Government of Yukon
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FOR RELEASE #06-144
June 19, 2006
Film Festival Hosts North American Premiere Of Finding Franklin
WHITEHORSE - The Yukon International Film Festival, June 21 to 25 in Whitehorse, is hosting the North American premiere of Finding Franklin (2005), a documentary exploring the lost Arctic expedition of Sir John Franklin.
"Although this film was shot on location in Ireland, the ill-fated expedition of Sir John Franklin and this incredible film speak to the adventurous spirit in all of us," Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon said. "We are pleased to host the North American premiere of Finding Franklin and encourage everyone to come out to the Yukon International Film Festival and take in this, and all the high quality films being presented at the festival."
The Irish production tells the extraordinary story of Sir John Franklin, who in 1845 set out to find a sea-going route to Asia through the fabled Northwest Passage. The expedition never returned. Despite a £30-million search in the 19th century, a series of scientific expeditions in the 20th century and new investigations in the 21st, the mystery of the fate of the Franklin Arctic expedition has never been solved. Finding Franklin recounts the desperate tale of a ferocious struggle against death and the equally desperate struggle to discover what went wrong.
The Yukon International Film Festival will screen over 30 feature and documentary films. Combining a variety of indigenous, environmental and independent films with several films shot in Yukon provides an opportunity to highlight filmmaking opportunities here in the territory.
Tickets for the Yukon International Film Festival are now on sale at Hougen's Box Office and the Yukon Arts Centre. For a complete festival film schedule and a list of special guests and events, please visit www.yukonfilmfest.com.
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Amanda Leslie |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Media Liaison |
| Yukon Government | Yukon International Film Festival |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 334-4770 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | amanda@amandaleslie.ca |