Telefilm Canada invests $24M+ in 11 big-budget features in the English market

Telefilm Canada invests over $24 million to fund 11 feature-length films in the English market as part of the first round of decisions under the Production Program’s big budget stream, seven of which are majority coproductions and several book-to-screen adaptations. This investment accounts for 69 per cent of Telefilm’s annual budget for funding English market feature films under the Production Program’s big budget stream.

The selected projects represent impactful stories, told from distinctly Canadian perspectives, that will resonate widely and satisfy commercial and arthouse audiences.

In addition, four projects are receiving greenlight funding for additional pre-production support, including projects from Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec; and three of which are majority coproductions.

The evaluated projects featured filmmakers with experience levels ranging from award-winning veterans to mid- and early-career creatives and those selected for funding echo that exciting mix.

A Thread of Violence (mystery/crime)
Director: Robert Budreau
Screenwriters: Robert Budreau and Grayson Moore
Production: January Media and Lumanity Productions
Co-Production: Sleeper Films
Distributor: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Ireland

Eggplant (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Yung Chang
Production: Medium Density Fibreboard Films Inc.
Distributor: Game Theory Films
Province: Ontario
Language: Mandarin
*Majority coproduction with Ireland

Forgiveness (historical drama)
Director: Deepa Mehta
Screenwriter: Mark Sakamoto
Production: Hamilton-Mehta Productions Inc.
Distributor: Mongrel Media
Province: Ontario
Language: English and Japanese

Half-Blood Blues (historical drama)
Director: Clement Virgo
Screenwriters: Patrick Whistler and Clement Virgo
Production: Conquering Lion Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English, French and German
*Majority coproduction with Germany

Lullabies For Little Criminals (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Sarah Gadon
Production: Brightlight Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: British Columbia
Language: English and French

Mary, Mary (drama)
Director: Bruce LaBruce
Screenwriters: Bruce LaBruce and Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay
Production: Compass Productions Inc.
Distributor: A-Z Films Inc. (with Raven Banner)
Province: Quebec
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Belgium

Nightingale (historical drama)
Directors and screenwriters: Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson
Production: Thin Stuff Productions Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Manitoba
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with United Kingdom

Rapture (horror)
Director and screenwriter: Jordan Tannahill
Production: Elevation Pictures
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with United Kingdom

Suffering Is Optional (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Zarrar Kahn
Production: CityLights Media Inc., LBG Films Inc., Other Memory Media, and Couronne
Nord Inc.
Distributor: Game Theory Films, with h264 (Quebec)
Province: Ontario, Quebec
Language: English, French and Urdu

Untitled Matt Johnson Film (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Matt Johnson
Production: Zapruder Films Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
Language: English

Worse Together (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Luis De Filippis
Production: JA Productions Inc. and Fra Diavolo Films Inc.
Distributor: Maison 4:3, with MDFF
Province: Ontario
Language: English
*Majority coproduction with Switzerland

In the first intake of the Production Program’s big budget stream, 55 projects – including 13 majority coproductions – were assessed, representing $126 million in funding requests. Telefilm met with the teams behind each project submission.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process, across multiple rounds of decisions over the coming months, is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page at the end of each fiscal year.

It should also be noted that the project teams selected under the Springboard Initiative will be contacted shortly. Under this initiative, projects that were not selected for production funding but ranked highly during the evaluation process may be invited to apply for development funding to strengthen their project for a future production application.

More funding decisions will be announced through April to September of this year. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2026—

Introducing The One Wish Willow – the mysterious vintage object designed to grant your one true wish!

Now available at OneWishWillow.com, The One Wish Willow is at the center of Focus Features’ and Universal Pictures Canada’s upcoming horror film, OBSESSION, from writer/director Curry Barker, which puts a chilling new spin on the classic monkey’s paw tale.

Want to see it for yourself? Check out our new infomercial HERE:

Still not convinced? Customers are already sharing their experiences online and on Reddit. The device is even available in stores at The Green Man in Los Angeles.

And for those less-than-satisfied with their wish (though we guarantee results), additional support is available through our Help Hotline: call 1-323-747-7118.

