Don McKellar's The Grand Seduction chosen as Calgary International Film Festival's Opening Gala Film

CALGARY, Aug. 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) announced today that The Grand Seduction, directed by Don McKellar, will open the 2013 festival. CIFF is proud to once again partner with Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund (CMF), Alberta Film, the Government of Alberta and eOne to bring this much-anticipated film to Calgary audiences.

"The Grand Seduction is a laugh-out-loud comedy, and we're overjoyed to present the Western Canadian premiere of this major release," said Steve Schroeder, Executive Director of the Calgary International Film Festival. "The film is a who's who of talent from across Canada, from director Don McKellar and the incredible cast, to co-writer Michael Dowse, who is well known in Calgary and abroad for FUBAR and others. Last year's Opening Gala was the largest and most talked about in the festival's history, and we look forward to an even bigger night this year."

In The Grand Seduction, we follow along as a small Newfoundland fishing town looks for a new lease on life. Plans for a lucrative factory contract in tiny Tickle Head are contingent on the town's ability to secure a resident doctor—and none have jumped on board. Things are looking grim, until Murray French (Brendan Gleeson) concocts an elaborate scheme and enlists his neighbours to charm a big-city doctor (Taylor Kitsch) to stay behind.

McKellar returns to the director's chair for The Grand Seduction, teaming up with writer Michael Dowse (FUBAR, Goon) and producers Roger Frappier and Barbara Doran, for a remake of Ken Scott's 2001 film La Grande séduction (Seducing Doctor Lewis). Working with a stellar cast that includes Irish heavyweight Gleeson and Canadian film legend Gordon Pinsent, McKellar also snagged blockbuster action star Kitsch and iconic comedian Mary Walsh for this Canadian comedic gem.

"Since 1999, the Calgary International Film Festival has delighted and entertained audiences in the Calgary region and provided an opportunity to celebrate diverse and unique stories from Canada and around the world," said the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "The Grand Seduction features some of Canada's brightest talent and showcases beautiful landscapes in Newfoundland and Labrador. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to commend the Calgary International Film Festival and its partners for promoting Canadian cinema and enriching the cultural life of Alberta."

"We're so very proud to support the Calgary International Film Festival and this outstanding opening night gala," said Heather Klimchuk, Alberta Culture Minister. "This evening is a perfect opportunity to showcase Alberta's home-grown talent and content, our award-winning crews and our vibrant screen-based production industry that make Alberta such a great place to make films."

"Thanks to the Calgary International Film Festival's passion for promoting and encouraging Canadian talent, the visibility of our filmmakers is being raised around the city, throughout the province and across the country," said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada's Executive Director. "Innovative public-private partnerships, with industry players like CIFF, result in more Canadians having the opportunity to experience great homegrown films like Don McKellar's The Grand Seduction."

"The Canada Media Fund is pleased to be joining other industry representatives, business leaders, government officials and all Albertans in celebrating Canadian talent and productions at CIFF's opening night festivities," said Valerie Creighton, CMF President and CEO.  "The Grand Seduction is an excellent example of Canadian talent from all parts of the country working together to bring a world-class production to life that can be enjoyed by both Canadians and international audiences alike."

CIFF's Opening Gala screening of The Grand Seduction takes place on Thursday, September 19, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. The 11-day festival continues through to September 29, showing nearly 200 multi-genre films.

Tickets for the September 19^th Opening Gala are $75.00 each and go on sale at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 15^th. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT: www.calgaryfilm.com.

For more information on the Calgary International Film Festival, please visit: https://www.calgaryfilm.com/.

Follow CIFF on Twitter @calgaryfilm, and follow along using #CIFF2013 hashtag.

SOURCE: Telefilm Canada

and to request interviews, contact:

Marnie Wilson, Calgary International Film Festival
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John Tuckwell, Alberta Culture
T: 780-427-2395
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Douglas Chow, Telefilm Canada
t: 514-283-0838 ext. 2225
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Pierre Campeau, Canada Media Fund
t: 416-214-4402
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Codie Taylor, Bluesky Strategy Group
t: 613-241-3512 ext. 228, c: 613-668-4807
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