Join Edmonton International Film Festival at the Art Gallery of Alberta for a fundraiser for Ukraine. Enjoy treats from May Restaurant before a screening of Troy Ruptash’s They Who Surround Us, a film shot in Vegreville inspired by Ruptash’s Ukrainian heritage. Ruptash wrote, directed and starred in the film.
They Who Surround Us was screened at the 2020 EIFF when seating capacity was only 25 per cent. The film received the Audience Choice Award for Best Dramatic Feature Film.
“Very few people were able to see it, so given the connection that Vegreville has with Ukraine, and the fact that Troy is from there, we thought, ‘Why not bring the film back now and try to generate some revenue to help the people in Ukraine?’” says Kerrie Long, associate producer of EIFF.
The film is followed by an audience Q&A with Ruptash, who flew in from Los Angeles for the event. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Ruptash’s charity of choice — Cobblestone Freeway Support Ukraine Foundation.
“He chose that organization because apparently they helped him a lot when he was in Ukraine researching and writing this particular script,” says Long. “They’re really focused on helping the artists on the ground in Ukraine who aren’t able to work right now.”
The EIFF Fundraiser for Ukraine is on April 16 at the Art Gallery of Alberta, located at 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq. The reception starts at 6 p.m. followed by the film at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person.
