Local film festival takes aim at social isolation

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on October 23, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

The What Matters to Hatters Coalition is tackling social isolation with its Project Unlonely Film Fest and Community Mingle.

Roughly five or six films will be shown, says Michelle Sauve with What Matters to Hatters. Films range in tone, with both comedic and moving moments, but speak to different challenges of the day which can contribute to loneliness, such as substance abuse.

Following this, attendees will learn more about the various projects and organizations within the community which are working to address social isolation, as well as the launch of a new initiative from What Matters to Hatters. Highlighted groups include City of Medicine Hat parks and recreation, Community Food Connections and the Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership, among others.

“Medicine Hat Healthy Communities – An Equity Lens will be publicly launched,” said Sauve. “The intention is to try to do some work so that we can foster greater equity, inclusion and belonging in our community and it ties in quite nicely with the Project Unlonely films.”

While turnout to the same event last year was low, the feedback they received was overwhelmingly positive, said Sauve, leading them to decide that they would want to continue to host the gathering based on that qualitative feedback.

“It’s kind of an all encompassing event for both Medicine Hat Healthy Communities in that launch and the broader aspect of the community, and the projects and how we’re addressing these issues here in the city,” said Sauve.

The event runs from 2-4 p.m. at the Monarch Theatre on Nov. 8 and is free to attend. Concession will be available for purchase, though the first 100 people to arrive will receive a $5 concession coupon.

Sauve does note that some of the films shown contain offensive language and sensitive content and encourages guardians to exercise parental discretion in regards to their children attending.

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