Workman Arts, celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents the 20th annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival (RWM). The festival runs from November 9 – 17. The nine-day festival showcases over 20 programs of feature and short films, as well as industry and artist talks, multi-media installations, live performances and visual arts exhibitions. Programs include a post-screening panel discussion with filmmakers, people living with the experience of the issue explored on film, a health care professional, and a special interest person.
Matthew Hogue, Program Manager at Rendezvous with Madness, took a few minutes to talk about choosing programs and films for RWM, its role as a community festival, some highlights of the festival, and the future of RWM.
HM: Could you talk a bit about your role as Program Manager and the selection of films for the festival?
Matthew: Along with a team of programmers, we work together with filmmakers, artists, mental health professionals, community members, and educators in viewing submitted films. This year, we had over 200 submissions. Over the months of April to September submissions are open and during this time, this group of people helps organize us as to which films would be great to have at RWM. We assess submitted films on high standards, such as, how they fit with RWM’s mandate, are they engaging & powerful, and how they portray mental health issues. The selection process is very exciting.
HM: How does RWM fit in with Toronto as a film festival and its community?
Matthew: First of all, RWM is the first and largest festival of its kind. It targets a niche community but it also brings forth mental health issues to a wider audience. The context of mental health issues is changing and it’s coming more into the mainstream. This festival has an important role in that it ensures the work is worthwhile artistically, emotionally, and also realistically depicting the issues at hand.
HM: Any highlights from the festival or festival favourites that you’d recommend for us?
Matthew: The Doc Symposium is an incredible program, which includes films and panel discussions about the future and challenges of documenting mental health issues. This is the first year we offer a symposium, but I think it’s timely given that mental health issues are moving into the mainstream, as I mentioned earlier. In terms of films, the funniest film I’ve seen submitted has to be King Curling (Dir. Ole Endresen, The Netherlands). It is entertaining and it uses every stereotype and cliché about mental health there is. But it’s also absurdist and hilarious. It is certainly fun to watch.
HM: How do you see RWM evolving?
Matthew: The festival is certainly evolving. We incorporate more film, video and other media each year. The idea that mental health issues are more widely discussed also helps. The festival will definitely continue to move forward in supporting the industry, and will continue to be a place where professionals can connect with community members (who may have experienced mental health issues) to help them tell their stories, and support each other’s work.
Great way to summarize Rendezvous With Madness and its role as a film festival but also as a community festival. The full festival line up can be found here. RWM also has full Media & Visual Arts Program, information can be found here. For ticketing and location information, visit rendezvouswithmadness.com.
