MONTREAL, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The 30th annual Montreal World Film Festival two-week schedule includes 215 features and 194 shorts, despite its loss of federal funds.
The World Film Festival, Aug. 24 through Sept. 4, will include 106 world premieres and 58 North American premieres, Daily Variety reported.
Telefilm Canada and Sodec, Quebec's culture ministry, withdrew funding last year and instead invested in the New Montreal FilmFest, which collapsed after one season.
"We have to preserve the World Film Festival if we want to have a major film festival in Quebec," festival producer Rock Demers said.
One its world premieres will be "The Secret Life of Happy People," by Canadian producer Roger Frappier who had backed the rival festival. Other notable films include "The Chinese Botanist's Daughters," a French Canadian production by Dai Sijie and "The Greatest Love of All" by Brazilian Carlos Diegues.
The festival will honor French actress Bulle Ogier, Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, Canadian actor Remy Girard and Japanese actor Kiyoshi Atsumi.