Be careful what you wish for!

Writer/Director: Curry Barker
Cast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter
Producers: James Harris (Teashop Productions), Haley Nicole Johnson (Under the Shell), Christian Mercuri (Capstone Pictures), Roman Viaris.
Executive Producers: Jason Blum (Blumhouse), Leonora Darby (Teashop), Mark Lane (Teashop), David Haring (Capstone), Ruzanna Kegeyan (Capstone Pictures).
Synopsis: After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.

Today we get a new Featurette for THE SHEEP DETECTIVES!

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Amazon MGM Studios release THE SHEEP DETECTIVES May 8, 2026.

Directed by: Kyle Balda

Screenplay and Screen Story by: Craig Mazin

Based on the novel by: “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann

Produced by: Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner

Executive Producers: Sarah-Jane Wright, Amelia Granger, Aditya Sood, Tyson Hesse, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Tim Wellspring

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon with Hong Chau and Emma Thompson

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, Rhys Darby

Genre: Family, Mystery, Comedy

Rating: PG for thematic material, some violent content and brief language

Today, Prime Video released the official trailer for the finale of Good Omens from Amazon MGM Studios, Narrativia and BBC Studios Comedy. The 90-minute episode will premiere in more than 240 countries and territories.

Good Omens 3 picks up where the ineffable story left off in Season Two as the beloved and unlikely duo – angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley return to face their most epic and personal adventure yet. Their millennia-long friendship has been fractured ever since Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) accepted the offer to return to Heaven, leaving Crowley (David Tennant) behind. Now, as the newly appointed Supreme Archangel, Aziraphale is tasked with overseeing the Second Coming, a monumental responsibility that weighs heavily on him, and is made worse when his plans cause some consternation among the other angels. Meanwhile, heartbroken Crowley finds himself at rock bottom, wandering the streets of Soho.

As the fate of the universe hangs in the balance, Aziraphale and Crowley must confront their relationship, heal old wounds and rediscover their bond. From navigating London’s gangsters to thwarting Hellish threats, they face personal betrayals and the complexities of their own emotions in this timeless expedition. Together, they must decide whether their friendship – and the world itself – is worth saving.

Good Omens 3 stars Michael Sheen and David Tennant as angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley, respectively. Also reprising their roles are Doon Mackichan as Michael, Gloria Obianyo as Uriel, Liz Carr as Saraqael, Paul Chahidi as Sandalphon, Quelin Sepulveda as Muriel, and Sir Derek George Jacobi as The Metatron. Bilal Hasna joins the cast as Jesus.

Rob Wilkins of Narrativia, representing Terry Pratchett’s estate; as well as BBC Studios Comedy’s Chief Creative Officer, Josh Cole serve as executive producers alongside Rachel Talalay, who directs the finale. Sarah-Kate Fenelon and Chris Newman serve as producers.

About Prime Video

Prime Video is a one-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one application available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can find their favourite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports, including Prime Monday Night Hockey – also Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Fallout, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, The Boys, and Roadhouse; licensed fan favourite Vampire Diaries; exclusive entertainment such as Prime Monday Night Hockey, ONE Championship; and programming from channels such as Sportsnet, Paramount+, Crave, Citytv+, STARZ, AMC+, Super Channel, BritBox, Hayu, STACKTV, a multi-channel service featuring 16 top-tier networks (Global, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, The HISTORY® Channel, Adult Swim, Lifetime, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, Treehouse, YTV, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD), via Prime Video Channels add-on subscriptions. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters such as Barbie and Oppenheimer, via the Prime Video Store. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favourite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.primevideo.com

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada x Mr. Will are thrilled to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of MORTAL KOMBAT II in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Screenings are as follows:

SCREENING DETAILS:

Toronto

4/27

7:00 PM

PX Cinemas Queensway and VIP

Montreal

4/27

7:00 PM

CPX Forum et VIP

Vancouver

4/27

7:00 PM

CPX Park Royal and VIP

Synopsis:

From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II. This time, the fan favourite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.

Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, alongside Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, with Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion.

