.m.
Birth of a Family, Feb. 17, 11:45 a.m. [RATED FOR YOUTH]
Generation Revolution, Feb. 17, 2:45 p.m. [RATED FOR YOUTH]
Shadow World, Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. (director Johan Grimonprez in attendance]
Black Code, Feb. 17 8:30 p.m. (RATED FOR YOUTH)
Workers Voices, Feb. 17, 3:30 p.m. (special closing night double feature; reception at 7:50 p.m.; RATED FOR YOUTH]
Dolores, Feb. 17, 5 p.m. (special closing night double feature; reception at 7:50 p.m.; RATED FOR YOUTH)
Regular screenings are $5. Gala screenings with reception are $10. Gala screening combo tickets are $12. Full festival passes are $40. Several screenings have been Rated for Youth, check the film details for classification.
For the full festival program and ticket information, visit kdocsff.com, or follow KDocs on Facebook and Twitter.
KDocs is KPU’s very own documentary film festival, led by learners and educators from all of KPU’s communities. KDocs contributes to KPU’s engagement of various and varied communities, through documentary screenings and community dialogue, in critical thinking and understanding about ourselves, our communities, and our world.
Story by Tatiana Tomljanovic