About

The Salt Spring Film Festival Society is a non-profit charitable society incorporated in 2010, whose mission is to educate, inspire and activate our community through a festival of independent documentary film from Canada and around the world. We present films that explore music, art and culture, engage humanitarian and social justice concerns and deal with environmental and international issues. Filmmakers are invited to the festival to present their films and lead lively discussions.

Community Support remains the heart of the festival: volunteers, patrons and community sponsors make the festival possible. We are a unique film festival: admission is, and always has been, by donation. This ensures that everyone is welcome and no one is turned away.

Delicious Organic Local Food to satisfy the appetites of film lovers is prepared by Chef Bruce Wood and by Mark Kilner and Milly Sinclair with the help of their GISS culinary students.

Other Events As well, the society presents other film nights, events and workshops throughout the year to encourage local filmmakers and to cultivate the appreciation of documentary film on Salt Spring.

The Festival Roots reach back to 1996 as a social justice film festival. There have been many islanders who have devoted their time and energy to continuing and expanding the festival throughout the years. Today, the festival reaches a broader community audience with engaging and entertaining documentaries.

During the Festival Weekend the Salt Spring Film Festival Society hosts a Social Justice Bazaar. Many local organizations gather to educate the audience of their activities in the social fabric of Salt Spring Island.

Board members

Jim Meadows / Chair

Patricia Lockie / Vice Chair

Katharine Atkins / Treasurer

Diane Copeland Thomas / Secretary

Judy McPhee / Director

Cliff Knox / Director

Melissa Searcy / Director

Gaianna Mahuna (Elisa Meakin) / Director

Therin Gower / Director

Staff

James Cowan / Festival Co-ordinator

Jane Aitken / Festival Administrator

Committee leaders

Patricia Lockie / Communications

Diane Copeland Thomas / Comms., Decor & Graphics

Gaianna Mahuna / Communications, Membership

Diana Morris Knox / Decor & Graphics

Cliff Knox / Decor & Graphics, Logistics

Melissa Searcy / Food

Carol Wagner / Hospitality

Katharine Atkins / Logistics

Jim Meadows / Logistics

Judy McPhee / Logistics, Technical

George Ehring / Membership

Karen Laidlaw / Volunteers

Alastair Aitken / Website