Vancouver Film Industry to Strike the Right Notes With Hit n’ Strum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Weekend Club, MPPIA & We Create BC will present special screening and celebration of local film industry on March 9

Vancouver, BC – There’s a lot of talent in Vancouver. That’s why First Weekend Club has partnered with the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC (MPPIA) and their WE CREATE BC campaign for a special screening of the made-in-Vancouver film, “Hit n’ Strum,” on Saturday, March 9th at Fifth Avenue Cinemas. MPPIA Chair Peter Leitch will attend and speak at the screening.

“We are very pleased to help celebrate Vancouver filmmaker Kirk Caouette’s Hit n’ Strum under the newly established We Create BC banner,” says MPPIA Chair Peter Leitch. “We Create BC profiles the talent, jobs and investment driving BC’s vibrant creative industries – so that all British Columbians can take pride in what is being achieved in this province. I can’t think of a better way to inaugurate the campaign than with this locally made film,” Leitch adds.

Arguably, a bit of a love song to Vancouver, “Hit n’ Strum” shows off the city’s beauty and is made entirely by local cast and crews.

Vancouver director, actor and composer Kirk Caouette brings the story of an unlikely friendship between Stephanie (Michelle Harrison), a driven young lawyer and Mike (Caouette), a homeless busker. Worlds collide when Stephanie takes a wrong turn and runs down Mike with her car. As Mike gets to his feet, Stephanie panics and peels away, leaving the scene and her conscience behind her. The next day on her way to work she is shocked to see Mike playing guitar and busking in front of her office building…

Although Vancouver is known for the multitude of Hollywood films that have been shot here over the years, and for the disguises that it has worn portraying other cities, there are also plenty of local films shot in Vancouver that tell its unique stories. “Hit n’ Strum” is just such a film, inspired by a chance encounter with a busker on a cold February morning in Gastown.

The March 9th event not only offers audiences a chance to see this great, locally-made film, but will also celebrate Vancouver’s diverse and distinct film industry and community. The filmmakers and actors will be in attendance following the early evening screening (7:30) and a post screening party with live music by Kirk Caouette and special guests will follow at Ceili’s Pub. Anyone with a movie ticket stub will also receive a complimentary beverage, courtesy of Ceili’s. This screening event is part of the film’s theatrical run, opening March 8th at Fifth Avenue Cinemas.

The We Create BC movement, led by MPPIA celebrates B.C.’s creative industries and is leading the motion picture production community in its quest to tell its story and showcase its true value and contribution to the province’s vibrant creative economy.

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