Director Simon McQuoid returns to helm the follow up to his explosive 2021 cinematic adventure, from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater, based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. The film is produced by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh and McQuoid, and executive produced by Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Slater and Lawrence Kasanoff.

Joining McQuoid behind the camera are director of photography Stephen F. Windon, production designer Yohei Taneda, editor Stuart Levy and costume designer Cappi Ireland, with casting by Rich Delia and music by Benjamin Wallfisch.

New Line Cinema Presents an Atomic Monster/Broken Road Production, a Fireside Films Production, Mortal Kombat II. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, only in theatres and IMAX® across North America on May 8, 2026.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, X, or IG. In the comments, tell us your City and tag 1 friend you’re taking! Multiple entries allowed. You must be following.

Rules and regulations here.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release MORTAL KOMBAT II May 8, 2026.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

Madonna announced today her eagerly anticipated new album Confessions II is set for release on July 3rd via Warner Records.

The new album is the continuation of the iconic counterpart Confessions on a Dance Floor. Ahead of the lead single, Madonna unveils the first taste of music with a trancelike visual teaser. Watch HERE. Fans can pre-order the album + the ultimate curation of expansive vinyl, CDs and cassette offerings HERE.

Madonna sums up her new record best by quoting the first few lines of her song, One Step Away, “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold: A ritualistic space where movement replaces language.”

Madonna adds, “When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto”:

We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies. These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect

—with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and

connecting to a community of like-minded people.

Sound, light, and vibration

Reshape our perceptions

Pulling us into a trance-like state.

The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it.

Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.

Eli Roth presents ICE CREAM MAN, and today we get a new Teaser! In theatres August 7, 2026 via Elevation Pictures!

Directed by: Eli Roth
Starring: Ari Millen, Benjamin Byron Davis, Karen Cliche, Dylan Hawco, and Sarah Abbott

An idyllic summer town descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.

TOHO and GKIDS, the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor that was acquired by TOHO in 2024, revealed on stage at CinemaCon the first teaser for GODZILLA MINUS ZERO. Director Takashi Yamazaki took to the CinemaCon stage at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this morning, presenting for the first time footage for the highly anticipated new film, and additionally confirming that the film is the first-ever Japanese production to be Filmed For IMAX.

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO picks up in 1949, two years after the tumultuous events of Godzilla Minus One, and continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity. Additionally confirmed out of CinemaCon, Ryunosuke Kamiki, the hero who faced Godzilla’s terror in Godzilla Minus One, returns as Koichi Shikishima, and is joined by Minami Hamabe as Noriko Oishi, who miraculously survived Godzilla’s first attack on Tokyo.

On returning to his role, Ryunosuke Kamiki stated:

“I am beyond happy to be able to participate in a film set two years after Godzilla Minus One, which is one of the most important works of my life. I also feel proud to have been able to work with Director Takashi Yamazaki and everyone on the team once again. The pressure of participating in a Godzilla work loved by so many people remains the same as in the previous film, but I have done my absolute best so that everyone who watches it, and everyone who loves Godzilla, can enjoy it.”

With gratitude for returning to Director Yamazaki’s Godzilla universe, Minami Hamabe stated:

“Following the previous film, I am grateful to be able to exist in the world of Godzilla Minus One as Noriko. My heart is already racing with excitement to share this grand moment with everyone as soon as possible, and see Godzilla Minus Zero in theaters soon. Since this work will be released in Japan and the U.S. around the same time, I am very happy to be able to share Godzilla’s shocking return not only with people in Japan but also with those in America. I pray that this work will also be one that everyone can enjoy and love very much.”

In addition to his on-stage comments, Director Takashi Yamazaki notes to fans:

“See you at the movie theater! “

As a project Filmed For IMAX, GODZILLA MINUS ZERO was shot with high-definition digital cameras certified by IMAX, and optimized in sound and imagery unique to IMAX screens. Fans can look forward to seeing Godzilla presented to all new terrifying heights, making GODZILLA MINUS ZERO in a true cinematic event not to be missed.

