A Pop Culture Guide to the 2023 Victoria Film Festival

Victoria Film Festival Current LogoThe 2023 Victoria Film Festival is turning twenty-nine years old, and it’s terrific to see them continue to support the local filmmaking community. Arnold Lim’s latest, “My Name is Arnold,” is the spotlight this year. Not only do they continue to bring the love for independent film to Vancouver Island but also do what they can to keep cineastes  in town happy.

Whether they attract more from abroad is something they should include in their guide to say why this event is important on a global scale. That’s mostly because there’s lovers of film from afar who often ask that.

If travelling to the wet and wintry garden city is not possible to show support, then I suggest checking out if your local film festival or art house theatre will play them. Thankfully, there’s three works in this list which are more accessible than others (see below). One is already on home video, and I’ll never tire of watching on a traditional basis.

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What’s New in Bootoria Event Guide 2022 Edition

Victoria, BC isn’t dry for scary things to do. There’s a lot of dance parties for Bootoria 2022, but why limit yourself to other family fun activities?

nullThere are not a lot of new special events going on in Victoria, BC as Halloween nears. Aside from staples returning to normal form as pandemic concerns abate, what’s new is limited to what is advertised and not. Please check our past Bootoria Event Guide(s) for those annual shows that may have come and gone. It’s safe to say not every organiser wants to be liable should immunised event goers get sick.

But as for those confirmed to be running, the list includes the staples–John Adam’s Ghostly Walks, Galey Farms’ Festival of Fear, Ocean View / Saanichton Corn Mazes Fright Nights, The Vic Theatre’s annual Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cinecenta offering some movie marathon. This year is Nosferatu Live!.

Sadly, the organisers behind Fear in the Pier and University Frights Theatre haven’t announced anything. Let’s hope they have something spectre-acular planned when we can truly put the pandemic behind us. But as for what’s new, I’m compiling this list as they become known for the public to purchase tickets in advance for. Thanks go to Theatre Victoria’s Facebook collective for contributing ideas to this list.

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[Victoria, BC] Cherry Bomb Toys Needs Your Help

Cherry Bomb Toys is more than a fixture, but also a heart of the Nerdtoria community with the many shows they put on throughout the year.

Cherry Bomb ToysSay it isn’t so, but another fixture in Victoria, BC’s Nerd Row is required to relocate. Cherry Bomb Toys and The National Toy Museum of Canada can’t stay in the building they called home for 13 years.

According to Candice Woodward, co-owner of the two operations, the new landlords have other plans. It’s tough to say what 1410 Broad Street will become, but since they’re not going to challenge CTV Vancouver Island (formerly known as A Channel before broadcasting giants took over), what that bit of street will become is unlikely going to be media related. All any long time residents of this city can hope for is that the Victoria Event Centre isn’t the next target.

What lays along Broad and Johnson are many shops catering to comic book, gamers, home video enthusiasts, and toy collectors. A few years ago, Yellowjacket Comics had to move because the building needed upgrades. It’s safe to say developers don’t have the interests of geeks in mind and Nerd Row will eventually get demolished. It’s safe to say Legends Comics and Books is next.

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In 2022, Capital City Comic Con is Still Hot as Summer Winds Down

The panels at Capital City Comic Con 2022 are great for newcomers, and yes, I even presented my best of upcoming movies.

Capital City Comic Con 2022

Capital City Comic Con 2022 brought nearly every aspect of pop culture to the Convention Centre as Autumn began. Although I noticed two clubs weren’t in attendence, that’s okay because I knew what was going on (more on this later). And as for what locals can look forward to next, there’s the Ultimate Toy & Hobby Show on Oct 1st and 2nd at the Pearkes Recreation Centre!

This city had Rifflandia and Esquimalt Ribfest the previous weekends and its easy to express an opinion that locals are experiencing fatique. Brewery & the Beast occurred the same time as Cap City; it can be tough to decide on which event is worth being at since the Sun was out. The foodie in me knows the latter will return at the same time, but for the comic book and pop culture festival, it’s not likely be a regular September fixture. The organisers don’t have a date for 2023 but Candice Woodward said, “Please follow at our social media channels for updates.” She’s co-owner/operator of Cherry Bomb Toys, one of three organisations responsible for this fandom celebration.

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Capital City Comic Con 2022 Revealed: Pokémon and Star Trek to Headline.

This year, there seems to be more artists this year than ever before at Capital City Comic Con 2022. Most are local.

capital city comic con 2022 logo

Runs Sept 23 – 25, 2022
Victoria Conference Center & The Crystal Gardens
720 Douglas Street

his Fall, Capital City Comic Con 2022 is set to return to say the heat is still on in the Pacific Northwest. After three sizzling events (ECCC, RCCC and Pax) south of the border, the Downtown Victoria Business Association hopes fans far and wide will visit the Garden City and enjoy everything this event offers. After two years, the pandemic can’t put a halt to everything because people are scared of catching the covid-19 virus.

Reports are hinting at a huge Pokémon presence, with daily challenges and events for players of this seven-year-old game to enjoy. Sadly, Niantic won’t be involved, but the local community is. Facebook’s VanIsle Pokémon Go Syndicate will be running daily events for those still playing this mobile (and often non-augmented reality) game! Also, Vancouver’s Geekenders is coming to this event to present Nerdlesque: Pokemon A-Go-Go! This is a separately ticketed show available to non convention attendees, and it’s an adult show.

Also, role playing games, board games and your usual round of panels and special guests to talk about their continued work in the entertainment industry. This year’s round-up includes touring convention regulars and a full representation of comic book talents from the island. As a bonus in this updated article, we have dining guide posted on our sister blog, Two Hungry Blokes (link here)!

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