Author: Kerry Kupecz

World’s biggest press release for the world’s biggest film festival

TORONTO – April 1, 2025 – On April 16, National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay), will unite the nation in a massive, celebratory, elbows-up explosion of Canadian film.

Returning for the twelfth year, CanFilmDay will present nearly 2,000 FREE screenings in every province and territory, and in more than 43 countries around the world, in addition to hundreds of offerings on broadcast and streaming services for all to enjoy. 

As popular as CanFilmDay has been in recent years, the current swell of cultural pride has given rise to a significant increase in participation, with registrations running 60% higher than last year for the past several months.

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

Programming highlights across the country include:

Elbows Up for Canadian Culture 

A Town Hall-style event will take place in Toronto, featuring Yannick Bisson, Don McKellar, Mary Walsh, and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot/Sámi). Hosted by Ali Hassan, the special guests will share the Canadian films that have impacted them and engage in a dialogue about what Canadian culture and stories mean to us. 

In an atmosphere of tariffs and trade wars, we’ve seen a groundswell of interest in these conversations from the film industry and the country at large, and are thrilled to have such a thoughtful and accomplished group of Canadian artists sharing their views with us and with you.

Premieres & Sneak Peeks

We have an exciting lineup of film premieres and sneak peeks, giving audiences nationwide a chance to see the next big hit before its release. Films include:

• It Feeds, a pulse-pounding new horror film, will premiere nationwide at 20+ cinemas thanks to Black Fawn Films and the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE). In Toronto, the screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s cast and crew, including director Chad Archibald, and stars Shawn Ashmore (The Rookie, X-Men) and Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga, Rogue).
• The Westdale Theatre in Hamilton will show a sneak preview of the compelling drama The Players, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Sarah Galea-Davis, and stars Eric Johnson and Stefani Kimber.
• The comedy Please, After You will have a sneak preview in Mississauga, along with a Q&A with the film’s stars Neema Nazeri and Kris Siddiqi.
• In Vancouver, a preview screening of the mind-bending new thriller Kryptic will be followed by a Q&A with cast and crew, including producer Amber Ripley and star Jeff Gladstone.
• The Canada-Ukraine Foundation is partnering with Gambade Films for an online sneak preview of the inspiring documentary Doors of War, which will be accompanied by an introduction by co-directors Taras Lesiuk and Annick Sheedy McLellan. 
• The National Screen Institute will premiere the short The Difference Between Us, in a virtual event featuring a Q&A with the film’s director Dabi Anele. This film was part of an NSI training programme for refugees and newcomers in Manitoba.

Sometimes More is More

This year, several partners are expanding their Canadian film celebration into a full week of programming. 

Vancouver International Film Festival is celebrating Canadian Film Week, with 18 features, including six Vancouver premieres and four new films from BC filmmakers, most of whom will join for Q&As. On April 16, VIFF will present a 40th anniversary screening of the beloved classic My American Cousin, featuring a Q&A with director Sandy Wilson.  Also, Velcrow Ripper and Cari Green will present the 20th anniversary screening of ScaredSacred in a heartfelt tribute to much-loved industry leader  Tracey Friesen. 

• Yukon Film Society in Whitehorse will host 11 screenings throughout the week.  
• Cinecenta cinema in Victoria, BC, will also present 11 screenings. 
• The historic Gem Theatre in Grand Forks, BC, is planning four “CanFilmWeek” screenings and a live show about their community.
• Aeolian Hall Musical Arts Association in London, ON is also making it CanFilmWeek, with eight screenings scheduled.

Film Festival Partner Screenings

Over 50 film festivals are participating in CanFilmDay this year. Here are just a few highlights: 

