This past weekend, the Kingston Canadian Film Festival stormed the city premiering Canadian-made feature films, short films and music videos. As one of the largest stand-alone festivals in Canada, it amasses quite a crowd of moviegoers from young kids to elderly groups. The festival has become a city favorite, generating excitement and discussion throughout the city.

This year, MUSE Magazine was invited to attend the red-carpet event for the Slaight Music Video Showcase.

The Slaight Music Video Showcase was conceived back in June of 2022 to create music videos for local Kingston musicians at no cost of their own. This special concept allowed local filmmakers, production companies and creators to create something special that connects with the film and music community within Kingston. Funded by KCFF and the Kingston Film Office, 11 musicians and various filmmakers were selected and paired together to create and premiere their videos at the film festival last Saturday.

Photos from Left to Right: Tiny Horse — Clara Roberts // Rae Corcoran // Julia Beattle, Mason Pyke // Mickayla Pike.

The red-carpet event was held at the beautiful Grand theater located in Kingston's historic downtown. As the event began, stars of the music videos and their creators all walked across the red carpet, answering questions from interviewers and striking poses for the photographers. Excitement filled the atmosphere of the event as emerging artists and creators were eager to see their work on the big screen.

The musicians and filmmakers sported unique outfits that left lasting impressions. A few standouts were a sticky note sweater worn by a contributor of Kasador band and Outpost 12 Studios music video and other looks from Tiny Horse band and Little Friday productions.

The red carpet wrapped, and attendees were invited to enter the theater to view the premiere of the videos. Some of our favourites were Outpost 12 Studios, Little Friday Productions, and Happy Kid Productions.

Photos from Left to Right: John Abrams // Alex Mundy, Guest of Outpost 12 Studio, Josh J.

Winning Best Music Video was Outpost 12 Studios and Kasador band's highly creative and colorful video. The video reimagined Andy Warhol’s pop art style with women painted with blue and pink skin, a post-it note man, a giant coin, and other abstract concepts. Also, the video was technically done with lots of consideration of editing and pushed limits by stepping outside the box.

 A Kingston band favorite, Tiny Horse, also premiered their narrative video of two old ladies with funky style having a girls' night out in downtown Kingston. Little Friday Productions warmed the audience's hearts with their video symbolizing long-lasting friendship and making the most of life and its simplicities.

Happy Kid Productions brought Luella’s song, New Conversations, to life, creating a funny romantic video about a pair of loved and beaten-up converse. As memories were being made while wearing the shoes, they paid tribute to a few of Kingston's local gems like BSE skate shop and Brian’s record store.

Overall, the night had a great turnout and celebrated a genre of filmmaking that is often missed and not recognized. The showcase demonstrated the emerging music scene in Kingston, and we are excited to see the development of the creators and artists in the coming years!

Article by: Lily Grigoriadis

Photos by: Taryn Resende