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO is the highly anticipated new film from Director Takashi Yamazaki, following his critically-acclaimed Godzilla Minus One. That landmark film is the highest recorded grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film, earning more than $116 million worldwide and winning Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy AwardsⓇ, becoming the first Asian film to take home the award. TOHO will release GODZILLA MINUS ZERO theatrically in Japan on Tuesday, November 3, with GKIDS set to launch a wide theatrical release across North America beginning Friday, November 6, 2026.

The release date of November 3 holds a special significance in Godzilla’s storied legacy, marking the date of the original theatrical release of Godzilla in 1954. Now, 72 years after the birth of the iconic creature, and three years after the global success of Godzilla Minus One (released in Japan November 3, 2023), GODZILLA MINUS ZERO is set to continue the monster’s undeniable legacy, making its debut on Japan’s Godzilla Day 2026. Additionally, the near-simultaneous release in Japan and North America marks the first time in the history of the Japan-produced Godzilla series that such a rollout will take place. Cineplex Pictures will support GKIDS with the Canadian rollout on November 6, and release dates for additional territories will be announced at a later date.

While plot details for GODZILLA MINUS ZERO remain tightly under wraps, Oscar-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki returns as Director, Screenwriter and VFX lead in his new film starring the King of the Monsters. Produced by Toho Studios and ROBOT, with VFX from SHIROGUMI Inc., the film is currently in production.

GODZILLA MINUS ZERO marks GKIDS’ second stewardship of a Godzilla franchise film from TOHO for North American release, following TOHO’s acquisition of GKIDS in 2024. Last year, GKIDS spearheaded a new 4K remaster and theatrical re-release of TOHO’s globally acclaimed Shin Godzilla, directed by Hideaki Anno and co-directed by Shinji Higuchi–creators of the cult-classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion–introducing the landmark 2016 film to a new generation of audiences outside of Japan. Notably, Shin Godzilla held the record as the highest-grossing Japan-produced entry in the franchise for seven years, earning $78 million worldwide until it was surpassed by Godzilla Minus One in 2023.

About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the “animation is film” movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. GKIDS represents the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai (Your Name., Weathering With You), Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress), Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers), Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Wolf Children), and serves as the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.

Upcoming theatrical releases include the highly anticipated Godzilla Minus Zero, the follow up to director Takashi Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One; and Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the latest Aardman feature in the beloved Oscar-nominated film series. In addition to the Oscar-nominated films Kokuho and Little Amélie and the Character of Rain, recent theatrical releases are the box office hit Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic Angel’s Egg, and the critically acclaimed All You Need Is Kill, alongside groundbreaking television series such as Dan Da Dan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Arcane: League of Legends. @GKIDSFilms

Today, Prime Video announced the renewal of Young Sherlock, starring Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After series) as Sherlock Holmes. From visionary director Guy Ritchie, Young Sherlock is an irreverent, action-packed mystery that charts the legendary origin story of the world’s greatest detective. All eight episodes of Season One are available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“Young Sherlock has that rare magic—millions of fans around the world aren’t just watching a detective story, they’re falling in love with the origin of an icon,” said Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “Guy Ritchie and Matthew Parkhill have cracked the code on making Sherlock’s early years feel fresh, dangerous, and utterly addictive, and have introduced a compelling take on James Moriarty that sets the stage for what’s to come. We can’t wait to see where they take him next in Season Two.”

Guy Ritchie will return to direct the first episode of the second season. Through its first 28 days of release, Young Sherlock reached 45 million viewers, and ranks among the top 10 Prime Original Seasons all-time. The series hit number 1 in over 95 countries worldwide, with 63% of its audience coming from international markets and an outsize performance in the U.K., India, and Germany. The Season One trailer reached 223 million views in its first seven days, breaking a record as the most-watched series trailer ever in that time frame for Prime Video. Season One was quickly Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it “Sensational” (Variety), a “Masterpiece” (Screen Rant), and “Stunning” (The Wrap).

About Season One: When a charismatic, youthfully defiant Sherlock Holmes meets none other than James Moriarty, he finds himself dragged into a murder investigation that threatens his liberty. Sherlock’s first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy, leading to an explosive showdown that alters the course of his life forever. Unfolding in a vibrant Victorian England and adventuring abroad, the series exposes the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who is yet to evolve into Baker Street’s most renowned resident.