• Edmonton International Film Festival is proud to showcase the inspiring documentary Ice Queens, featuring a Q&A with director Damon Kwame Mason. 
• A 40th anniversary screening of Crime Wave will be presented by Calgary Underground Film Festival, featuring an in-person Q&A with the film’s writer-director John Paizs.
• In Toronto, TIFF welcomes former CEO Piers Handling to host a post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Deepa Mehta after a presentation of the 4K restoration of her debut feature, Sam & Me.  
• The Toronto Latin American Film Festival presents the new drama about undocumented workers, Sin Papeles (Undocumented), featuring a Q&A with director Christian de la Cortina and producer Vanessa Caceres.
• The Bay of Blood Film Festival in North Bay, ON, is thrilled to feature a screening of the hilarious new slasher flick, Massacre at Femur Creek, followed by a post-screening Q&A with the film’s writer-director, Kyle Hytonen.
• Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival will show the horror comedy The Last Video Store, with director Cody Kennedy, producer Greg Jeffs and star Vanessa Adams in attendance. 
• Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival in Halifax, NS, will present Welcome, a brand new psychological thriller from director Jevon Boreland. Boreland will join stars Emidio Lopes and Shailene Garnett for a Q&A after the film.
• Saint John’s Women’s International Film Festival is pleased to welcome Tasha Hubbard (Cree) for a screening and discussion of her uplifting activist documentary Singing Back the Buffalo.
• The Canada China International Film Festival is presenting a double feature with a matinee of the family-friendly fantasy Tia and Piujuq, including a recorded Q&A with director Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk), as well as a screening of the acclaimed drama Nadia, Butterfly with director Pascal Plante in attendance for a Q&A.

Anniversaries 

2025 marks a major anniversary for many incredible Canadian films, and we have special events across the country to showcase them. In addition to the anniversary screenings listed above, dozens of screenings of anniversary titles are taking place, including a few that feature filmmakers, stars and other guests: 

• ReelWorld Film Festival, Director’s Guild of Canada and the City of Toronto are partnering on a 30th anniversary screening of Rude, with director Clement Virgo and producer Damon D’Oliveira in attendance.
• Toronto’s Revue Cinema hosts a 25th anniversary screening of Waydowntown on 35mm, with a post-screening Q&A with director Gary Burns and star Fab Filippo (creator of CBCs Sort Of).
• Toronto Jewish Film Festival hosts an anniversary presentation of the award-winning historical epic Sunshine, with a post-screening Q&A with producer Robert Lantos.
• Future of Film Showcase in Toronto celebrates the 20th anniversary of C.R.A.Z.Y. with a screening and Q&A with actor Pierre-Luc Brillant.
• Ottawa Film Office and Canadian Film Institute celebrate the 25th anniversary of La moitié gauche du frigo (The Left-Hand Side of the Fridge) along with a Q&A with director Philippe Falardeau, as well as presenting the 40th anniversary of My American Cousin, featuring an in-person Q&A with producer Peter O’Brian.

Indigenous Programming

There will be over 70 screenings of Indigenous-made films, plus 350 high schools participating in our Indigenous Realities livestream. Here, an estimated 15,000 students will engage in a live, nationwide conversation with Anna Lambe (Inuk), Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk) and Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Inuk), the incredible team behind The Grizzlies – and the new hit comedy North of North. The event will be hosted by former executive and artistic director of imagineNATIVE, Jason Ryle (Anishinaabe). 

French-Language Programming

Over 200 French-language screenings are scheduled around the world, including nearly 100 community screenings in Quebec. In collaboration with Mediafilm, independent theatres across Quebec are presenting over a dozen screenings of three exciting new Québecois titles, La petite et le vieux, Maurice, and Vil et Misérable, with many including special guest Q&As. Programming nationwide also includes over 20 screenings each of recent hits Une Langue Universelle (Universal Language) and Bergers (Shepherds). 

International Canadian Film Day 

A partnership with Global Affairs Canada will bring nearly 100 Canadian film screenings to 43 countries worldwide! 

Notable events include: a screening of Paying For It with director Sook-Yin Lee in attendance, at the BAFICI film festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and a 60th anniversary celebration of Canada’s diplomatic relationships with Singapore hosted by the High Commission of Canada, which will screen Singing Back the Buffalo at a local theatre. France is embracing CanFilmDay in a big way – we’re expecting no fewer than 11 screenings this year, in eight cities! 

In Schools

Over 20,000 students are participating, from 500 schools in every single province and territory, most notably by watching RCtv: Indigenous Realities, our annual interactive livestream for schools (see above). Special programming available for Kindergarten through to Grade 12 and CEGEP, including special lesson plans focused on “Canadians and their stories”. 

