#SPOTTED: ASHLEY GREENE AND SHAWN ASHMORE IN TORONTO FOR “IT FEEDS”

What a way to celebrate Canadian Film Day! The stars descended upon Scotiabank Theatre last night and the Red Carpet was rolled out for Ashley Greene, Shawn Ashmore and the Cast and Crew of Chad Archibald Horror IT FEEDS! The Horror centers around a family who have a home psychiatric practice, and a young girl shows up claiming that an evil force threatens to consume her. They must do all they can to stop this entity. Black Fawn Films release April 18, 2025, and the Film sits at 100% on the Tomatometer!

So thrilled to see Greene and Ashmore last night, taking the time out generously to greet fans on the Red Carpet. They are off to premiere the Film next in Hamilton! This is how it’s done!

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#FIRSTLOOK: NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY 2025 CELEBRATIONS

Amidst the current swell of cultural pride, National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) is seeing partner registrations running 50% higher than last year, and is expecting the total number of free screenings to exceed 2000. On April 16, 2025 Canadians will unite in a massive, celebratory, elbows up explosion of Canadian film, as part of the world’s biggest film festival and Canada’s largest cultural celebration.

An estimated 100,000 Canadians will attend live events in every province and territory, and in more than 40 countries worldwide, while more than two million will enjoy hundreds of offerings at home, on broadcast and streaming.

“In this time, our culture matters and our stories matter – more than ever. They show us who we are, who our neighbours are, what we care about. CanFilm Day gives us all the opportunity to celebrate our country, and our shared values – together, with our elbows way up,” said Artistic Director Sharon Corder.

In an atmosphere of tariffs and trade wars, we’ve seen a groundswell of interest in preserving and celebrating Canadian culture. CanFilmDay is giving everyone an opportunity to Stand Up for Canada – by Sitting Down to Watch a Great Canadian Film.

Programming highlights across the country on April 16, 2025 include:

• A Town Hall-style event in Toronto, featuring Yannick Bisson, Don McKellar, Mary Walsh, and others. Hosted by Ali Hassan, the special guests will talk about the Canadian films that have shaped them and engage in a dialogue with audience members about what Canadian culture and stories mean to them.

canfilmday.ca

#FIRSTLOOK: NATIONAL CANADA FILM DAY 2025

Canada — the 51st state? Maybe not so much. Interesting times, eh? Good thing we’re not only polite, we are tough as the pre-Cambrian Shield. And fortunately that includes our filmmakers. They know how to keep hope and inspiration alive even if it’s cold and dark outside.

National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) returns on April 16, 2025, with a programming Spotlight on Canadian films that are sure to give you a sense of connection, strength, and hope. The 2025 Spotlight – Something to Believe In – includes stories that capture the power of art, of community, of having a dream, and of fighting for what you believe in.

We are honoured to announce that Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon has granted viceregal patronage to National Canadian Film Day again this year.

CanFilmDay and this year’s Spotlight list provide Canadians an opportunity to gather together to indulge in some of Canada’s best cinema. The Spotlight showcases Canadian favourites old and new, including some of the top films from 2024 festivals, such as:

Universal Language – dir. Matthew Rankin – Canada’s submission to the 2025 Academy Awards

Bergers (Shepherds) – dir. Sophie Deraspe – winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival

Yintah – dir. Jennifer Wickham (Wet’suwet’en), Brenda Michell (Wet’suwet’en), Michael Toledano – winner of the Best Canadian Documentary Award at the 2024 Hot Docs Festival
In addition to recent festival highlights, the 2025 programming will also include special anniversary screenings of some of Canada’s most beloved films, such as:

Oscar-winning documentary The Man Who Skied Down Everest, directed by Bruce Nyznik and Lawrence Schiller, celebrating its 50th anniversary

Sunshine, directed by István Szabó, nominated for 14 Genie Awards (winning Best Picture) and 3 Golden Globes, celebrating its 25th anniversary

Alan Zweig’s cult favourite documentary Vinyl, celebrating its 25th anniversary

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen, directed by Don Owen and Donald Brittain, released 60 years ago

C.R.A.Z.Y., the instant classic by the late, Oscar-nominated Jean-Marc Vallée, having its 20th anniversary

Clement Virgo’s Rude, winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award and a Special Jury Citation at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival, released 30 years ago

You can browse the full list of films at canfilmday.ca/spotlight.

