The “Cinematic Cities” series at Christie Pits Film Festival will premiere with a high camp celebration of life and love on the closing night of Pride Toronto! 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary year, Queer auteur John Waters’ cult classic HAIRSPRAY tackles race relations and body positivity in 1960s Baltimore. HAIRSPRAY centres on “pleasantly plump” Tracy Turnblad who, despite being bullied, is determined to win a spot on the local dance TV show. Tracy uses her growing popularity in conservative Baltimore as a platform to champion integration diversity, making the film feel years ahead of its time. 

HAIRSPRAY will screen with documentary short film TAKE A WALK ON THE WILDSIDE, a charming profile of one of Toronto's oldest cross-dressing shops and its compassionate owner, Paddy. With both films featuring colourful, retro couture, CPFF’s opening night is set to be the most outrageously fashionable event of the summer film season. Welcome back to the 60s!

Films @ Sundown (9:20pm)
Eats & Treats @ 6pm by Feasto Dumpling Food Truck & popcorn at the festival canteen

Free / PWYC (suggested donation $10), not a ticketed event
BYOBlanket 
Accessible venue 
Feature films are screened with captioning
More info at ChristiePitsff.com

HAIRSPRAY (John Waters, 1988)
With short film 
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILDSIDE (Lisa Rideout, 2016)

CPFF thanks Lead Sponsor Waterfront Toronto
Co-presented by Pride Toronto, Inside Out LGBT Film Festival & Open Roof Festival