In Communities

Communities across the country that are going all-out for CanFilmDay include: 

• Two outdoor screenings are planned, with the Creston Valley Film Society in Creston Valley, BC, and Victoria Downtown Residents Association in Victoria, BC – perhaps the only corner of the country where it will be warm enough to do so! 
• Red Deer Polytech’s Film Production program in Red Deer, AB, is partnering with the Red Deer Public Library and Lilearner High School to host a full-day event, using the CanFilmDay website to help students collaborate and learn how to host an event. Four screenings will take place, focusing on themes of our Something to Believe In programming spotlight: big dreams, community and family, fighting for your beliefs, the power of art, and resilience. Local schools will attend daytime events, while evening screenings will be tailored to the community at large. 
• Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum in Iqaluit, NU, has invited the local female hockey association to participate in their screening of Ice Queens.
• Brampton Arts Organization in Brampton, ON, will show a short film programme of local filmmakers’ work with guests in attendance, and a networking event at a nearby restaurant to follow. 
• The Côte St-Luc Public Library is hosting director Barry Avrich and producer Mark Selby for a special screening of their documentary Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella.
• Point Pelee National Park near Leamington, ON, and the Gananoque Legion in Gananoque ON, are both ordering chocolates from Peace By Chocolate to complement their screenings of the film, and the Legion will host a fundraiser for their veteran’s fund. 
• The Meaford Public Library plans to invite the local Junior Hockey Team, the Meaford Knights, to their screening of Score: A Hockey Musical. 

On Broadcast and Streaming

Hundreds of Canadian films will be programmed on every major broadcaster and streaming service, including Hollywood Suite, Crave, Super Ecran, Corus, Super Channel, APTN, CBC, CHCH, OUTtv, Blue Ant Media, WildBrain, GameTV, Netflix, CBC Gem, NFB, The Roku Channel, APTN Lumi, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Kanopy, Cineplex Store, Microsoft Store, TVO, Apple TV+, Hoopla, Shudder, Mubi, Highball.tv, TFO and Viva.

Guests and Sponsors

Filmmakers, stars, and industry professionals participating in CanFilmDay include: Vanessa Adams, Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Inuk), Chad Archibald, Shawn Ashmore, Dabi Anele, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk), Barry Avrich, Liane Balaban, Brigitte Berman, Yannick Bisson, Jevon Boreland, Pierre-Luc Brillant, Gary Burns, Vanessa Caceres, Christian de la Cortina, Damon D’Oliveira, Sophie Deraspe, Philippe Falardeau, Colm Feore, Niv Fichman, Fab Filippo, Sarah Galea-Davis, Shailene Garnett, Jeff Gladstone, Cari Green, Ashley Greene, Piers Handling, Ali Hassan, Tasha Hubbard (Cree), Kyle Hytonen, Eric Johnson, Peter Keleghan, Cody Kennedy, Stefani Kimber, Anna Lambe (Inuk), Robert Lantos, Sook-Yin Lee, Taras Lesiuk, Emidio Lopes, Peter Lynch, Damon Kwame Mason, Don McKellar, Loreena McKennit, Deepa Mehta, Neema Nazeri, Peter O’Brian, John Paizs, Eric Peterson, David Phillips, Amber Ripley, Velcrow Ripper, Patricia Rozema, Jason Ryle (Anishinaabe), Mark Selby, Annick Sheedy McLellan, Kris Siddiqi, Ryan Singh, former MP Rathika Sitsabaiesean, Kendra Terpenning, Sugith Varughese, Clement Virgo, Vinay Virmani, Mary Walsh, and Sandy Wilson, and more.

For more detailed information about our extensive list of special guests and programming highlights, go to our website.

Founding Sponsor Cineplex is providing 33 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 for the month of April. 

CanFilmDay is a huge endeavour that’s made possible through the efforts of dedicated sponsors and partners who continue to support us year after year, including Telefilm Canada, Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, CBC, Hollywood Suite, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council,DGC Ontario, Extreme Reach, Branded Cities, and more. The complete list can be found on the sponsor page of our website. 

If you’d like to host a free CanFilmDay 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.

Jack Blum and Sharon Corder, Executive and Artistic Director of REEL CANADA, are available for interviews, as well as Mina Shum, Yannick Bisson, Don McKellar, Mary Walsh and Colm Feore.

Click here for high-res images

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

Media Contact

---

Searching for hope in 2025?

We’ve got films to inspire you!

TORONTO – January 14, 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 F.R. Crawley and Bruce Nyznik, 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.

Click here for high-res images

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

Media Contact

---

Eric watched 78 films – we lost count of how much popcorn he consumed!

TORONTO – September 24, 2024 – How many films did you see at the Toronto International Film Festival? While movie buffs are comparing lists and catching up on their sleep, Eric Tisch, Programming and National Canadian Film Day Manager at REEL CANADA, is crossing the Ts and dotting the Is on his world record application. After watching 78 feature films (including all of the Canadian selections) at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Eric is set to earn a Guinness World Record for Most Films Watched at a Film Festival.

