This weekend’s threeday Take Two Film Festival, will provide an opportunity to celebrate not only film’s ability to affect social change but this community’s commitment to ending violence.

It will allow supporters of Family Transition Place (FTP) to demonstrate their commitment to making respect and healthy, respectful relationships the norm, not the exception, in our community.

An FTP donor, the festival launches today (Thursday March 4) at Empire Theatres in Bolton with Young Reels Night. In an effort to inspire youth in the Dufferin and Caledon high schools, organizers have asked Media Studies students to submit short films which will be showcased for a live audience on the big screen at the theatre. These young directors and film makers will first be treated to a backstage tour of the theatre, and following the screenings, the opportunity to meet and learn some “insider” tips from renowned casting director, Karen Hazzard.

Now in its third year, Take Two Film Festival has been growing in momentum and excitement, with first rate festival-circuit films and celebrity hosts. The Festival Gala will be held on Friday at the Royal Ambassador Event Centre in Caledon. This very special night allows the community to gather in the splendour of the Royal Ambassador Event Centre, to celebrate, film’s ability to affect social change, and this community’s commitment to lives lived without violence. This year, the “Old Hollywood Glam” theme will imbue the festivities with elegance, as guests enjoy the fabulous fare, great company, and amazing raffle prizes. Bestselling author and actress Shelley Peterson, hosts the evening. Of course, the night also features a selection of award-winning short films chosen to stimulate thought and provoke discussion.

Back at Empire Theatre in Bolton on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m., the feature film will be the award-winning Mary and Max.

“Mary and Max is an unexpected and eye opening delight” says CBC Film Critic, Jesse Wente. Mary and Max is can’t miss film-making. It’s a film that allows entry into topics seldom discussed, let alone captured on screen,” which is what makes the claymation production the perfect draw for film buffs. The screening is immediately followed by a panel discussion with film makers and animators Nancy Beiman and Kaj Pindal, actor Mike Kirby, former Monday Night at the Movies’ Jan Smith-Bull and is hosted for the third year in a row by CBC radio’s talented film critic, Jesse Wente.

Creation, the final screening, begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Empire Theatre. This film is based on the true story of Charles Darwin. Darwin is torn between his love for his deeply religious wife and his own growing belief in a world where God has no place. He finds himself caught in a battle between faith and reason, love and truth.

Following this screening, the Festival closes with a splash at the final celebration Wrap Party in the theatre lobby. The audience is able to discuss the film they’ve just seen and review the highlights of the festival with friends over a glass of wine and some good food!

Family Transition Place relies on community support, through donations and attendance at events like the Take Two Film Festival, to ensure its programs maintain their high standard of excellence and that Violence Prevention programs continue to be available to the youth and communities of Caledon and Dufferin.

For more information on FTP or the services offered, please visit the website – www. familytransitionplace. ca