Still Alive in Kingston & Single Woman Seeking Child

A double-bill of world premieres at KCFF25! 

In STILL ALIVE IN KINGSTON, Kingston writer-director Jay Middaugh and leading man Bill Welychka have a very good time blurring the line between fact and fiction. Showing off his comedy chops in a role based loosely on himself, Welychka stars as an entertainment journalist who’s feeling down on his luck when he gets a chance to achieve the national prominence he once enjoyed. But in the course of creating his demo reel – which also serves as a showcase for some of Kingston’s most exceptional musical talent, including The Wilderness, Keaton, Luella and Miss Emily – Bill’s meetings and misadventures help him to escape his inertia and truly find his place in his new community.

And preceding STILL ALIVE, we have a delightful and deeply personal short film SINGLE WOMEN SEEKING CHILD by former Kingstonian, Blain Watters, the winner of the KCFF’s 25 Years 25 Minutes Pitch Competition. A screenwriter and director who earned wide renown for co-writing SLEEPING GIANT (KCFF16), Watters based his new short on the experiences of his mother. Vanessa Smythe stars as Sandy, a woman in early-'80s Kingston who bucks the conservative nature of the times when she sets out to fulfill her dreams of motherhood (mostly) on her own. Continually enriched by its warmth, humour and generous supply of local colour, Watters’ short is the best kind of tribute.

Stick around after the screenings for an in-depth Q&A with cast and crew from both films!

This event is part of the 25th edition of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, running from February 26th - March 2nd, 2025. Head to kingcanfilmfest.com to check out the full lineup!