Cue the opening credits, the Gimli Film Festival is about to make a reel impression.

The largest film festival in Manitoba begins Wednesday to kick off its 19th year with three opening night screenings.

On deck for the first night is the Canadian premiere of the Sundance award-winning doc “Jawline,” with director Liza Mandelup in attendance.

The festival officially opens at 3 p.m. with one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the year, “For Sama,” described as an “intimate and moving portrait of a mother’s experience of war in Syria.”

The Canadian-made comedic-drama, “When the Storm Fades,” will roll next at 6 p.m.

Festival organizers are already reporting a 38 percent increase in advance individual ticket sales, along with a spike in GFF pass sales at the box office.

An opening night reception is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday (Johnson Hall), followed by a screening of Amy Heckerling’s classic “Clueless” on Gimli Beach. This is the first of five “Summer School” themed RBC Sunset Screenings at GFF 2019, which also includes “Mean Girls” (Friday), “School of Rock” (Saturday) and the audience choice selection “The Breakfast Club” (Sunday).

Tickets

• Super Pass – $110
  Access to all films plus special events.
• Film Pass – $80
  Access to films only.
  *Only 20 Film Passes left.
• Film Community Pass – $90
  To purchase Community Film Pass, you must be a practising filmmaker and you must show your membership to a local film organization
• Individual Film Tickets – $10

The Gimli Film Festival runs July 24-28. For a complete lineup and to purchase tickets, visit GimliFilm.com.

ChrisD.ca is once again proud to be a media sponsor of this year’s festival.