VVS Films release FRIENDSHIP in Toronto & Vancouver theatres May 16, 2025, followed by an expansion nationwide May 23, 2025. This TIFF ’24 Midnight Madness selection was a festival hit!

Synopsis:

Suburban dad Craig (Tim Robinson) has his life turned upside down by the arrival of a new neighbour (Paul Rudd). As Craig’s attempts to make an adult male friend spiral out of control, their blossoming relationship threatens to ruin both of their lives.

Details:

Genre: Comedy

Director: Andrew DeYoung

Cast: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk

Runtime: 100 minutes

Howie Mandel made the most out of April Fool’s Day, pulling a prank as a judge gone wild on tonight’s episode of CANADA’S GOT TALENT!

Key moments from tonight’s episode of Canada’s Got Talent, include:

● MAHIRO (Fukuoka, Japan) had Shania and Howie dancing in their seats with an intriguing performance of his original track, “Sausage Song”.

● 75-year-old singer, VALERIE BOYLE (Toronto, ON), won the judges’ hearts and a standing ovation with her humour, charm, and moving performance of “Send In The Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim. Valerie vowed to donate any prize winnings to Community Living, a local non-profit that has supported her son and others who have intellectual disabilities.

● Dance troupe 902 CREW (Charlottetown, PEI) lit up the stage with an electrifying performance, wowing both the judges and the audience with their unstoppable energy.

● 69-year-old comedian HOWIE MANDEL (Toronto, ON), shocked the CGT audience and his fellow judges with a captivating performance of a judge gone wild, in a wildly successful April Fool’s Day prank. Howie critiqued the comedy set of a local actor, 10-year-old Remy Smith, who played an aspiring stand-up comedian and Howie superfan.

● Canada’s Got Talent alumni CARSON & TAYLOR (Sarnia, ON) pulled off a mind-blowing trick featuring a surprise guest, astronaut and Sarnia-native Chris Hadfield, that left the judges and audience in absolute shock.

● Shania Twain hit her Golden Buzzer for singer JACOB LEWIS (Butlerville, NL), who performed a mesmerizing cover of “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi that also earned him a standing ovation.

Rogers is once again providing the winner of Canada’s Got Talent with a life-changing prize of $1M (plus $50 from Howie Mandel) – the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history, plus financial advice from CIBC. And that’s not all! Every Golden Buzzer recipient will receive $25,000 (totaling $150,000), courtesy of CIBC, to help realize their ambitions.

Tonight’s Performances (Tuesday, April 1)

MAHIRO – Variety

Fukuoka, Japan
Check Out MAHIRO’s Performance

VALERIE BOYLE – Singer/Musician

Toronto, ON

Check Out VALERIE BOYLE’s Performance

902 CREW – Dance

Charlottetown, PEI

Check Out 902 CREW’s Performance

ADA VOX – Variety

San Antonio, TX
Check Out ADA VOX’s Performance

CARSON & TAYLOR – Magic

Sarnia, ON
Check Out CARSON & TAYLOR’s Performance

JACOB LEWIS – Singer/Musician

Butlerville, NL

Check Out JACOB LEWIS’s Performance

**COMING UP**

A Sneak Peek at Next Week’s Contestants (Tuesday, April 8)

STUDIO 26 DANCERS – Dance

Halifax, NS

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

KP STONE – Singer/Musician

Ottawa, ON
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

KYRA DANIEL – Singer/Musician

Kingston, ON
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

DARREN LEO – Comedy

Toronto, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

BEN KAHAN – Magic

Toronto, ON
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

JACOB HILLHOUSE – Variety

Lindsay, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

YAMA LAURENT – Singer/Musician

Lévis, QC

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

Canada’s Got Talent is produced by MEM Inc., and Fremantle, in association with Citytv, a division of Rogers Sports & Media based on the Got Talent format owned by Fremantle and SYCO Entertainment.

Get ready to dance, drink, and experience the pulse of Toronto’s underground music scene as HiddenHills.to, the city’s newest independent party collective, is back with the second installment of its highly anticipated House Party series. Taking place on April 12, 2025 from 9PM to 3AM at the iconic Dovercourt Dance House (805 Dovercourt Rd.), the event promises a night of non-stop music and unforgettable vibes. Featuring dynamic performances by MISHA, Squillz, and more, guests can enjoy a fully stocked bar with drinks available for purchase while soaking in the ultimate house party atmosphere – oh, and it’s free to attend!

HiddenHills.to isn’t your typical party collective. Born from a desire to break away from the typical world of club culture, this enigmatic collective thrives on creating events that go beyond the ordinary.