Season One of Young Sherlock also starred Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time), Zine Tseng (3 Body Problem), Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), Natascha McElhone (Halo), Max Irons (Condor) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech).

Guy Ritchie serves as an executive producer and will return as a director in Season Two to direct the first episode of the season. The series is created for television and executive produced by showrunner Matthew Parkhill with executive producers Marc Resteghini, Dhana Rivera Gilbert, Simon Maxwell, Ivan Atkinson, Simon Kelton, Colin Wilson, Harriet Creelman, and co-executive producers Steve Thompson and James Dormer. Motive Pictures leads physical production for Young Sherlock.

About Prime Video

Prime Video is a one-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one application available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can find their favourite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports, including Prime Monday Night Hockey – also Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Fallout, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, The Boys, and Roadhouse; licensed fan favourite Vampire Diaries; exclusive entertainment such as Prime Monday Night Hockey, ONE Championship; and programming from channels such as Sportsnet, Paramount+, Crave, Citytv+, STARZ, AMC+, Super Channel, BritBox, Hayu, STACKTV, a multi-channel service featuring 16 top-tier networks (Global, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, The HISTORY® Channel, Adult Swim, Lifetime, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, Treehouse, YTV, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD), via Prime Video Channels add-on subscriptions. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters such as Barbie and Oppenheimer, via the Prime Video Store. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favourite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.primevideo.com

The Blue Mountains (April 15, 2026) – The BLUE MOUNTAIN FILM + MEDIA FESTIVAL (BMFM) is pleased to announce the fifth edition of the Festival where mountain culture meets the silver screen with award-winning films from Canada and around the world, with 33 films representing 16 countries.

BMFM 2026 opens with Opening Night Spotlight: DANCING ON THE ELEPHANT, a Canadian comedy-drama about two friends (Sheila McCarthy, Mary Walsh) who attempt to break out of a retirement home, forging a life-changing bond that leads to one last, unforgettable adventure. The film is directed by Julia Neill and Jacob Z. Smith, adapted from a stage play of the same name by Lisa Hagen. The film’s star Sheila McCarthy will be in attendance for the introduction/Q&A, along with other cast and crew.

The Saturday Night Feature: Film Screening + After Party (May 30) showcases Nick Davis’s exuberant documentary YOU HAD TO BE THERE: HOW THE TORONTO GODSPELL IGNITED THE COMEDY REVOLUTION, SPREAD LOVE & OVERALLS, AND CREATED A COMMUNITY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (IN A CANADIAN KIND OF WAY) about the legendary 1972 Toronto production of the musical Godspell, which launched many illustrious careers. One of the original cast members, screen and theatre legend Jayne Eastwood, will be in attendance for the post-screening Q&A.

BMFM 2026 will also set the stage for two films making world premieres. Matthew Poitras’ THE BRUCE PENINSULA is about two half-brothers who meet for the first time after the death of their estranged father and embark on a road trip across Northern Ontario to spread his ashes. THE NORTHMEN WAY: A LACROSSE STORY explores and celebrates the legacy and phenomenon of how Orangeville became a lacrosse powerhouse. Both local films will have film teams participating in in-person Q&As following their screenings.

South Georgian Bay’s students will have an opportunity to see Kid Koala’s animated feature SPACE CADET on the big screen as part of the school screening program, engaging the students about the craft of filmmaking and the power of storytelling. The students will have the chance to bring their questions to head of story-animator-production designer Lillian Chan. Adapted from Kid Koala’s graphic novel of the same name, SPACE CADET is about a young astronaut and her guardian robot which explores grief, loss and love across generations.

“My programming associates and I are extremely pleased to help make the festival’s fifth year the most extraordinary yet!” says Jason Gorber, BMFM Director of Film Programming. “With thirty-three films from across the planet, including documentaries, dramas, comedies, and classics, we are once again bringing the best of Canadian and world cinema to the beautiful Blue Mountains. Many screenings will have in-person or pre-recorded Q&As, and we are there at every showing to encourage our engaged audience members to continue the conversation long after the credits roll, and share our passion for these movies.”

