The second annual Kamloops Black Film Festival was presented by the Valid Dreams Foundation and the Kamloops AfroFilms Society. From Feb 1 – 2, 2025, the festival featured films from the Black community that redefine narratives around Black identity and culture, offering powerful insights into diverse Black experiences.

FILMS & EVENTS

A Wrinkle in Time (2018) – Feb 1st @ 2:00 pm FAMILY FLICK: Kids 12 and under FREE
Pre-Show. Photos and fashion show.
Sat, Feb 1 @ 1:00 PM Doors Open! Capture the Moment! Photos in the foyer followed by a fabulous fashion show on the theatre stage.

The Color Purple (2023) – Sat, Feb 1 @ 6:00 PM
Pre-Show. Cuda Takes the Stage.
Sat, Feb 1 @ 5:00 PM. Enjoy a captivating musical performance by Cuda, followed by heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors.

Love & Basketball (2000) – Sun, Feb 2 @ 2:00 PM
Pre-Show. Dance Sensation
Sun, Feb 2 @ 1:00 PM. Get ready to be entertained by a dynamic dance performance, followed by a brief introduction to the next film.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – Sun, Feb 2 @ 6:00 PM
Pre-Show. Heavenly Harmonies
Sun, Feb 2 @ 5:00 PM. Enjoy a captivating church choir performance, followed by heartfelt thank yous to our sponsors and a closing address.

PARTNER EVENT: BLACK HISTORY MONTH GALA – FEB 15th at 5 PM – 11 PM
Hosted by Valid Dreams Foundation at the Thompson Rivers University Grand Hall

FILMS & EVENTS

Hidden Figures – Feb 15th @ 6:30 pm
Pre-Show: Science Experiments with Big Little Science Centre
Experience an interactive evening as the Big Little Science Centre performs exciting experiments on stage with audience participation. Doors open at 5:45 pm, and the pre-show event, featuring captivating experiments, runs from 6 pm to 6:20 pm. The movie starts at 6:30 pm.

Cool Runnings – Feb 16th @ 10:30 am
Catch two showings of Cool Runnings: one for the general public at 10:30 am and an exclusive school screening for the school district at 11 am on the same day. Be a part of this double-feature event!

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Feb 16th @ 6:30 pm

Sarafina! – Feb 17th @ 11:00 am
Pre-Show Delight: Bethel Chapel Choir Concert
Get ready for a musical treat! The Bethel Chapel Choir will enchant you with a few songs before the movie begins. The event kicks off at 10:45 am, followed by the movie starting at 11:00 am.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse – Feb 17th @ 2:00 pm – FREE FAMILY FLICK
Calling all Spider-Man fans! We invite kids and enthusiasts of all ages to join us at the movie dressed as their favorite web-slinger. Don’t miss out – those in Spider-Man costumes will receive complimentary candy! It’s a web-tastic experience for everyone!

King Richard – Feb 17th @ 5:30 pm

Closing Party – Feb 17th Doors open @ 8 pm
Join us for an evening of laughter and entertainment starting right after King Richard, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Secure your tickets for just $15!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at our closing night event! We are thrilled to showcase the talents of Vancouver-based comedian and fashion designer, Mufaro Mbudzi, originally from Zimbabwe. As you enjoy Mufaro’s performance, indulge in the rich flavors of West African snacks, a special treat included with your ticket purchase and expertly crafted by caterer Mercy Odiase.

Mufaro has graced stages at prestigious events such as the Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just for Laughs Vancouver, and the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. In addition to his stand-up prowess, Mufaro has hosted music concerts and is an independent event producer, curating sold-out comedy shows in Vancouver. He’s also making waves in the fashion scene with his clothing brand, Scheduled Meditation, showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week and Toronto’s Fashion Art Toronto.
But that’s not all! Before Mufaro takes the stage, enjoy a performance by local Kamloops singer/rapper, Kuda. It’s an evening filled with diverse talent and non-stop entertainment.
Mufaro Personal Instagram: mufarombu | Mufaro Business Instagram: scheduledmeditation

PROGRAM
POSTER

Thu May 30 & Fri May 31, 2024. CinéLoops French Film Festival offered 2 films to the public and 3 to schools.

Films:

Soirée d’ouverture / Opening Night
Testament – 30 mai à 18h30 / May 30 @ 6:30 pm

Mon chat et moi, la grande aventure de Rroû / A Cat’s Life (2023)
le Vendredi 31 MAI, 9h30 / Friday, May 31 at 9:30 AM
De la 2e à la 7e année / Grades 2-7

Kina et Yuk / Kina & Yuk (2023)
le Vendredi 31 MAI, 10h00 / Friday, May 31 at 10:00 AM
De la 2e à la 7e année / Grades 2-7

Mon Cirque à Moi / My Very Own Circus (2020)
le Vendredi 31 MAI 12h30 / Friday, May 31 at 12:00 PM
De la 7e à la 12e année / Grades 7-12

Ru – 31 mai à 18h30 / May 31 @ 6:30 pm

Our first CinéLoops French Film Festival, in partnership with the Kamloops Francophone Association was a hit! We had nearly 1,000 attendees over the three days, at the six films (7 screenings).