As always, CanFilmDay will reach across Canada and around the world with free in-person events hosted by hundreds of screening partners in communities big and small. And our broadcast and streaming partners don’t want you to miss the party – they’ll be programming Canadian films to enjoy from the comfort of your couch.

As we’ve done for the past eleven years, there will be a variety of different activities, and programming for audiences young and old:

Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres, retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more

Filmmaker and special guest Q&As following many of the films

Hundreds of screenings of Indigenous-made films, including a special tribute to the late Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair

A variety of French-language programming screened for both Francophone and Anglophone communities nationwide

Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada

Our annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students

A wealth of great Canadian films to watch from home, thanks to our many broadcast and streaming partners

And much more – so look out for more announcements in the coming weeks

If you’d like to host a free event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.

Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 16. You can also find us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.

#FIRSTLOOK: NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY 2024

National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) will be back on April 17, 2024 with a Spotlight on Canadian movies that are so unique, joyous, quirky, and, well…human, that they couldn’t have been dreamt up by even the most sophisticated Artificial Intelligence. The 2024 programming spotlight – Films That A.I. Could Never Make – proves that no algorithm can replace the passion, soul, and personal vision at the heart of these 50 incredible films made by Canadian humans for Canadian humans. And you get to choose! See the full list at canfilmday.ca/spotlight.

We are honoured to announce that Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, is returning as the Honorary Patron of this year’s National Canadian Film Day. An address from Her Excellency will precede CanFilmDay screenings.

Once again, hundreds of screening partners across the country will host free in-person events in communities big and small. The major broadcasters and streaming services are also joining the fun with Canadian films to enjoy at home.

As usual, there will be a wealth of programming for all audiences:

Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres, retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more

Events for new Canadians and English-language learners

Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada

Our annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students

A wealth of great Canadian films to watch from home, thanks to our many broadcast and streaming partners
And much more – so look out for more announcements in the coming weeks
If you’d like to host a free event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.
Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 17. You can also find us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.

#FIRSTLOOK: NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY IS APRIL 19, 2023

National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay), presented by REEL CANADA, is bigger than ever for its tenth anniversary on April 19, 2023, with over 1300 live events taking place from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and approximately 120 events in nearly 45 countries around the world.

We are honoured to announce that Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, is again the Honorary Patron of this year’s National Canadian Film Day.

A detailed announcement about our programming and special guest participation will follow in the coming days, but here are a few highlights:

Canadian cinema suffered two important losses since our last CanFilmDay and both will be honoured with nationwide tributes spotlighting their indelible legacies.

Canadian screen legend Gordon Pinsent will be celebrated with multiple screenings of John and the Missus, the award-winning 1987 feature that he wrote, directed and graced with a Genie Award-winning performance:

in Vancouver with the Vancouver International Film Festival with producer Peter O’Brian in attendance,
in Toronto as part of an all-day Gordon Pinsent marathon, hosted by fellow Governor General Award Winners Colm Feore and Mary Walsh in attendance,
in Ottawa by the Canadian Film Institute followed by an online Q&A with Mary Walsh.
John and the Missus will also be streaming for free across Canada, courtesy of the producer.

The groundbreaking Mi’kmaw filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, who died last October following a year-long battle with cancer, will also be honoured with a tribute supported by Netflix. Programming will include a video of remembrances by close friends and colleagues, and a special screening of Barnaby’s brilliant 2019 horror movie, Blood Quantum, in Toronto, followed by a live Q&A with star Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot/Sámi). Additional screenings of the film will take place in Halifax, Thunder Bay, Calgary, and Vancouver, and it too will be available for free streaming nationwide.

Founding Sponsor Cineplex is providing cinema screens across the country. The Landmark Cinema chain is also contributing venues in several communities.

CanFilmDay is also partnering with the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE) for the second year. 50+ NICE members are showing a variety of anniversary titles and new releases, some of which include introductions from filmmakers and special guests.

