Rebrand brings broader programming to downtown Charlottetown
The festival formerly known as the Charlottetown Film Festival will return this fall under a new name and expanded format. Now billed as ANCHOR Fest, the event will run from Oct. 14 to 18 and take place at multiple venues across downtown Charlottetown, organisers announced in their lineup release.
Music, film, conference and comedy across five days
Organisers have positioned ANCHOR Fest as a multi-disciplinary festival. In addition to film screenings, the programme includes music performances, conference activities and comedy shows, aiming to attract both Island audiences and visiting attendees during the mid-October period.
Music roster features Island and regional acts
The festival’s music bill features a mix of local and regional performers. Confirmed music acts include Slash Need, Heavenly Blue, Penny & the Pits, Captains of Everything, Nick Doneff, Sam O, Uncle, Blige, Dear Blossom, Space Bud, Cathedra Grove, Green Eyes and Witch Hands. The inclusion of these artists signals an emphasis on live music alongside the festival’s cinematic offerings.
- Dates: Oct. 14–18
- Location: Multiple downtown Charlottetown venues
- Programming: Music, film, conference sessions and comedy
Film selection includes award-winning titles
On the film side, ANCHOR Fest will screen several notable festival winners, bringing acclaimed works to Charlottetown audiences. The announced film programmes include:
| Film | Notable award |
|---|---|
| The Snake | SXSW Special Jury Award for Performance winner |
| Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney | TIFF Midnight Madness Award winner |
| Unholy Night | Fantasia Best Canadian Feature Award winner |
The programming choices point to a festival intent on presenting both high-profile indie fare and Canadian filmmakers recognised at major festivals.
Comedy component aims to draw live audiences
Comedy will be another pillar of the event. Highlights listed in the announcement include the touring show Big 3 LIVE, featuring Nathan Hare, Sam Burns and Ben Stager. Another featured show is Matt Wright: Matterday Wright Live, which the festival notes will include the cast of The Snake as part of its presentation. The mix of stand-up and cast appearances is likely intended to broaden the festival’s appeal beyond film purists.
Local impact and practical details
For Charlottetown, the festival’s move to a multi-venue downtown format could bring increased foot traffic to local businesses during the mid-October period. Festival-goers attending screenings, music sets and comedy acts may patronise restaurants, bars and shops clustered near event venues. Select tickets are on sale now, and organisers encourage those interested to consult the festival’s official website for full schedules and ticket information.
The rebranding from a film-focused event to ANCHOR Fest reflects a trend among regional festivals to diversify offerings in order to attract wider audiences and create more reasons for extended stays in host cities. For residents and regular festival attendees, the fall calendar in Charlottetown will now include a cultural event that spans several art forms over five days.
Further details, including specific venue listings, screening times and conference session topics, are available from ANCHOR Fest’s online programme.