The highly anticipated BMFM Creative Forum is also a part of the Festival’s fifth edition. It is an intimate, high-impact, face-to-face gathering where creators connect directly with buyers, funders, commissioners, distributors and key decision-makers. The Creative Forum is about accelerating the projects that get to the screen with direct industry access. Some highlights include Fireside Chats with Bell Media Executives and CBC Executives, clear-eyed looks at where opportunities are emerging across scripted and unscripted content. Pitch & Pour is part competition, part networking, with participants delivering quick and compelling pitches while the audience makes connections. The winner receives $35K+ in prizing of goods and services from Urban Post and Sunbelt. Mountain View is BMFM’s elevator pitch with stakeholders while riding up Blue Mountain in a gondola.

THE BLUE MOUNTAIN FILM + MEDIA FESTIVAL 2026 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Narrative:
3670
Dir. Joonho Park; South Korea
A North Korean defector explores Seoul’s queer scene in this groundbreaking first feature.

AKASHI
Dir. Mayumi Yoshida; Canada
A multigenerational tale of love and loss, told through the eyes of a Canadian artist returning home to Japan to confront long-buried family secrets.

BÁITE
Dir. Ruán Magan; Ireland
A 1970s-set moody crime drama wrapped in the warmth of cozy Irish charm.

BOOKENDS
Dir. Mike Doyle; USA
An aspiring author moves back with his grandparents following a bad break-up and must confront his Holocaust-survivor grandfather’s cognitive decline.
*Canadian premiere

CALLE MÁLAGA
Dir. Maryam Touzani; Morocco/France/Spain
Spanish screen icon Carmen Maura stars as a senior who rediscovers love while resisting her daughter’s plan to sell the family home.

FATHER
Dir. Tereza Nvotová; Slovakia/Czech Republic/Poland
A hectic day at work has devastating consequences in this riveting family drama.

GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS
Dir. David Wain; USA
After a woman poses an innocent question to her fiancé, she finds herself on a madcap mission to sleep with Jon Hamm.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Dir. Sara Goher; Egypt
An eight-year-old girl in Cairo works overtime to give her friend the perfect birthday.
*Canadian premiere

HERCULES FALLING
Dir. Christian Bonke; Denmark
A moving, memorable film about a soldier’s most challenging mission: to heal his mind after the trauma of conflict.
*North American premiere

LATE SHIFT
Dir. Petra Volpe; Switzerland/Germany
A thrilling drama set in a hospital where a nurse must do the near impossible: juggling her many duties when a simple mistake can easily lead to deadly consequences.

LITTLE LORRAINE
Dir. Andy Hines; Canada
Based on an incredible true story, a desperate miner in a struggling Cape Breton village finds himself part of an international cocaine smuggling operation.

SIRĀT
Dir. Oliver Laxe; Spain/France
A worried father traverses the Moroccan desert with his young son, following a trail of underground raves in search of his missing daughter.

THE BRUCE PENINSULA
Dir. Matthew Poitras; Canada
Two half-brothers struggle to connect on a picturesque road trip in remembrance of their late father.
Post-screening Q&A with the film team.
*World premiere

THE LAST VIKING
Dir. Anders Thomas Jensen; Denmark/Sweden
After his delusional brother (Mads Mikkelsen) becomes the only link to hidden loot, an ex-con embraces the fantasy and stages a surreal Beatles reunion to reclaim his fortune.

TUNER
Dir. Daniel Roher; USA/Canada
A piano tuner is drawn into a world of criminality in Oscar winner (and friend of the festival!) Daniel Roher’s fiction film debut.

Documentary:
A LIFE ILLUMINATED
Dir. Tasha Van Zandt; USA
Follow marine biologist Dr. Edie Widder as she explores the depths of the ocean to uncover its most luminous of secrets.

BLACK ZOMBIE
Dir. Maya Annik Bedward; Canada
Black Zombie traces the origins of the zombie from Haitian Vodou to the big screen.

