Online WFT Student Elizabeth Hrib to Premiere ‘Grey Matter’ at Female Eye Film Fest
In This Article
Elizabeth Hrib, an Online Writing for Film & TV student, is set to celebrate the world premiere of her film Grey Matter this week at the Female Eye Film Festival.
“Having the world premiere of Grey Matter in Toronto is beyond amazing,” said the London, Ontario native. “As a Canadian writer, I’m ecstatic to get to see my work on the ‘big screen’ for the first time in a city that means so much to me.”
About Grey Matter
Written by Hrib and directed by Arabella Burfitt-Dons, Grey Matter follows teenaged Chloe, who is tasked with caring for her eccentric grandmother Peg following her diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. Determined to make their summer together unforgettable, Chloe encourages Peg to make a list of all the things she wants to do before she forgets and strives to fulfill all of those wishes. But as her grandmother’s health deteriorates, Chloe must face her own struggle with depression and the reality of losing her grandmother to long-term care.
“I wrote Grey Matter during the pandemic – a time when the world felt a little bit out of control. Inspired partly by my experience as a nurse and by my relationship with my own grandmother, this story explores the complexities of mental health, particularly for teenagers, as well as the fears and difficulties associated with transitioning to long-term care,” Hrib explained.
“Writing this story, I was reminded that sometimes life isn’t about controlling the chaos, but about accepting that it’s okay to exist in a space that’s a little complicated and confusing and grey. Now, as a student in Toronto Film School’s Online Writing for Film & Television program, I look forward to exploring this grey space, writing more intimate family dramas, and honing my screenwriting skills.”
About the Female Eye Film Fest
Hrib said she’s also excited to be celebrating the film’s premiere at the Female Eye Film Fest, which has been advocating for gender equity, inclusion and diversity since 2001. Running from July 26-30 at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, this year’s festival boasts five days of screenings from filmmakers from across North America, Germany, Iran, Spain, France, Colombia, China, Ireland, the UK, South Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey, Japan, Italy, Belgium, and Latvia, among others.
“To be premiering at the Female Eye Film Festival is so exciting. This festival advocates for inclusion and diversity in the industry and champions these perspectives with the tagline – Always Honest, Not Always Pretty,” she said.
“I can’t wait to explore these stories with all the talented filmmakers, cast, and crew in attendance this year.”
Screening Details
Grey Matter will premiere on Friday, July 28 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W. For tickets, go to https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/feff-matter
The film is also slated to mark its Saskatchewan premiere on Aug. 3 at the Regina International Film Festival, where it’s nominated for Best International Film.
