FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver Film Media Contacts:
Marty Schechter, Alexandra Dunne, Jon Ewing, Heather Collins
October 26, 2022
marty@denverfilm.org, Alexandra@denverfilm.org, jon@denverfilm.org, heather@denverfilm.org
DENVER –
Denver Film announced today that actress, choreographer, writer, and director Sheila McCarthy will appear in person and on the Red Carpet during the Closing Night of the 45th Denver Film Festival (DFF45) Saturday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. McCarthy will attend the screening of WOMEN TALKING, written and directed by Sarah Polley, with a screenplay by Polley, based upon the book by Miriam Toews. McCarthy stars alongside Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, with Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand. Prior to the screening, McCarthy will receive the DFF45 Career Achievement Award, a prestigious award for those making significant strides in cinema.
McCarthy was born in Toronto and began her career at The Charlottetown Festival as a professional dancer when she was sixteen. She has spent four decades working across the country in major theatres and films and is a two-time Canadian Screen Award winner for I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING, which screened earlier this year. She is also the recipient of the Charles Chaplin Award in Vevey, Switzerland, and received the People’s Choice award at the Cannes Film Festival. Other notable credits include STEPPIN OUT, BEING JULIA, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, I WAS A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, and CARDINALS.
“Sheila McCarthy’s character in WOMEN TALKING shows the raw nature of being stuck in an isolated community. She truly depicts the emotion in how these women must grapple between reality and faith. It’s a powerful film that festivalgoers will want to see,” said Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell. “We’re honored for Sheila’s in-person guest appearance. Closing Night will truly be a special evening, especially as we present the prestigious DFF Career Achievement Award to her.”
McCarthy has spent four decades working across Canada in every major theatre, including Soulpepper, Stratford, and Shaw Festivals. Sheila has directed and choreographed Sweet Charity, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Trapdoor at Sheridan College, Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Harold Green Theatre, Norm Foster’s Lunenburg in Orangeville, and most recently, a brand-new musical of Pinocchio at Young People’s Theatre by Brian Hill and Neil Bartram. On television, select credits include Picket Fences, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Orphan Black, Isobel, The Good Doctor, and Umbrella Academy.
For ticket information and to view the full schedule of in-person screenings, Red Carpets, special presentations, and guest panels for DFF45, as well as a robust lineup of virtual screenings, visit: https://denverfilmfestival.eventive.org/welcome
MARQUEE: Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, Amazon, AOR, Barbara Bridges, Catering by Design, Denver Botanic Gardens, Liberty Global, Lighthouse Immersive Moye White, Sheila K. O’Brien, University of Denver – Department of Languages, Literatures, & Cultures, Xfinity
SPOTLIGHT: Butler Rents, Caz Matthews, MUBI, NPU Events, SeriesFest, William LaBahn
STUDIO: American Airlines, Milkhaus
CAMEO: CORT, CFVA, Crested Butte Film Festival, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Infinite Monkey Theorem, Newberry Brothers, Ratio Beerworks, Taloma Partners, The Family Jones, The Palm Group – Baird, TV5MONDE, Unrated Cab
PARTNERS: Colorado Dragon Boat, Denver Arts & Venues, Ken’s Print & Graphics, Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, The Color of Conversation
GOVERNMENT & FOUNDATIONS: Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media, Consulate General of Canada, Consulate General of Ireland, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)
FILM: Ballard Spahr, Canada Now, Colorado Environmental Film Festival, GHP Investment Advisors, La Colombe, Parry, SAGindie, The Center for African American Health, Visit Denver
MEDIA: 5280, CBS4, Colorado Public Radio, Denver Life, Pearl Street Marketing
Founded in 1978, Denver Film is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution that produces film events throughout the year, including the award-winning Denver Film Festival and the popular summertime series Film on the Rocks. With a vision to cultivate community and transform lives through film, Denver Film provides opportunities for diverse audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences.
The permanent home of Denver Film, the Sie FilmCenter is Denver’s only year-round cinematheque, presenting a weekly-changing calendar of first-run exclusives and arthouse revivals, both domestic and foreign, narrative and documentary – over 600 per year, all shown in their original language and format. Denver Film’s one-of-a-kind programs annually reach more than 200,000 film lovers and film lovers-in-training.
