Returning on April 17th, 2024, National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay), presented by REEL CANADA, will shine a Spotlight on Canadian films so distinct, delightful, eccentric, and profoundly human that even the most advanced Artificial Intelligence couldnât conceive them!
The 2024 programming spotlight, Films That A.I. Could Never Make, reaffirms that no algorithm can embody the essence, or conjure the creativity inherent in a Canadian film.
The beating heart of CanFilmDay celebrations are the more than 1,000 screenings, in every province and territory, and in more than 39 countries around the world and hundreds of offerings on broadcast and streaming services for every human to enjoy. As previously announced, we are honoured that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada is once again the viceregal patron of National Canadian Film Day.
âWith more and more of our lives governed by algorithms, it seems more important than ever to highlight the originality, passion and, well, humanity that infuses the best of Canadian cinema,â said Artistic Director Sharon Corder.
Programming highlights across the country include:
Premieres & Sneak Peeks
An exciting lineup of pre-release screenings, giving audiences nationwide a chance to see the top new offerings before their official release. Films include:
Ally Pankiwâs debut feature, I Used to Be Funny, in a cross-Canada sneak preview ahead of its June 7th release date on more than 20 screens thanks to the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE).
The red carpet premiere of The King Tide in St. Johnâs, NL, featuring members of the cast and director Christian Sparkes.
In Toronto, the World premiere of Caitlin Cronenbergâs film Humane, with special guest stars Jay Baruchel and Emily Hampshire.
A sneak preview of the new Highball.TV film Mother of All Shows at the Stirling Festival Theatre in Stirling, ON, where the film was shot with director Melissa DâAgostino.
In Vancouver, a sneak of The Great Salish Heist, Darrell Dennisâ hilarious new no-budget Indigenous caper flick.
In Memoriam
Three major figures have sadly passed since our last CanFilmDay. They will be honoured with tributes spotlighting their indelible legacies.
To honour the passing of acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer, also a CanFilmDay board member and beloved friend, join us for a special screening of Akillaâs Escape, and a discussion with filmmakers he inspired, hosted in Toronto by Regent Park Film Festival and BIPOC Film & TV.
VIFF will host a rare presentation of the biographic documentary The Life & Times of Norman Jewison to honour the passing of the legendary director.
Two major partners â Vancouver International Film Festival and the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa â will pay tribute to the late pioneer Don Shebib, with screenings of his groundbreaking feature, Goinâ Down the Road. A live Q&A with Jayne Eastwood and DGC Ontario chair Annie Bradley will follow the CFI screening, his friend and colleague.
Film Festival Partner Screenings
In Toronto, writer/director Matt Johnson joins The Canadian Film Festival for a special screening of his smash-hit comedy Blackberry, which recently earned a record-setting 17 Canadian Screen Award nominations.
The Vancouver International Film Festival is going all out for CanFilmDay! Programming includes a special 30th-anniversary screening of Double Happiness with director Mina Shum, a tribute to the late iconic director Norman Jewison, and more.
The Oakville Festival of Film and Art presents Barneyâs Version, the adaptation of the beloved Mordecai Richler novel, featuring a discussion of the film with producer Robert Lantos hosted by Daniel Richler.
Reelworld Screen Institute presents a special 25th-anniversary screening of the landmark film Another Planet, the first Canadian feature film directed by a Black woman, followed by a Q&A with the filmâs director, Christene Browne. This screening is proudly supported by Ontario Creates.
imagineNATIVE presents a special screening of their 2023 Audience Choice Award winner, CafeÌ Daughter, followed by a Q&A with director Shelley Niro (Mohawk), all happening in her home community.
35th-anniversary screening of ROADKILL by Bruce McDonald, followed by a Q&A with co-writer & star Don McKellar, at the recently opened Redwood Theatre in Toronto
A 25th-anniversary screening of the landmark film Another Planet, the first Canadian feature film directed by a Black woman, followed by a Q&A with the filmâs director, Christene Browne. (Toronto)
TIFF presents a special screening of Philippe Falardeauâs breakout hit, La moitieÌ gauche du frigo (The Left-Hand Side of the Fridge). The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with Philippe Falardeau about the film.
Calgary Underground Film Festival presents a rare 35mm presentation of the classic Alberta-shot horror film Ghostkeeper, with a Q&A with director Jim Makichuk, screenwriter Doug Macleod, story consultant Dave Makichuk and the lead of the film, Murray Ord.
Plus, these highlights:
A partnership with Global Affairs Canada will bring Canadian films to 39 countries worldwide! Special events range in size from the Argentinian premiere of Intercepted at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival with the director in attendance to a charity screening of Tu te souviendras de moi benefiting the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
An estimated 20,000 high school students from more than 200 schools from every province and territory will engage in RCtv, our annual interactive livestream event. This year, journalist Kelly Boutsalis (Mohawk) will host a discussion with Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) to discuss her film, Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair, and will facilitate a nationwide student conversation reflecting on Canadaâs legacy of Indian Residential Schools and pathways towards reconciliation.
