Montreal image+nation, International gay and lesbian film festival is pleased to announce that the Canadian feature film Whole New Thing by Amnon Buchbinder will open its 18th edition on Thursday November 3 at Cinema Parisien (480 St-Catherine St. W.)

A highly entertaining and poignant film, Whole New Thing brings us to Nova Scotia where Emerson (Aaron Webber) lives with his parents Kaya (the remarkable Rebecca Jenkins) and Rog (Robert Joy) in their eco-home in the wilds. When Emerson develops his first crush on Don (Daniel MacIvor), his English teacher, he throws himself into the awakening of his heart with alarming abandon. A beguiling and provocative comedy/drama about the discovery of sex and the longing for intimacy, Whole New Thing brings to life the rites of passage of youth and middle-age. Director Amnon Buchbinder along with co-writer MacIvor has created a very smart, funny, frank and captivating film.

Co-writer and actor, Daniel MacIvor will be this year’s main portrait at image+nation. Prolific writer, director and performer, and the artistic director of the award-winning theatre company da da kamera, Daniel MacIvor has seen his plays travel throughout Canada, the U.S., Europe, Israel and Australia. His accomplishments as a filmmaker include writing the short film The Fairy Who Didn’t Want to Be a Fairy Anymore and writing and directing Parade (with Brad Fraser), Permission and Until I Hear from You, both presented in this Portrait section. His first feature film, Past Perfect, premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, along with the screenplay adaptation he created from his play Marion Bridge (directed by Wiebke von Carolsfeld). He also wrote and directed Wilby Wonderful. A major contributor to Canadian and international theatre and film, Daniel MacIvor creates poignant images and characters that speak to a distinctly Canadian queer identity. Daniel MacIvor will be in Montreal from November 3-7.


With close to 140 works, the festival proposes an impressive array of new voices and a fine group of established filmmakers, both with strong visions. Full program and schedule of this 18th edition of image+nation is online (www.image-nation.org). The Festival will be held at Cinema Parisien from November 3-13. Tickets pre sales continue until Wednesday November 2 at Parking Lounge (1285 Amherst St.).