Some of the films I saw at the festival: Meet the Fokkens, About Face, The Frog Princes, Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet, Only The Young, The Imposter, Women with Cows, The Queen of Versailles, Who Cares?, The Waiting Room, The World’s Most Fashionable Prison, Life in Stills, The Invisible War, and Detropia!

My favourites had to be be The Imposter, The Queen of Versailles, and Life in Stills. Life in Stills didn’t get that much buzz and wasn’t a film I expected to love but decided to watch it after a friend who had seen it recommended it. So glad I saw it – It was the kind of documentary I love watching: a character piece with a narrative. Not to mention how it was dramatic with so many moments of comedy.

The flight back to Toronto was partially horrible, partially wonderful. The first flight was a 13 hour flight from Singapore to Frankfurt. I was in such a bad mood and had a horrible seat – in the middle of a middle section. Even with a sleeping pill I was so tired but couldn’t sleep because it was so uncomfortable. A second sleeping pill did the trick.

After a 4 hour layover in Frankfurt I boarded an Air Canada flight to Toronto. Oh how I love Air Canada’s entertainment system. They have independent films, foreign films, documentaries, an entire NFB selection – wonderfulness. I ended up watching Martha Marcy May Marlene which I enjoyed very much. I was also lucky enough to sit in first class which made the flight go by very very fast.

Roni and Isabell on the way to the theatre

God of Love was the third place winner, in second place was a French Canadian film Bow Tied, and first place went to Raju (you will hear that title at the academy awards tonight). David Winstone received an honourable mention for his film For Elsie (Not only was it a great film, but there also a Glenn Gould mention in it haha) The Best documentary went to Jenni Nelson for Love Hacking, and the two Audience choice awards went to Love Hacking and Tomer Eshed’s Flamingo Pride.

Tomer being congratulated on his win for Flamingo Pride

Lorne, on the bus to Tisch Asia

Afterparty at Tisch Asia

Teodor channelling Walter White (unintentionally)

Richard and I

Richard, David, Jenni

Clark Quay

I ended the night with a MUCH needed trip to McDonalds with Jenni and Sara. On our way there, I had brought up how much I’d love a poutine right now and was shocked to find out they had never heard of the delicious dish (Oh Americans, you don’t even know what you’re missing). More shocking was finding garbage on the streets! In Singapore! I felt it was my duty to take a picture of the only litter in Singapore.

There wasn’t enough light to get an exposure so we had to result to iPhone light. Jenni and I.

David and Richard.

rning… I didn’t realize just how bad my burn was. We were all pretty badly burnt. Before entering the botanical gardens we stopped by a grocery store to try and find some sunscreen and aloe vera. The sunscreens were ridiculously expensive, and we found a tiny bottle for about $16. While waiting for the cashier to ring it in, we start applying it. Then she rings it in and the price comes up as something like $26! We’re like, hell no, we’re not paying for that. It turns out the price on the shelf was wrong so we ended up taking a different bottle instead- after she saw us using the first one ha!

Isabell and Roni

Another night of screenings at the Cathay Cineplex

More burn victims. Whoever wasn’t at the pool was at the beach. We all looked roasted when we saw each other at the screenings that evening. Milan and Lorne bellow. (Lorne put his finger on his chest and took it off right before the picture for a great before/after effect)

4.5 hours of short films makes you very hungry!

city but the rainforest really reminded me of the scenery I’d see in Canada. It was so hot and humid outside and some parts of the path were REALLY steep. By the end everyone was holding on to the last few drops of water they had. Overall it was an exhausting day but the people I was with made it fun. I’m also very glad that other people in the group had a hard time hiking and I was not the only one feeling like a grandma.

We made some friends on our way out of the forest

Much needed food after breaking a sweat. Sara, Daniel, Missy

David, Sara

tly, going in circles on the MRT until finally finding Bugis market which is actually 2 minutes from our Hotel. I should also mention that I was the one leading the way. We made it to Bugis at last (we prefered the name Boogie) and enjoyed juice deliciousness. Met everyone at the screenings later that evening.

Lorne, Alex, Anita

Lunch at NYU Tisch Asia the next day

Lorne and Jenni

Tristan, Sara, Richard

David

Hotel Pool

Lorne and Isabell

Jenni, Richard, Isabell, Daniel

I was the first from the festival to arrive and had all of Saturday to explore by myself. I found the city pretty easy to navigate as the MRT (Singapore’s subway system) had stops in almost every part of the city. I started my day in Little India and then made my way to MacRitchie Reservoir located outside of the city. It was a very nice place and the breeze was wonderful. There is also a suspended bridge at the reservoir but after the jet lag and so much walking throughout the day I simply was too tired and went back to the hotel. Looking at some photos of the bridge online I’m actually kind of upset that I didn’t get to walk on it.

Some photos from MacRitchie Reservoir:

Some shots from the flight, Toronto to Chicago to Tokyo.

At the airport in Tokyo waiting for my next flight.