Equus Film Festival Makes Its Debut in Headwaters Canada

The EQUUS Film Festival Headwaters Tour Stop, held at the Town Hall Opera House in Canada, pranced into Orangeville as the beginning of a new vision for this town. With just months to prepare, the Headwaters Team pulled together horse lovers and film enthusiasts alike to come watch a host of horse films.

This recipe to success began with a call from Karen O’Brodovich to EFF founder Lisa Diersen asking if they could showcase a tour stop in their quaint town. When Diersen agreed that Canada was a perfect place to envision horse films, O’Brodovich went to the local tourism board to pitch the idea.

With everyone on board, Team Headwaters went to work figuring out the ingredients for their very first tour stop and outlined a weekend of fun. That vision began on July 20^th with a red carpet VIP Reception, sponsored by Orangeville Chrysler with beverages provided by Adamo Estate Winery and Pommies Cider Co. It was here that the headwaters equine community, horse and film enthusiasts, local politicians, accomplished riders, sponsors, filmmakers and celebrities came to support the opening night.

The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Dufferin-Caledon MPP, came out to the Festival and said, “It’s wonderful the inaugural Festival is starting here, right here in Headwaters because we have such a strong equine community.”

It was clear that everyone was really looking forward to the evening when the guests arrived at 6:00 PM for an evening scheduled to start at 6:30 PM.

The focal point of the entire weekend was the Town Hall Opera House, complete with a 273-seat theatre, where 19 films were being shown from around the world, including USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Tibet, Bulgaria and the UK. The VIP Reception was held in the first-floor atrium, with the feature film, All the Queens Horses, taking place in the second floor theater. In attendance were some of the filmmakers and talent who were featured in the films. They took turns on the Running Fox Fine English Tack & Apparel Main Stage to speak about their movies.

The Free Family Films were shown on Saturday morning from 10 AM until 12 noon and were sponsored by Victoria Phillips and Janna Imrie, Headwaters Country, Royal Lepage RCR Realty. Saturday morning was when the kids galloped into town to see Wendy, a film about a young girl who, after a riding accident, learned to renew her love for horses thanks to a wounded horse named Dixie. Sophia Germaine, an enthusiastic 10-year-old girl from London, Ontario said, “The connection between Wendy and Dixie was astounding, one-of-kind, mind-blowing!”

To continue on that youthful theme, the Headwaters Tourism Horse took a gander around town to say hi to those spending time enjoying the Orangeville Farmer’s Market with their tiny tots. Those happy young faces were perfect for some special picture taking moments, capturing their enthusiasm.

RAM Rodeo Tour 2018 sponsored the Saturday afternoon and evening films, with Sunday films sponsored by Caledon Equestrian Park. On Saturday evening, filmmakers Bruce Anderson, Julianne Neal and James O’Connor for The Edge, and Stefan Morel for Herd did a Q&A with EQUUS Film Festival Co-Organizer Diana De Rosa, giving the audience a chance to listen to the behind-the-scenes of making these films.

Afterwards, the filmmakers were surrounded by some of the eager audience who wanted to speak to the them one-on-one. After a dinner break, the evening continued with four more feature films, including The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague, Talking to the Air, The Equestrian and All the Wild Horses.

Who hasn’t heard of the swim of the Chincoteague Ponies. The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague gave a bird’s eye view of just what happens during that week-long event. It ended up that this was one of O’Brodovich’s favorite movies. “I was so impressed at the following of these ponies, and they have such a fan club!”

Talking to the Air focuses on the precarious future of the indigenous horses in Nepal. The Equestrian is the fictional story about Freddie Forester, a gifted rider who works through the challenges that life brings by comparing them to his talented stallion. All the Wild Horses follows five international riders from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Ireland and the UK as they compete in the Mongol Derby horse race in Mongolia.

So many great films that we can’t cover them all but one other special one was When the Dust Settles, a film that shows how the struggles of Wild Horses mirror those of disadvantaged girls, resulting in an earned trust proving their worthiness. “I found it emotional actually,” said Corey Reaves. “I’m thrilled to be here.”

Sunday saw more crowds of people enjoying the movies and taking time to pose for pictures and be interviewed.

Helen Sare who came from Mississauga, Ontario said, “I’ve seen the EQUUS Film Festival described on Facebook, and I’ve always been hoping to see the films … I was so excited to see it coming to Headwaters!”

Among the Sunday featured films were Spotlight Rescue Series, Riding My Way Back, The Story of Totilas and The Caravan.

The Story of Totilas focuses on the magnificent horse ridden by Edward Gal that won the hearts of millions all over the world. The Caravan is about carriage drivers and horse riders, ages 11 to 80, who went on a five month pilgrimage traveling 2500 miles from California to Florida.

Riding My Way Back is a short documentary that chronicles one soldier’s journey back from the brink of suicide. The Spotlight Rescue Series shines a light on the issues facing our horses in need of rescue.

An event of this magnitude cannot happen without the support of the sponsors. So, a special thank you goes to the following: Presenting sponsor Lothlorien (in memory of Sue Grange), Main Stage Sponsor Running Fox, VIP Reception Sponsor Orangeville Chrysler, Saturday Film Sponsor Ram Rode Tour 2018, Family Film Sponsor Victoria Phillips & Janna Imrie, Royal LePage RCR Realty, Sunday Film Sponsor Caledon Equestrian Park, and Beverage Sponsor Adamo. National Media Sponsors were Heelsdown Media and Horse Canada. Event Sponsors were AOS, Manning Equine Vet Services, Ontario Equestrian, The Town of Orangeville, Pommies Cider Co. and the Town of Erin. And a very special thank you to Headwaters Tourism.

In her closing remarks, De Rosa commented, “Sitting outside the theater you could hear the laughter, applause and emotions of the audience. It was heartwarming to know that hundreds of people were watching films made by devoted filmmakers who truly appreciate knowing that people are out there enjoying their films.”

O’Brodovich added, “I loved how involved the audiences got in the films. It’s not really typical when you go to a traditional movie theater that the audience is so engaged, laughing together and clapping at the end of every film! There was just so much emotion. It was wonderful to be a part of it.”

Diersen was impressed with what a great job everyone did for their very first tour stop noting, “The EQUUS Film Festival was thrilled with the response from the horse loving community in Headwaters. We can’t wait to return to Canada for the 2019 EFF Tour Stop. We are looking forward to helping grow this festival to include more artists and authors. I’m so grateful for the support of the sponsors, as well as the filmmakers and EQUUS family, who joined us for this kick-off event.”

For more information about the EQUUS Film Festival Headwaters Tour Stop, go to www.equusfilmfest.ca.

ABOUT EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL

Founded and directed by avid equestrian enthusiast Lisa Diersen in 2013, and co-organized by acclaimed equestrian photo journalist Diana De Rosa, the EQUUS Film Festival takes place annually in New York City in November and makes over 12 Tour Stops throughout the year. Since its inception, hundreds of equestrian themed films have gained recognition, found international distribution and reached global audiences through the Festival. In 2017 the EQUUS Film Festival presented over 80 films and over 60 WINNIE Awards including Equestrian Art Film, Director, Documentary, Commercial, International, Music Video, People's Choice and Best of Festival.

ABOUT HEADWATERS

Headwaters Tourism is the recognized destination marketing organization for the Headwaters region of Ontario, providing tourism services on behalf of the regional tourism industry and on behalf of its municipal partners in Dufferin County and the Towns of Caledon, Mono, Shelburne & Erin.

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