A pass for all 12 films for individuals who are not members of the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

A pass for all 12 films for individuals who are members of the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

From director Andrew Ahn comes a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating cultural identity, queerness, and family expectations. Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend Chris and running out of time, Min makes a proposal: a green-card marriage with their friend Angela in exchange for her partner Lee’s expensive IVF. Elopement plans are upended, however, when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an extravagant Korean wedding banquet. Starring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung, The Wedding Banquet is a poignant and heartfelt reminder that being part of a family means learning to both accept and forgive.

From director Andrew Ahn comes a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating cultural identity, queerness, and family expectations. Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend Chris and running out of time, Min makes a proposal: a green-card marriage with their friend Angela in exchange for her partner Lee’s expensive IVF. Elopement plans are upended, however, when Min’s grandmother surprises them with an extravagant Korean wedding banquet. Starring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung, The Wedding Banquet is a poignant and heartfelt reminder that being part of a family means learning to both accept and forgive.

With The Life of Chuck, Mike Flanagan explores one of Stephen King’s most optimistic works. The world feels like it’s ending, and everybody’s saying goodbye to Chuck. Wherever Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes, he can’t get away from Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). His face shows up on billboards, window signs, and even TV commercials. What’s so special about this seemingly ordinary accountant? Fans of Flanagan’s skillful storytelling in The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep will easily see why he gravitated towards the unorthodox structure of this King novella that manages a rare feat: finding warmth in melancholy.

With The Life of Chuck, Mike Flanagan explores one of Stephen King’s most optimistic works. The world feels like it’s ending, and everybody’s saying goodbye to Chuck. Wherever Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes, he can’t get away from Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). His face shows up on billboards, window signs, and even TV commercials. What’s so special about this seemingly ordinary accountant? Fans of Flanagan’s skillful storytelling in The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep will easily see why he gravitated towards the unorthodox structure of this King novella that manages a rare feat: finding warmth in melancholy.

The Last Showgirl, a captivating tale from behind the lights of the Vegas Strip, stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a seasoned performer who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. Emotionally floundering, Shelley tries to reconnect with a daughter she hardly knows, which proves just as difficult as losing the only job she has ever had. Bolstered by her best friend Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), a brash cocktail waitress, Shelley must find her place in a world she shut the (stage) door on for years.

The Last Showgirl, a captivating tale from behind the lights of the Vegas Strip, stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a seasoned performer who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. Emotionally floundering, Shelley tries to reconnect with a daughter she hardly knows, which proves just as difficult as losing the only job she has ever had. Bolstered by her best friend Annette (Jamie Lee Curtis), a brash cocktail waitress, Shelley must find her place in a world she shut the (stage) door on for years.

A father’s desperate quest to reunite with his daughter becomes the source of rising tension in this sensitively rendered feature by Belgian filmmaker Guillaume Senez. Jay, a French man living in Tokyo, makes his living as a driver. As a result of Japan’s “clean break” approach to family law, a parent may be unable to even contact their child after a divorce. After nine years, Jay is on the verge of giving up on the possibility of ever seeing his daughter Lily again. But one morning, a new passenger in his car takes his story in another direction.

A father’s desperate quest to reunite with his daughter becomes the source of rising tension in this sensitively rendered feature by Belgian filmmaker Guillaume Senez. Jay, a French man living in Tokyo, makes his living as a driver. As a result of Japan’s “clean break” approach to family law, a parent may be unable to even contact their child after a divorce. After nine years, Jay is on the verge of giving up on the possibility of ever seeing his daughter Lily again. But one morning, a new passenger in his car takes his story in another direction.

This documentary film, set in New York in 1972, explores John and Yoko’s musical, personal, artistic, social, and political world against the backdrop of a turbulent era in American history. At the core of the film is the One to One charity concert for special needs children, John Lennon’s only full-length concert between the final ticketed Beatles concert in 1966 and his death. The film includes a wealth of previously unseen Lennon archives, including personal phone calls, home movies filmed by John and Yoko, and restored and remastered footage from the One to One concert with remixed audio overseen by Sean Ono Lennon.

This documentary film, set in New York in 1972, explores John and Yoko’s musical, personal, artistic, social, and political world against the backdrop of a turbulent era in American history. At the core of the film is the One to One charity concert for special needs children, John Lennon’s only full-length concert between the final ticketed Beatles concert in 1966 and his death. The film includes a wealth of previously unseen Lennon archives, including personal phone calls, home movies filmed by John and Yoko, and restored and remastered footage from the One to One concert with remixed audio overseen by Sean Ono Lennon.

In 1980s Quebec, 10-year-old Hélène – who insists on being called Jo after her favourite cartoon heroine, Joséphine La Petite Mousquetaire – lives in a lively, working-class neighbourhood with her three sisters, an unhappy father, and a strict but understanding mother. Among the colourful locals, her favourite is their gruff but tender-hearted neighbour, Monsieur Roger. With a romantic spirit and a vivid imagination, Jo dreams of heroic adventures and takes on her most ambitious mission yet: saving her father from the weight of his struggles.

In 1980s Quebec, 10-year-old Hélène – who insists on being called Jo after her favourite cartoon heroine, Joséphine La Petite Mousquetaire – lives in a lively, working-class neighbourhood with her three sisters, an unhappy father, and a strict but understanding mother. Among the colourful locals, her favourite is their gruff but tender-hearted neighbour, Monsieur Roger. With a romantic spirit and a vivid imagination, Jo dreams of heroic adventures and takes on her most ambitious mission yet: saving her father from the weight of his struggles.

An Italian box office sensation and winner of six Italian Academy Awards, There’s Still Tomorrow is a neorealist-inspired drama with a sharp comedic edge. Set in postwar Rome and shot in black and white, it follows a resilient working-class woman as she endures daily struggles under the thumb of her oppressive husband. When her daughter’s engagement offers a glimpse of a different future — and a mysterious letter arrives — she finds the strength to rewrite her fate.

An Italian box office sensation and winner of six Italian Academy Awards, There’s Still Tomorrow is a neorealist-inspired drama with a sharp comedic edge. Set in postwar Rome and shot in black and white, it follows a resilient working-class woman as she endures daily struggles under the thumb of her oppressive husband. When her daughter’s engagement offers a glimpse of a different future — and a mysterious letter arrives — she finds the strength to rewrite her fate.

Featuring compelling first-hand accounts from the people who steered this complex and crucial case to the Supreme Court of Canada, this uplifting documentary showcases the passion, dedication, and sacrifices necessary to change the world for the better. Delwin Vriend never wanted to be a human rights activist. In challenging his firing for being gay, he set in motion a chain of events that impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ people — not just in Alberta and in Canada, but around the globe.

Featuring compelling first-hand accounts from the people who steered this complex and crucial case to the Supreme Court of Canada, this uplifting documentary showcases the passion, dedication, and sacrifices necessary to change the world for the better. Delwin Vriend never wanted to be a human rights activist. In challenging his firing for being gay, he set in motion a chain of events that impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ people — not just in Alberta and in Canada, but around the globe.