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This Wednesday evening, February 24th, marks the beginning of the Canadian Art Foundation‘s Reel Artists Film Festival, a series of 14 documentaries on the subject of artists.  The opening night film, and Canadian premiere, is Tamra Davis’ Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, fresh from its very recent Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize nomination. 

The opening night gala (at $175 for tickets, ‘gala’ is the only descriptive word appropriate here) promises to be quite a shin-dig. It all starts with a pre-screening reception at 6:30pm at the Royal Conservatory‘s Koerner Hall, and after the 88-minute screening your ticket also buys you admittance to the ‘celebration’ beginning at 8:30pm.

Now, if the opening night price tag brings you to the conclusion that this festival is too rich for your blood, don’t fret.  The rest of the festival will be screened at the Al Green Theatre (Miles Nadal JCC) at much more reasonably prices, with festival passes for $65, advance seats at $10, and rush tickets for $12.  And if you’re a student, there’s some even better news – the Canadian Art Foundation is offering FREE student tickets on select films on Friday, February 26th (students, see this link for instructions on how to order).

Personally, I’m particularly interested in the Toronto premiere of Yayoi Kusama: I Love Me, screening as part of the festival.  I just went to a retrospective of Kusama’s work in December – and sadly (for you), the exhibit was at the Wellington City Gallery in New Zealand (I know, I can be a tease sometimes).  Normally not an enthusiastic fan of avant-garde, I was nonetheless taken with Kusama’s large, colourful polka-dot canvasses, her black and white ink drawings, her mirrored ball installation, and the fantastic mirrored room of coloured lights.  Though it’s unlikely you’ll get to Wellington, this upcoming screening on Friday, February 26th is quite accessible right here in Toronto (and a lot cheaper than a plane ticket).

Other films to be screened examine the lives and work of a diverse set of artists; from Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara and Newfoundland conceptual artist Collette Urban, to Canadian painter Alex Colville and portraiture artist Chuck Close.  There is even a film featuring Ernst Beyeler, an influential art dealer.  So if you’re interested in artists and their creative process, Festival screenings run from Friday through Sunday (February 26-28).  Get out and see one!

Clips from Tamra Davis’ opening night film on Jean-Michel Basquiat can be found here.  For information on screening times, and to purchase tickets, please see the festival schedule.