The First Weekend Club, a decade-old local non-profit dedicated to promoting Canadian independent films, is teaming up with the Vancouver International Film Festival Society (VIFF) to host premieres at the Van-city Theatre on Seymour Street. The partnership will make its own debut Jan. 4 with the nationwide launch of the French Canadian comedy-thriller Liverpool featuring a post-show Q&A with writer/director Manon Briand. "The challenge for any independent filmmaker is getting the word out to the audience without being drowned out by the Hollywood machine," said VIFF program coordinator Tom Charity in a press release announcing the new partnership. Focusing specifically on the all-important opening night, the plan is to include pre-show wine receptions, live music and talk back sessions with the featured films' directors and/or stars. The Liverpool reception begins at 7: 15 p.m. and the film starts at 8: 20 p.m. Visit viff.org for more information.
