The Powell River Film Festival is celebrating fifteen years of bringing great films and film culture to the Sunshine Coast. Along with this special anniversary comes special pricing – reduced this year.





In response to audience feedback in our 2015 survey, the obligatory festival membership has been reduced from $5 to $2, the Saturday night party has gone from $18 to $15, and the opening night has dropped to $12.

All in all a great deal, and fabulous films to boot. The party begins at 7pm with the local six piece jazz band PST entertaining. Guest filmmakers including Charles Wilkinson, Jeremy Williams, Claudia Medina, Peg Campbell, George Johnson, and Tony Papa will be in attendance on Saturday night – always a special festival treat.

The opening reception on Wednesday, February 17th features Second Mother, a brilliant Brazilian film that explores class differences, motherhood, infatuation and privilege in a mixture of comedy and drama.

As per usual the local inclusive festival shows films for both elementary and high schools as well as local film buffs, and presents a camp and contest for youth aged 15-19. Information about film schedules, trailers, and synopses is

A highlight this year is the Australian documentary Tender, which will be followed by a panel discussion presented by the Hospice Society & Powell River Division of Family Practice. This is a thought provoking film about a community reasserting its right to look after their own, even after death. The film screens at 7 pm Thursday evening, February 18th (tickets $10/$12).

Saturday is documentary day, with a range of films focussing on First Nations, both here with the stunning feature, Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World, and in the New Zealand documentary, Ever the Land. Each of the features are screened with BC shorts by local filmmakers.

Sunday morning’s Fresh Perspectives screening is by donation, and highlights the films produced by our Adventures in Film Camp students and their mentors.

The 2016 Powell River Film Festival promises to be exciting, uplifting and inspiring. Festival passes and individual tickets are on sale at Breakwater Books and online at