11th Annual, 2022 Festival Gala Announced

Annual Film Festival – March 4-13, 2022

2022 Gala Event

DocFest 2022 is thrilled to announce the return of the much-loved Gala evening at Belleville’s historic Empire Theatre. In addition to the live Gala event the festival is proud to be streaming 50 outstanding documentary films. As in past years, we’re planning a knock-out Gala evening, pairing a fabulous music doc with a rocking live music performance. The Gala film and recording of the live performance will be available for viewing for three days during the week of the festival. We look forward to being together in The Empire Theatre while still providing access online. Our in-theatre event will be fully compliant with all public health measures in place next March.

Gala Film

DocFest is pleased to present the award-nominated film, Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm a star-filled documentary about rock ‘n roll’s first legendary residential recording studio by Hannah Berryman, a Golden Rose nominee. In the early 1970’s, two Welsh brothers turned their dairy farm into one of the most successful live-in recording studios. During a 12-month period in the mid-1990’s the studio was the source of Five Number One albums! The film focuses on British rock music acts who recorded on the farm including Black Sabbath, Queen, The Stone Roses, Oasis and Coldplay. It includes appearances by musician greats like Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, to name just a few.

Gala Concert

Following the Gala film, the in-theatre audience will be treated to the festival’s live music performance. This year’s artists, Four Lanes Wide, are a straight-up classic rock band based in Peterborough. For our Gala event, FLW will mix hits from the film, covers of greats like CCR, The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin with their own original tunes. Whatever the material, you’ll agree that the band’s passion for music and performing shines through.

About the Festival

DocFest’s 11th annual program will present some must-see films from around the world and right here in the Quinte region. Similar to last year, audience members will have 10-days from March 4-13, 2022, to watch their favorite picks at a leisurely pace. Each film will be available for three days to ticket holders after its digital premiere. The festival will also include online events such as filmmaker Q&A’s. 

DocFest is using a state-of the art broadcast platform again to provide a top-notch virtual audience experience, including 24/7 audience support directly from your screen.

Sign up for DocFest’s e-Newsletter at downtowndocfest.ca or follow us on social media for the latest news.

DocFest is grateful for the support of the community, the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage and the City of Belleville.