Notre premier Festival du film français CinéLoops, en collaboration avec l’Association francophone de Kamloops a été un succès ! Nous avons eu près de 1000 spectateurs sur les trois jours, sur les six films (7 projections).

Guests:

Tu Te Souviendras de Moi/You Will Remember Me
Rémy Girard – Actor

Musique/Music
Jamie Shinkewski

Cusine/Food
Jyelle from/de Good For You Crêpes

FrancoFunny
Étudiants de l’école secondaire francophone/Students from the Franophone Secondary School

Films:

Tu Te Souviendras de Moi/You Will Remember Me
Katak le brave béluga/Katak the Brave Beluga
Félix et le trésor de Morgäa/Felix and the Hidden Treasure
Close
Astérix & Obélix: L’Empire du Milieu/Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom
Le secret d’un moine/A Monk’s Secret – court métrage/short film
Une Belle Course/Driving Madeline

Programme/Program

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The Kamloops Film Society, in partnership with Kamloops Pride, is excited to announce the first Kamloops Queer Film Festival! This June, we’re celebrating the start of Pride Season with a series of films by and about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  Our goal for the first KQFF is to educate about and promote queer cinema. 

1st Kamloops Queer Film Festival Launch Party!

Join us to celebrate the start of Pride Season at the 1st Kamloops Queer Film Festival Launch Party! (19+). Featuring a red carpet, Drag Show, and free snacks! The Launch Party Drag Show features performers Fuchsia Bush, Other Nature, Peter Packer, and Wanda Lust, presented by Whalemade Productions.

Presented in partnership with Tkemlúps te Secwépemche, the Kamloops Film Society welcomed the 3rd Annual Stseptékwles re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival, September 27-29, 2024. The IFF is a celebration of Indigenous filmmakers and artists, thoughtfully curated by our dedicated IFF Committee. We presented a lineup that included 6 feature films, 5 short films, an art exhibit, 2-day artisan market, and a vibrant drag show & closing party.

Guests:

Welcome
Tkwenem7íple7 Joshua Gottfriedson

Opening Prayer
Joanne Brown
TRU Hand-Drumming Club

Indigenous Panel
Charlene Belleau, Ryan Deneault, Sandy Ward, Sienna Belanger-Lee, Shay Paul, Ryland Friday, Heather MacLeod, Allan Hopkins (Virtual)

Artist Talk
Moderated by Heather MacLeod

Indigenous Artist Networking Social
Rylan Deneault -CEO of Healing Between Worlds

Closing Party
Ella Lamoureux, Belle Ini, and Khalora Form 

Indigenous Committee:

Ashley Fontaine, Bobbi Sasaskamoose, Heather MacLeod, Laura Michel, Jason Blair, Ryan Deneault, Shay Paul, Olivia Lane.

Films:

Sugarcane
Whale Rider
Fancy Dance
Smoke Signals
Red Fever
Indian Road Trip

Short Films

As the Smoke Rises. Writer: Jennifer Ille
Slides on the Mountain. Producer: Sandy Ward, Director: Seth Gillis
Snkłcaʔsqáxaʔ Tkłmílxʷ (Horse Woman). Director: Mariel Belanger
Terror / Forming. Writer/Director: Rylan Friday
Keepers of the Land. Executive Producer/Director: Douglas Neasloss

Photo Album for IFF

The Stseptékwles re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival, co-presented by The KFS and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was a big success. Took Place October 12th, hundreds of audience members took part in 6 screenings, the special events, and the delicious popcorn! We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2024 Stseptékwles re Sk’elép Indigenous Film Festival.

Guests:

Opening Prayer
Joanne Brown
TRU Hand-Drumming Club

Storytelling
Kenneth Thomas

Indigenous Artist Networking Social
Rylan Deneault -CEO of Healing Between Worlds

Indigenous Artists Panel
Amanda Wandler
Isaiah Harris
Rhiannon Evans
Ethan Evans
Summer Testawich
Tyler Peters

Closing Party
Conway Kootenay 

Films:

Bones of Crows
Rhymes for Young Ghouls
Sgaaway K’uuna – Edge of the Knife
Stellar
Guitar Lessons

Short Films
Brothers and Sisters, Directed by Kent Monkman
Between Two Worlds, Directed by Kevin Papatie
Short Stoires – His Guidance (Okiskinotahewewin), Directed Duane Linklater

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The inaugural Stseptékwles re Sk’elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival, co-presented by The KFS and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was a big success. Taking place September 1-3, hundreds of audience members took part in 9 screenings, the special events, and the delicious popcorn! We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2023 Stseptékwles re Sk’elép Indigenous Film Festival.

Guests:

Opening Prayer
Ivy Chelsea
Sage Hills Singers

DƏNE YI’INJETL | The Scattering of Man
Luke Gleeson – Director

Music
Jeremy Kneeshaw – Songwriter/Muscian

Storytellers
Kenthen Thomas
Paul Michel

Indigenous Artists Panel
Moderator: Foster
Panelists:
Joshua Gottfriedson
Laura Michel
Tyler Peters

Closing Party
Sasha Mark
Tin Lorica 
Aaron Read 

Films:

DƏNE YI’INJETL | The Scattering of Man
Slash/Back
Beans
Blood Quantum
Wildhood
Returning Home
Portraits From A Fire
Scarborough
Run Woman Run

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