TIFF Film Circuit Saint John Volunteer Lanyard (Credit: Mary Buffett)
In the age of streaming and blockbuster movies, arthouse cinema is fighting tooth and nail to reach the big screen TIFF Film Circuit Saint John is doing its part, as a member of TIFF Film Circuit, the Outreach Program of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), to bring world-class international and Canadian cinema to wider audiences.
“We bring in a variety of award-winning, high-quality films that typically don’t show in Saint John,” states TIFF Film Circuit Saint John co-chair Mary Buffett.
“It’s a matter of loving film and just not getting to get those choices here.”
The program is sponsored by local Saint John businesses, Crosby’s and Commercial Properties.
“Crosby’s has been with us from the beginning. Jim and Joy Crosby are big film fans,” shares TIFF Film Circuit’s other chair, Pauline Cronin. “They actively encouraged me to start up a film group, which spurred me to fly to Toronto to meet with the management of TIFF Film Circuit and explore what was involved in joining their Outreach program.”
“Crosby’s support has been more than financial; we feel they’re with us in spirit. Joy is a member of our board and now has taken on the role of Volunteer Coordinator,” elaborated Cronin.
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- Mary Buffett and Pauline Cronin, co-chairs of TIFF Film Circuit Saint John (Source: Mary Buffett)
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- TIFF Film Circuit Volunteers (Source: Mary Buffett)
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- Watermark directors attending TIFF SJ (Source: Mary Buffett)
TIFF introduced Buffett and Cronin electronically and after an email exchange they agreed to meet. Buffett had volunteered with a predecessor film group, doing print traffic, box office and ushering and, attending TIFF on behalf of the group on two occasions. Upon meeting, the two women hit it off and the rest was film history, with both having plenty of friends eager to volunteer once they established their local TIFF Film Circuit.
The organization launches its ninth season this month, having begun in 2012, and having shown a vast selection of films, from Loving Vincent to Free Solo.
“We have actually picked the Best Foreign Language Film winner seven seasons in a row, before we knew it was the winner,” revealed Buffett.
She added that the group is looking to build subscriptions by expanding its audience.
“We have a core group that subscribe, plus each season we see a diverse group of attendees,” shared Buffett. “The numbers have flattened a little bit recently but we still have sellouts and, we can count on at least 150-160 seats per screening.”
TIFF Film Circuit Saint John has hosted some memorable events in the past. Filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier and renowned photographer, Edward Burtynsky did a Q&A for their documentary Watermark in 2013 as did New Brunswick producer Tony Whalen for Atlantic-produced rom-com, All the Wrong Reasons.
“Last year, we showed Rumble: Indians Who Rock the World and invited the up-and-coming indigenous artist Quinn Bonnell and the Heavy Steppers to perform,” recalled Buffett. “It was wonderful to promote Maritime artists and they, in turn, promoted the film and sold their music.”
Quinn Bonnell and the Heavy Steppers performing (Source: Mary Buffett)
“We screen the types of films that people normally wouldn’t have access to or experience,” said Buffet when asked about the role of the program. “Film is not only entertainment. It’s great art.”
When asked why they do what they do, Buffett and Cronin both agree; “We do this for the love of film.”
For more information about TIFF Film Circuit Saint John, you can check out their website and Facebook page.