CLAN OF THE PAINTED LADY
Dir. Jennifer Chiu; Canada
A delicious, ambitious film tracing one family’s journey, how their Hakka culture has been shaped by the communities around them, and how one can hold onto traditions while finding new places to call home.
Q&A with director Jennifer Chiu in attendance.

COOKIE QUEENS
Dir. Alysa Nahmias; USA
Ambitious Girl Scouts embark on a rite of passage that proves they’re tough cookies.
*Canadian premiere

GIMME TRUTH
Dir. Brad Abrahams, Simon Ennis; Canada
A sometimes chilling, sometimes darkly-comical look at the world of conspiracies and how to avoid succumbing to their lure.

KING HAMLET
Dir. Elvira Lind; USA/Denmark
Oscar Isaac reimagines Shakespeare’s Hamlet while preparing for another role: being a father.
*Canadian premiere

NEWPORT & THE GREAT FOLK DREAM
Dir. Robert Gordon; USA
This music doc celebrates the epic era of Newport Folk Festival during the mid-1960s, where legends gathered and transformed a generation.
*Canadian premiere

PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN
Dir. Dayna Goldfine, Daniel Geller; USA/UK
An intimate and entertaining portrait of Peter Asher, musical artist, producer, manager, and record company executive.
*Canadian premiere

SWEET STӦRY
Dir. Sarah Justine Kerruish, Matthew Maude; USA
An American pastry chef visits a remote café in Sweden and whips up a recipe for cultural exchange.
*Canadian premiere

THE ART OF ADVENTURE
Dir. Alison Reid; Canada
Painter Robert Bateman and biologist/filmmaker Bristol Foster look back on a world tour that inspired their work as artists.
Q&A with director Alison Reid following the screenings on May 28 and 31.

THE BALLOONISTS
Dir. John Dower; UK
Touch the sky in this thrilling adventure about two aeronauts and their historic balloon trip around the world.

THE EYES OF GHANA
Dir. Ben Proudfoot; USA
Veteran filmmaker Chris Hesse receives a loving portrait in this cinematic biography from two-time Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot.

THE NORTHMEN WAY: A LACROSSE STORY
Dir. Zack Thompson, Jake Thompson; Canada
In Orangeville, Ontario, a community built around lacrosse traces the sport’s Indigenous roots and enduring legacy through the story of the Northmen.
Post-screening Q&A with the film team and participants.
*World premiere

SCHOOL SCREENING – Narrative
SPACE CADET
Dir. Kid Koala; Canada
Kid Koala’s tale of a young girl’s ambitions of astro voyages and her robotic guardian is this year’s selection for BMFM’s Annual Student Screening Series.
In-person Q&A with animator, production designer, and head of story Lillian Chan.

Opening Night Spotlight
DANCING ON THE ELEPHANT
Dir. Julia Neill, Jacob Z. Smith; Canada
Two women in a retirement home forge a life-changing bond that leads to one last, unforgettable adventure.
Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival’s Opening Night Spotlight with star Sheila McCarthy.

Saturday Night Feature
YOU HAD TO BE THERE: HOW THE TORONTO GODSPELL IGNITED THE COMEDY REVOLUTION, SPREAD LOVE & OVERALLS, AND CREATED A COMMUNITY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (IN A CANADIAN KIND OF WAY)
Dir. Nick Davis; USA/Canada
A rapturous reunion of the 1972 Toronto Godspell cast celebrates the half-century long legacy of a musical that launched the careers of many comedy greats.
Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival’s Saturday Night Feature with participant Jayne Eastwood in attendance.

Special Complimentary Outdoor Screenings in the Blue Mountain Village:

THE PRINCESS BRIDE
Dir. Rob Reiner; USA
Rob Reiner’s masterful film filled with romance, action, betrayal, courage and the occasional kiss screens for free outdoors at Blue Mountain.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND
Dir. Martha Kehoe, Joan Tosoni; Canada
Celebrating the musical legacy of the legendary performer Gordon Lightfoot.

For more information – bluemtnfilmfest.ca