We are also once again joining forces with Quebec-based MediaFilm (mediafilm.ca) to activate cinemas across Quebec, with screenings of Chien Blanc, followed by a pre-recorded interview with director Anaïs Barbeau Lavalette.

Making great Canadian films available to virtually every Canadian could not be accomplished without the participation of nearly every broadcaster and streaming platform in the country.

Canadians who want to enjoy a great Canadian film from their living rooms will have a vast array to choose from, thanks once again to the enthusiastic participation of broadcasters Hollywood Suite, APTN, Bell Media, Corus, Superchannel, CBC, APTN, Cinépop, CHCH, Out TV, Blue Ant Media, Wild Brain, VisionTV, Uvagut TV and Game TV, as well as streaming services Netflix, CBC Gem, Crave, The Roku Channel, the National Film Board, and others.

In our sixth year of partnership with Global Affairs Canada, (inter)National Canadian Film Day is bigger than ever before, with over 120 screenings in 45 countries.

Highlights include:

Beans director Tracey Deer (Mohawk) visiting South Carolina for a Q&A and panel discussion with representatives from local Indigenous nations
Writer-director Chandler Levack attending the BAFICI (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente in Argentina) for a screening of her film I Like Movies.
Hundreds of other organizations and networks will be part of the celebrations on April 19, including TIFF Film Circuit, Royal Canadian Legions, Canadian Armed Forces bases, Canadian Parents for French, ARCA (Artist Run Centres and Collectives), film festivals, public library associations, retirement residences, schools, and many others.

REEL CANADA Artistic Director, Sharon Corder, says, “National Canadian Film Day is about connecting our great national cinema with audiences everywhere. Its success is based on the enthusiasm and engagement of literally hundreds and hundreds of partners in every corner of the country. CanFilmDay is something the whole country can agree on.”

CanFilmDay is made possible through the efforts of dedicated sponsors and partners who continue to support us year after year, including Telefilm Canada, Netflix, CBC, Canada Media Fund, Hollywood Suite, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, Bell Media, Ontario Arts Council, DGC Ontario, and more. The complete list can be found on the sponsor page of our website.

Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 19. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.

Deepa Mehta, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Vinay Virmani, Clement Virgo, Chandler Levack, Sudz Sutherland and Colm Feore as well as Jack Blum and Sharon Corder, Executive and Artistic Director of REEL CANADA, are available for interviews.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2023 NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY FESTIVITIES ANNOUNCED

On April 19, 2023, National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) is turning ten! So we’re throwing a big party. A really big party. A coast-to-coast-to-coast party. And for refreshments? A buffet, of course. A giant, mouth-watering All You Can Watch Buffet of Canadian film.

This year’s programming spotlight will showcase one hundred titles: a broad and diverse cross-section of Canadian films, with ten enticing categories, each featuring ten delectable films. Categories include “Champagne and Caviar” (critically acclaimed award winners), “Jello Salads” (movies to make you smile), “Food for Thought” (a selection of worldview-changing films), “Freshly Picked” (hot new releases) and much more. You can check out all the categories and all 100 films at canfilmday.ca/spotlight/2023-spotlight.

Hundreds of screening partners across the country will once again host free in-person events in
communities big and small, with lots of broadcast and streaming options as well.

As usual, there will be a wealth of programming for all audiences:
-Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres,
retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more
-Our annual event for new Canadians and English-language learners will be back in person this
year in Toronto
-A tribute to groundbreaking Mi’kmaw filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, whose passing in 2022 shook
the film community in Canada and beyond
-Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada
-Our annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students
-A wealth of great Canadian films to watch from home, thanks to our many broadcast and
streaming partners
-And much more – so look out for more announcements in the coming weeks

If you’d like to host a free event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.
CanFilmDay is a massive endeavour that’s made possible through the efforts of dedicated
sponsors and partners who continue to support us year after year. We’re thrilled that so many of
our sponsors are returning in 2023, including Telefilm Canada, RBC Foundation, CBC, Ontario Arts
Council, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, CMPA and more. The complete list can be found on the
sponsor page of our website.

Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 19. You can also find us on Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.