Who is Bruce Kauffman?

Who Is Bruce Kauffman? is an anthology film that explores and celebrates Kingston, Ontario’s vibrant poetic community through the eyes of a poet impresario who manages to be both ubiquitous and elusive. Kauffman’s influence is broad and longstanding – if one proceeds from any given place on an imagined map of Kingston’s poetry scene, then Bruce will show up somewhere along the trail, humbly and unassumingly encouraging all local writers.

This film follows a day in the life of Bruce Kauffman, from his long-standing radio show on CFRC 101.9 FM, the Queen’s Campus Community Radio Station, to his “…and the journey continues” open mic, the longest running open mic series in Kingston, to his work as editor and mentor to countless young poets, to his passionate involvement in poetry readings, workshops, published anthologies, book launches, and arts festivals all over the beautiful limestone city. It is a love letter to Bruce, the living legend of Canada’s most literary town, who has given so much of himself to his community.

In the film, the city’s most accomplished film makers collaborate with some of Kingston’s finest poets to interpret their poems in short cinematic vignettes, calling on the artistry of the local community to bring their vision to life. Stilt-walkers, swimmers, dancers, musicians and actors all come together to offer audiences a unique doorway into the vibrant, underground world that is Kingston’s literary scene.

They join Kauffman in giving us a snapshot of the city and its poetry.

FEATURING KINGSTON POETS

  • Alyssa Cooper
  • Armand Garnet Ruffo
  • Fernando Monte
  • Helen Humphreys
  • Jason Heroux
  • Sadiqa de Meijer
  • Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang
  • Steven Heighton
  • Wanda Praamsma

FEATURING KINGSTON FILM MAKERS

  • Clarke Mackey
  • Craig Berggold
  • Don Maynard
  • Elisa Paloschi
  • Fernando Monte
  • James Greatrex
  • Josh Lyon
  • Julia Krolik & Owen Fernley
  • Leigh Ann Bellamy
  • Max Montalvo
  • Nuno Ramalho