First feature artist of the night and co-founder of HiddenHills.TO, Squillz isn’t just a rapper, singer and writer by trade—he’s a full-force creative, crafting high-quality production videos, content, and now, unforgettable experiences. With a multitude of his projects released over the years, his newest project, Trade Places officially dropped this week. Known for his dynamic performances and cinematic visuals, he’s expanding his vision beyond his own music with HiddenHills.TO and furthering his passion for all things music and the arts.

“We’re all about creating unforgettable events where people can dance, mingle, and vibe,” says Squillz. It’s not about the mainstream — it’s about crafting experiences that resonate with those who crave something different, something raw, something real. HiddenHills.to isn’t just a party; it’s a movement, a space for like-minded locals to escape the predictable and embrace the unknown, where every beat tells a story, and every night holds a new mystery.”

Other feature artist of the night, MISHA is a DJ and producer that has travelled the globe alongside some of the world’s most renowned DJs including David Guetta and Martin Garrix. Now, he brings that vibrant energy to his own performances. Some of his notable performances include SailWeek (Croatia), THE FORT (Los Angeles) and Love Island (Croatia).

“The last party that I was a part of was so much fun, and I can’t wait to run it back! HiddenHills.to events bring all sorts of people together to have the time of their lives. I’m lucky to be part of it. We can’t wait to bring these vibes again and make new memories on April 12,” says MISHA.

Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot for HiddenHills.to’s House Party Vol. 2 HERE.

Make sure to stay tuned to HiddenHills.to on Instagram for further updates (and future events in the works)!

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

Remember what you’re fighting for. Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, and Ralph Macchio star in Karate Kid: Legends – coming soon exclusively to movie theatres via Sony Pictures Canada. Today we get a new Trailer!

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

Dive in with handsome sea lion pup Leo in Disneynature’s all-new feature film “Sea Lions of the Galápagos,” streaming on Disney+ beginning April 22, 2025. Narrated by Brendan Fraser, the stunning feature film explores the fascinating world of the Galapagos alongside a host of creatures from land and sea.

CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

In celebration of Disneynature’s “Sea Lions of the Galápagos,” Disney Conservation Fund is supporting Conservation International, working alongside local organizations to connect more than 1,500 youth with the beauty of the Galápagos and inspire action to reduce ocean plastics for the benefit of marine life like sea lions.

SOUNDTRACK

The “Sea Lions of the Galápagos” Original Score Soundtrack composed by Raphaelle Thibaut will be available on streaming services April 22.

In “Sea Lions of the Galápagos,” Leo eventually leaves his mother’s colony to find his own home following swimming lessons, fishing expeditions and some growing up. Male sea lions must fight to earn the best spots, and only the strongest will become beachmasters. Leo’s lifelong quest is fraught with challenges and filled with new encounters with an array of creatures, from marine iguanas and racer snakes to yellow fin tuna and huge Galapagos sharks. The archipelago is Leo’s playground—overland and underwater—but he must stay vigilant to find his place in the world. Disneynature’s “Sea Lions of the Galápagos” is directed by Wilson, co-directed by Keith Scholey, and produced by Wilson, Scholey and Roy Conli, the adventure features music by composer Raphaelle Thibaut.

ALSO STREAMING APRIL 22

Narrated by Blair Underwood, Disneynature’s “Guardians of the Galápagos” goes behind the scenes with the crew of “Sea Lions of the Galápagos” to showcase not just the production of a film, but the world that inspired it. In their quest to relay the story of a young sea lion pup named Leo, the Disneynature team battles seasickness, searing heat and extreme diving conditions. Their efforts, however, are rewarded, capturing rarely seen sea lion behaviors—from playful pups and surfing teenagers to adult bulls hunting gigantic yellowfin tuna. Global challenges threaten the archipelago, including invasive species, pollution, illegal fishing and increasingly frequent El Niño events. The film spotlights the growing community of champions—the true Guardians of the Galápagos —who work to protect the islands, supporting environmental campaigns, cleaning beaches, restoring corals and helping local children experience this magical place. Directed by Filer and produced by Filer, Keith Scholey, Hugh Wilson and Roy Conli, “Guardians of the Galápagos” streams alongside “Sea Lions of the Galápagos” on Disney+ on April 22, 2025.

The Weeknd’s HURRY UP TOMORROW, a companion to his smash #1 album, gets a new Trailer.

Cineplex Pictures release May 16, 2025.

Directed by: Trey Edward Shults
Cast: Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega, Barry Keoghan
Synopsis: A musician plagued by insomnia is pulled into an odyssey with a stranger who begins to unravel the very core of his existence.
Genre: Psychological Thriller

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include Flight Risk, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Queen of My Dreams, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, SAW X, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and John Wick: Chapter 4.

