The ReelWorld Film Festival opened its season with a Gala presentation at the Paramount with a of Vivica A. Fox's The Salon. A tale about a beauty shop owner who's desperately tries to keep her community together despite the bickering and arguing amongs its members.

Although, a bit heavy handed at times as well as numerous distracting errors in continuity, the film (originally an HBO presentation) was well recieved from the audience.

The after-party held right across the street at Metro was not the most conducive venue for the film schmoozing type. Looking like someone's basement, the music bounced off the walls making it very difficult to hear the person talking next to you. It was a mouth to ear exercise. However, friendly people and good conversation made the communication difficulties bareable.

This year seems to hold many diamonds in the rough including ...

Masters of the Pillow - a documentary about the first Asian American porn film. It will be followed by Yellowcaust: A Patriot Act, a 10 minute clip from the actual porn film Skin On Skin.
Friday, April 15 @ 7:30pm - Rainbow Cinemas

Best of the Wurst - a documentary by Grace Lee (director - Barrier Device and the upcoming Smells Like Butter starring Sandra Oh) as she debates whether or not she should leave LA for the streets of Berlin while talking to the locals at currywurst stands.
Thursday, April 14 @ 12pm - Rainbow Cinemas

Pink Ludoos - an Indo-Canadian tale about a 19 year old girl getting pregnant out of wedlock with her boyfriend and not the man she has been arranged to marry.
Thursday, April 14 @ 8pm - Rainbow Cinemas
Friday, April 15 @ 3:30pm - Rainbow Cinemas

Devotion - the story of a bi-racial girl's struggle with her identity when her white mother passes away.
Thursday, April 14 @ 9pm

Chinese Restaurant: Three Continents - travel around the world in this installment of the series as Cheuk Kwan makes pit stops in Norway, Canada and Madagacar sampling the Chinese cuisine in these countries. - I'm told this series sells out so come early!
Thursday, April 14 @ 5pm - Rainbow Cinemas

Closing the Festivities is Morning Raga, a movie from Bollywood playing at the Paramount on Sunday.

Of course there are many more shorts, music videos and documentary features. Please check out their website at www.reelworld.ca for more listings and industry seminars.

I'll be back to share some more.