Friends of Canadian Media presents a virtual screening of Sarah Polleyâs documentary Stories We Tell, followed by a conversation between REEL CANADA Executive Director, Jack Blum, and Marla Boltman, Executive Director of Friends of Canadian Media.
Communities across the country that are going all-out for CanFilmDay include:
The First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines, ON, is screening Anne of Green Gables with raspberry cordial-themed mocktails, PEI photo props and musical enhancements.
La Maison des artistes visuels in Winnipeg, MB, is screening Ru with a local professor of Vietnamese history.
In Slocan, BC, the local Legion is screening two films and holding a silent auction.
The Milton Public Library in Milton, ON is screening Canadian films throughout the week of April 15 â 19.
In Annapolis Royal, NS, the Kingâs Theatre Society is showing five films on April 17, with refreshments available.
A companion workshop on Indigenous traditional arts will run before a screening of Bones of Crows in the Jasper, AB Community Habitat for the Arts.
More than two dozen major broadcast and streaming partners will be scheduling Canadian programming in honour of CanFilmDay. Click on these links for a complete list of broadcast and streaming partners.
Founding Sponsor Cineplex is providing over two dozen cinema screens across the country. The Landmark Cinema chain is also contributing venues in several communities. Both partners will screen the CanFilmDay promo PSA as part of their pre-show presentations.
Events across Canada and worldwide will feature appearances by special guests including Barry Avrich, Kelly Boutsalis, Christene Brown, Caitlin Cronenberg, Renee Courchene (Anicinabe), Melissa DâAgostino, Atom Egoyan, Philippe Falardeau, Tareq Hadhad, Emily Hampshire, Matt Johnson, Robert Lantos, Jason Loftus, Doug Macleod, Dave Makichuk, Jim Makichuk, Doug Macleod, Alison Murray, Murray Ord, Alanis Obomsawin, Matthew Rankin, Mina Shum, Gail Singer, Christian Sparkes, EÌric Tessier and Vinay Virmani.
If youâd like to host a free CanFilmDay event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.
CanFilmDay is a huge endeavour thatâs made possible through the efforts of dedicated sponsors and partners who continue to support us year after year, including Telefilm Canada, CBC, Hollywood Suite, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, Ontario Arts Council, RBC Foundation, DGC Ontario, Ontario Creates, CMPA, ACTRA, AFBS 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 17. You can also find us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.
Jack Blum and Sharon Corder, Executive and Artistic Director of REEL CANADA, are available for interviews, as well as Mina Shum, Colm Feore, Veronica Tennant, Jayne Eastwood, and Jake (Akillaâs Escape) Yanowski.
April 22, 2020 is NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY and Canada’s top Film Distributors are joining forces to celebrate their date with a list of specially-curated content. The below Films will be made available on services like Apple TV, Telus, Cineplex Store, Rogers and Bell starting this Wednesday.
Elevation Pictures
HYENA ROAD, directed by Paul Gross, starring Rossif Sutherland and Allan Hawco
INDIAN HORSE, directed by Stephen Campanelli, starring Forrest Goodluck and Sladen Peltier
ROOM, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, starring Academy Award-winner Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay
RUN THIS TOWN, directed by Ricky Tollman, starring Mena Massoud, Nina Dobrev and Ben Platt
THE SONG OF NAMES, directed by François Girard, starring Tim Roth and Clive Owen
eOne
BIRTHMARKED, directed by Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais, starring Matthew Goode, Toni Collette and Suzanne Clément
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS, directed by Lone Scherfig, starring Zoe Kazan, Andrea Riseborough, Tahar Rahim, Jay Baruchel and Bill Nighy
THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S SPIVET, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Helena Bonham Carter, Judy Davis and Callum Keith Rennie
THE 9th LIFE OF LOUIS DRAX, directed by Alexandre Aja, starring Jamie Dornan, Sarah Gadon and Aaron Paul
LevelFILM
BANG BANG BABY, directed by Jeffrey St. Jules, starring Jane Levy, Justin Chatwin, Peter Stormare and Kristin Bruun
DIM THE FLUORESCENTS, directed by Daniel Warth, starring Claire Armstrong and Naomi Skwarna
EDGE OF WINTER, directed by Rob Connolly, starring Tom Holland and Joel Kinnaman
SUCK IT UP, directed by Jordan Canning, starring Grace Glowicki and Erin Margurite Carter
THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN, directed by Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-MĂĄijĂĄ Tailfeathers, starring Elle-MĂĄijĂĄ Tailfeathers, Violet Nelson, Charlie Hannah, and Barbara Eve Harris
MK2 Mile End
AND THE BIRDS RAINED DOWN (IL PLEUVAIT DES OISEAUX) directed by Louise Archambault
Mongrel Media
WATER, directed by Deepa Mehta, starring Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Sarala
THE GRIZZLIES, directed by Miranda de Pencier, starring Ben Schnetzer, Will Sasso, Paul Nutarariaq, Anna Lambe,Tantoo Cardinal, Emerald MacDonald and Booboo Stewart
MAUDIE, directed by Aisling Walsh, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke
BROOKLYN, directed by John Crowley, starring Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson and Emory Cohen, with Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters
ANTHROPOCENE, directed by Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky. Narrated by: Alicia Vikander
Pacific Northwest Pictures
CANADIAN STRAIN, written and directed by Geordie Sabbagh and starring Jess Salgueiro
DRONE, written and directed by Jason Bourque and starring Sean Bean
FALLS AROUND HER, written and directed by Darlene Naponse and starring Tantoo Cardinal
LAVENDER, directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly and written by Colin Frizzell and Ed Gass-Donnelly and starring Abbie Cornish with music by Sarah Neufel and Colin Stetson
BENâS AT HOME, directed by Mars Horodyski and written by Dan Abramovici and Mars Horodyski
In addition, it’s been announced that Ethan Hawke, Jay Baruchel, Atom Egoyan, Colm Feore, Mina Shum, Philippe Falardeau, Megan Follows, Don McKellar and Sandra Oh will partake in a livestream Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from 6-10 p.m. EST on:
Let’s celebrate the amazing Film that’s being made in our Country! Use the Hashtag #CANFILMDAY to share what you’re planning to watch!