After taking the coveted TIFF ’24 People’s Choice Award, Mike Flanagan‘s THE LIFE OF CHUCK now will see a release this Summer via Elevation Pictures. We finally get a new Teaser!

Synopsis:

A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

Elevation Pictures release THE LIFE OF CHUCK June 6, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Today, Prime Video turned up the heat by revealing the first look images for the third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. The Amazon Original series will return to Cousins Beach this July with an 11-episode season and will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

Season three of The Summer I Turned Pretty is led by showrunners Jenny Han and Sarah Kucserka. Han, Kucserka, and Karen Rosenfelt serve as executive producers, along with Paul Lee, Hope Hartman, and Mads Hansen for wiip. The series is a co-production of Amazon Studios and wiip.

Based on the best-selling book trilogy from Jenny Han, the Prime Video drama has become a cultural sensation and captured the hearts of fans around the globe. Season One debuted in summer 2022 and become the #1 show on Prime Video premiere weekend. Season Two debuted in summer 2023 and more than doubled Season One’s viewership within three days of launch.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a multigenerational drama that hinges on a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the ever-evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship. It is a coming-of-age story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer.

Jenny Han is the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The SummerI Turned Pretty series. Her books have been published in more than 30languages. For television, she created two new series based on her books—PrimeVideo’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which she executive produces and co-showruns, and the Netflix series XO, Kitty, a spinoff of the To All the Boys universe, which she also executive produces. For film, she executive produced all three films in Netflix’s global hit To All the Boys trilogy. Han lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Canadian Film Fest (CFF), the indie-spirited festival dedicated to celebrating Canadian filmmakers, revealed the 2025 award winners on Saturday, March 29 at the festival’s Closing Night. The awards follow a very successful festival, which had its biggest lineup in the history of the event driven by a record number of submissions from filmmakers.

On the heels of a 6 CSA nominations, Naomi Jaye’s sophomore feature DARKEST MIRIAM took home Best Feature;Sarah Galea-Davis was honoured with the Best Director award for her film THE PLAYERS, while Stefani Kimber won the feature film jury award for Best Acting for her performance in the film. S K E E T by writer-director Nik Sexton took home People’s Pick for Best Flick.

“This year more than ever, we are proud to bring incredible homegrown stories to the big screen for Canadian audiences,” said Ashleigh Rains, Festival Director, Canadian Film Fest. “This year’s festival is a reminder of how powerful our community of Canadian filmmakers and creatives are when we come together to support one another. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners, and thanks for another spectacular festival!”

See below for the complete list of winners for CFF 2025. For more information, visit canfilmfest.ca.

The 2024 Canadian Film Fest Award Winners:

BEST FEATURE – DARKEST MIRIAM by Naomi Jaye, produced by Julie Baldassi, Brian Robertson

BEST DIRECTOR – Sarah Galea-Davis for THE PLAYERS

BEST SHORT FILM – SLEEP TALKING by Ethan Godel

BEST PRODUCER SHORT FILM – Amir Zargara and Iman Tahsin for A GOOD DAY WILL COME

PEOPLE’S PICK FOR BEST FLICK – S K E E T by Nik Sexton

Feature Film Jury Awards:

The feature film jury included Paul Gratton (Whistler Film Festival Programmer), Kim Albright (Writer/Director), Ian Harnarine (Writer/Director).

BEST ACTING – Stefani Kimber in THE PLAYERS

BEST DOCUMENTARY – GOLD BARS: WHO THE F*CK IS UNCLE LUDWIG? by Billie Mintz

SPECIAL MENTION FOR ORIGINALITY AND DIRECTION – WAITING FOR THE STORM directed by François Delisle

Short Film Jury Awards:

The short film jury consisted of Eva Thomas (Director), Kiarash Dadagar (Director), Alice Wang (Writer/Director, Programmer), Katie Uhlmann (Actor, Writer/Director and President of WebSeries Canada) and Vanessa Magic (Director).

BEST COMEDY SHORT FILM – BAIL BAIL by Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM – BEAUPRÉ THE GIANT by Alain Fournier

JURY HONOURABLE MENTION – SLEEP TALKING by Ethan Godel

BEST PERFORMANCE – Celia Green in GREENHORN

About the Canadian Film Fest
The Canadian Film Fest is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the art of cinematic storytelling by exclusively showcasing Canadian films. The festival unites film-loving audiences with diverse selections of features and shorts from across the country. The CFF provides Canadian filmmakers with essential professional development and networking opportunities through its Industry Series and awards.