COMMFFEST Sept 14-22- 2023 | commffest global community film and arts festival

panel discussions

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At the Coop d'habitation St-Louis, everyone was able to find a home, security and a haven from the housing crisis. Filmed over two years in Gatineau, My Mom's Co-op introduces us to a place where 42 individuals and their families take on the challenge of collective management. The filmmaker’s aging mother and the other members of the co-op resist the pull of the individualism in their daily lives, creating a better way of living together.

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Black History Month- The 26th Anniversary

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The 26th anniversary of Black History Month Presented by Commffest Global Community Film Festival Producer Rosemary Sadlier Hosts Rosemary Sadlier and Julia Brown In Association ASALH (Association for the Study of African American life and History) “Healing the harms: Blackness and impacts on beauty identity and achievement” Concepts of Beauty and Identity Impacts on American and Canadian Achievement Featuring: Clip “Subjects Of Desire” Producer “Jennifer Holness” Clip from panel discussion “Mental Illness and Racism in Youth” Produced by Commffest) Performance by Sagelee Archer Film: GEORGE FLOYD: Say Their Names, producer Chris Owens York University Gospel Choir

A comedy special

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The COVID-19 pandemic cut the world off from experiencing live comedy, but laughter prevailed. We followed comedians and comedy club owners across the country and saw how the pandemic didn't stop comedy, it reinvented it.

The world shut itself down in 2020. As cities, states and entire countries reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants, bars and other small businesses were forced to shutter their doors. Among the industries cut off from the world was live entertainment – and for comedians, comedy producers and comedy venues specifically, that posed a challenge.

The Ranking File

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The Rankin File: Legacy of a Radical Teresa Alfeld director John Bolton Producer Canada 1.30m

A documentary investigation into the colorful and sometimes controversial life of Vancouver lawyer, city councilor and socialist icon Harry Rankin.

Talk on mental illness and racism in youth

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Talk on mental illness and racism in youth

An evening of open conversation sponsored by Commffest that looks to explore racism and how it impacts mental health.

Rosemary Sadlier (Moderator) Rosemary Sadlier, she/her, is an author, consultant and the unpaid past president, for 22 years, of the Ontario Black History Society, and, under her trailblazing leadership (building on the efforts of ancestors and elders), achieved numerous public commemorations related to the African Canadian community including February as Black History Month, and most recently, August 1st as Emancipation Day to affirm and honour our long-term and continuing contribution to Canada.

Jason Kandankery Moderator) Jason Kandankery, he/him, is a Principal with the Toronto District School Board who worked in Regent Park over the last 10 years and is now working in Scarborough. He is passionate about working in under-served communities and how we can work to ensure schools are sites of liberation and possibility for all students. Jason believes schools must work in partnership with the communities we serve by putting anti-oppression at the centre of our actions.

Simone Donaldson (Panel Presenter) Simone Donaldson is the founder,Clinical Social Worker, and principal consultant at Agapé Lens Consulting and Therapy. She has devoted almost 15 years to racialized communities and mental health. Simone provides individual psychotherapy for Black youth and adults, and consults with organizations to bridge the gap between equity and wellness concerns, with a specialization in Anti-Black racism. Simones’ purpose is to support all her clients to see sustainable change, while guiding them patiently and safely towards authenticity, so they may heal, thrive, and live out their purpose .

Dr. Ghadah Almahr (Panel Presenter) MD, Consulting Hypnotist, life and health coach, certified in applied positive psychology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Ayurveda lifestyle. Founder of Heaven Smile Center in Toronto, a wellness center, focusing on integrative health, mind-body connection, and empowering the community to have optimum physical and mental health. She has offered several workshops in the field of wellness and life balance

st alw The 2023 COMMFFEST will celebrate 18 years from September 15 -22 screening online in movie theatres and exhibition spaces, presented yearly by a group of dedicated volunteers. COMMFFEST a charitable corporation makes its home in one of Toronto’s most fast growing, economically diverse neighbourhood, Old Town Toronto, and where many languages are spoken.

COMMFFEST presents a broad range of local and international films representing current affairs and relevant issues that affect our society. COMMFFEST provides opportunities for emerging and professional filmmakers , artists, musicians and global community stakeholders to express themselves freely and to connect with audiences on a more personal level. This unique blend of film, filmmakers and audiences creates a dynamic atmosphere to provoke thought and stimulate further understanding and exploration of ideas, attitudes, and emotions that can foster change – starting with the communities in which we live.

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Our Story

Commffest was founded on the principal of empowering communities by identifying their struggles and similarities using film as a global connectivity.

Since 2005 Commffest has enlightened and showcased amazing heartwarming stories that educated inspired while entertained. We have witnessed organizations come together from different parts of the world as one cause. Filmmakers have travelled from as Far as South Africa, the Caribbean the US England and Ireland to present their work and dialogue with our audiences.

Our audiences in turn have expressed their joy and their appreciation championing our filmmakers for the dedication and courage to make their film. But the one thing we did not anticipate was the impact Commffest stories has had on schools and the youth. By giving them free access to Commffest programming these young minds were able to see a world not always available through the traditional education system become empowered at the thought that they too can change the world and make a difference. So we continue with our work as along as even one person is enlightened, because at the end of the day people matter and they want their voices to be heard.

COMMFFEST mission statement:
To advance education by raising the cultural, artistic and aesthetic expression of communities and to advance the public’s appreciation of the arts through related artistic workshops and panel discussions, while promoting the works of filmmakers and artists alike.

The programming: The films are chosen by a jury of professionals from a globally solicited call for submissions. Once chosen, the programming is created to generate discussion around specific world events and themes, provoking dialogue and acceptance of others and their concerns.

The COMMFFEST AWARDS: Best Film and Honourable Mention are the two categories for the MADA (Making a Difference) Awards. The MADA goes to filmmakers whose work champions’ social good and community enrichment. Whether young or old, seasoned or just beginning, cinematic storytellers are welcomed into COMMFFEST with opportunities to engage and inspire audiences.
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More about COMMFFEST

COMMFFEST attracts educators, artists, politicians, business leaders, socially conscious organizations and trendsetters.
Local Educational engagement:

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Young Cal B ("autistic person.") Performs at Commffest community film and music event September 16th St. Lawrence Centre For the Arts

Above filmmaker and participants of the Film "Love in the Time of Fentanyl"

Kristyn Wong MADA Award recipient(below)