(Photo/video credit: TeleFilm Canada)
Brought to you by Cineplex Entertainment and CBC, NCFD, NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY takes place across Canada Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in 182 communities.
The Festival brings togethers cinema lovers, with a patriotic twist with access to over 350 public events/screenings including new releases like Borealis, Sleeping Giant, Across the Line and The Saver, to recent favourites and classics from the likes of eOne Films and Elevation Pictures.
Offerings also will be available through Bell Media, Shaw Media, Hollywood Suite, Sundance Channel, Corus, shomi and APTN. You also can access offerings online via websites like CBC.CA, NFB.CA, CFCCREATES.COM, CFMDC.ORG and MUBI.COM.
Highlights include the following:
TORONTO: 40-plus events big and small across the city, including a special screening of THE GRAND SEDUCTION at the CBC Atrium (presented by filmmaker Don McKellar); a 35th anniversary screening of David Cronenbergâs SCANNERS at the Royal Cinema with the filmâs star, Stephen Lack, in attendance; screenings of STRANGE BREW and ITâS ALL GONE PETE TONG at TIFF Bell Lightbox; and a screening of MY INTERNSHIP IN CANADA presented by Samara Canada and Regent Park Film Festival, followed by a panel discussion featuring Buzzfeed Canadaâs Elamin Abdelmahmoud, MPP Michael Mantha and emerging filmmaker Amita Zamaan.
MONTREAL: 50 high schools connected to a LIVE nationwide Q&A with stars Colm Feore and Patrick Huard from Heritage Regional High School in Chambly after watching the hit comedy classic BON COP BAD COP. Five screening events are happening throughout the city, including a screening of LĂOLO at NOMADlive headquarters, with actor Maxime Collin set to attend.
VANCOUVER: 12 events across Vancouver, including screenings at UBC and Broadway Youth Resource Centre; a screening of SABAH at the CBC presented by the Vancouver Asian Film Festival and explorASIAN; and an entire day of great Canadian films will be presented at the VanCity Theatre by The Vancouver International Film Festival, including a red carpet screening of Nadia Litzâs THE PEOPLE GARDEN with filmmakers in attendance
CALGARY: A screening of GINGER SNAPS, with director John Fawcett and actors Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins set to attend, presented by Calgary Underground Film Festival. The SCENE Program is also presenting a special screening exclusively for SCENE members, who will vote for the Canadian movie of their choice.
HALIFAX: A screening of LOVE THAT BOY with director Andrea Dorfman set to attend, presented by the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival and Out East Festival.
Full list of events here.
(Photo credit: D Films)
Communities participating in this historic Event include:
Vancouver, BC
Victoria, BC
Whistler, BC
Lethbridge, AB
Jasper, AB
Calgary, AB
Indian Head, SK
Regina, SK
Saskatoon, SK
Yorkton, SK
Flin Flon, MB
Glenlawn, MB
Winnipeg, MB
Ottawa, ON
Toronto, ON
St Catherine’s, ON
Peterborough, ON
Sault Ste Marie, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
Waterloo, ON
Montreal, PQ
Fredericton, NB
Saint John, NB
Charlottetown, PEI
St. John’s, NFLD
Halifax, NS
Yellowknife, NWT
Iqaluit, NU
Dawson City, YT
Whitehorse, YT
Films screening this year include the likes of Good Cop, Bad Cop, Passchendaele, The Sweet Hereafter, Meatballs and Decline of the American.
For a complete Lineup and Tickets, click here!
(Photo credit: Telefilm Canada)
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