What is the QFA?
What's an "Alternative" film...How did the QFA get started... What else?...QFA Directors... For ten years, the Quinte Film Alternative has created opportunities to see first-rate, first run films that wouldn't otherwise light up the movie screens in our area. We are open to all. The Quinte Film Alternative is a not for profit organization run by a handful of volunteers on behalf of all film lovers in the area. The Quinte Film Alternative is everyone who comes to see QFA films; whether once, twice or every time.
The Quinte Film Alternative is all the restaurants, shops and businesses that proudly display our Coming Attraction posters. It's the sponsors who offer discounts to QFA members and/or purchase the ads in our programs. It's the publicists who turn out press releases for the local media, and it's the media that cheerfully print or broadcast news of these great films to the public.
Most especially, The Quinte Film Alternative is that body of ardent supporters who have expressed their appreciation for, and commitment to, great cinema by purchasing a Season's Pass and enjoying membership benefits -- not the least of which is the opportunity to see a great movie, at a great price, every other Wednesday night.
Good question! In some cases it might well be an art film that holds up a mirror to society, or dares to shine its light into certain dark corners. In other cases it could be an effervescent comedy from Persia, Italy, Brazil, France, Czech Republic or Canada; a bittersweet tragedy from the American heartland; a gangster movie from the Republic of China, such as Shanghai Triad, that lifts the veil from the hearts of those struggling against evil to reveal that, no matter how distant the time or the land, how foreign the language, the beat, the hope, the pain and the joy in their hearts matches that of our own.
In all cases, "alternative" simply refers to that high quality cinema -- award-winning Canadian, American or International -- that normally wouldn't make it to one of the few local screens. The economic pressure on normal theatrical movie exhibition is such that their offerings tend all too consistently to offer the same safe and predictable, lowest-common-denominator Hollywood factory product: big budgets, big stars and big hype.
Make a point of coming with us for a dip into that river of outstanding movies that usually flows past smaller centres like ours. Discover what they're discovering in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, New York, San Francisco, Boston, London, Paris, Edinborough, Cannes, Berlin, Madrid, Tokyo, Amsterdam and other great world cities.
The Quinte Film Alternative was formed in the fall of 1995 by a group of local film enthusiasts with the assistance of The Quinte Arts Council, taking up an offer of support by the Southern Film Circuit (now The Film Circuit), a Division of The Toronto International Film Festival Group. When we started, we believed that an audience did exist in our own community for films like this. Happily, the response over the past decade has borne this out.
Our premiere film - Blue in the Face (USA) - sold out totally, as have many others since then. People from all walks of life, all ages, and all ethnic backgrounds, count among our regular filmgoers. There is an audience here thirsting for award-winning international and Canadian movies. Thank you Quinte!
And thank you too, in all sincerity, to the mainstream theatres, movies and audiences, for without them there would be no film industry, no distributors, no theatres and no audiences!
The QFA is a not for profit, volunteer-run organization. Our programming committee carefully selects from the best films currently available, and is always eager to hear your feedback and suggestions.
Everyone is welcome. Season's Passes with guaranteed seating are available for committed regulars and general admission tickets are sold at the door.
For more information, or to invest in a Season's Pass, contact us over the web or phone the QFA Infoline -- (613) 391-4310.
Art Mackay
Bryan Bondy
David Bourgeois
Lynn Braun
Maury Flunder
Penny Hendricks
Mike Macleod
Evelyn Neumann
Craig Shonk
Lois Thompson
Ann Wiggins
Any of us would also be happy to answer your questions.
We welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions.
Special Thanks
Office Depot
Xynapse - Creative Interactive E-business
Past executive members, whom we miss dearly, but will ever remember for their contribution in helping us get started, include:
Vida Baltutis
Robin Baranyai
Brenda Bartlett-Flunder
Andrea Breau
Jason Burkitt
Bryan Dawkins
Alnis Dickson
Ken Dickson, Past Chair
Anne Floegel
Gary Gayda
Michael Harris
Robert Knowlton
Richard Lummiss, Past Chair
Janet Lunn
David Maltby, Past Chair
Carol Martin
Liz Mayer
Alia Miller
Tom Murray
Greg Owens
Irene Poole
Anne Rector
Janet Rivers
Phil Roche
Greg Smith
David Thackray
Denise Wakeman
Chris Wilson
See you at the movies!