Tisch, 29, watched 78 films over the eleven day festival, and documented the feat with selfies and witness statements. “I watched 63 last year, so this seemed like the next logical step,” Tisch declared (after a good night’s sleep). “And yes, I do remember every film!” TIFF has certified his list, and now it’s heading off to Guinness for a final certification.

The REEL CANADA team supported Eric in his accomplishment, providing a TIFF industry pass, as well as snacks, meals and video updates on his progress. You can watch the chronicle of his journey on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at @canfilmday. “We are incredibly proud of Eric’s achievement, and honestly, our minds are still all a little blown,” said Sharon Corder, Artistic Director of REEL CANADA. “Our mission is to promote Canadian film, so we’re all film lovers, but 78 films is another level!”

TIFF has reviewed and certified Tisch’s attendance at the 78 screenings, and everything is being submitted to Guinness for final verification. What’s next for the King of Movies? More films! According to Tisch, “I love to watch films, that’s why I did this, so I’m excited to catch up on the films that I didn’t get to watch!”

You can see a full list of all the films Tisch watched on the National Canadian Film Day letterboxd account here. The next National Canadian Film Day will be April 16, 2025. You can find more information at canfilmday.ca or @canfilmday on all social media platforms.

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

Media Contact

Kerry Kupecz
REEL CANADA
[email protected]

Details of Hundreds of Live Screening Events and Guest Appearances in Every Province and Territory

TORONTO – April 6, 2023 – National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay), presented by REEL CANADA, is back 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. 

For our tenth anniversary, there was no way to narrow our programming down to a single theme. So, we threw the doors open and created an All You Can Watch Buffet of 100 enticing films. Canadians responded with a big appetite, and there’s a feast of offerings across the country. 

In addition to the national partnerships and tributes that we have already announced, the heart of CanFilmDay celebrations are the more than 1300 events taking place live in hundreds of communities in every province and territory, and around the world. For a full listing of all screenings, visit canfilmday.ca/attend-an-event.

A few programming highlights in Canada: 

Nationwide

As part of the previously announced tribute to the late Mi’qmaw filmmaker Jeff Barnaby, CBC GEM will run Barnaby’s brilliant and provocative film Blood Quantum ad-free from 9am until 9pm ET. A video tribute to Barnaby will be available on the REEL CANADA YouTube page. 

As part of the previously announced tribute to Gordon Pinsent, and in partnership with the Canadian content advocacy group FRIENDS, his masterwork John and the Missus will stream nationwide on the CanFilmDay platform, courtesy of the producer, Peter O’Brian.

In St. John’s

The St. John’s Women’s International Film Festival will host a virtual presentation of Rosie, preceded by a pre-recorded introduction by director Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis).

In Halifax

Subjects of Desire, followed by a virtual Q&A with director Jennifer Holness will be presented by the Emerging Lens Film Festival.

In Quebec

Screenings of Chien Blanc featuring a pre-recorded interview with director Anaïs Barbeau Lavalette, will be screened in independent cinemas in ten communities across Quebec in partnership with Médiafilm.

In Ottawa

• A screening at the ByTowne of John and the Missus, presented by the Canadian Film Institute as part of our Gordon Pinsent Tribute. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with Pinsent’s longtime friend, Canadian screen icon Mary Walsh.

• A special screening of The Grizzlies, with star Anna Lambe (Inuk) in attendance, will be hosted by Global Affairs Canada for the international diplomatic corps.

In Toronto, in addition to the Gordon Pinsent and Jeff Barnaby tributes previously announced:

• Directing icon Deepa Mehta will present her adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children in partnership with PEN Canada in support of the recently wounded author, who has long been a champion of freedom of expression. Moderated by Johanna Schneller.

• A special 20th anniversary 35mm screening of the award-winning Love, Sex and Eating the Bones with director Sudz Sutherland in attendance will be hosted by the Canadian Film Festival, and supported by DGC Ontario. 

• A screening for new Canadians and English-language learners of the perennially popular hockey comedy Breakaway will be presented in partnership with TIFF, Ontario Creates, and Uninterrupted Canada, with writer, producer and star Vinay Virmani and several cast members in attendance.
• A screening of To Kill A Tiger hosted by Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, with filmmaker Nisha Pahuja in attendance.

• A screening of Scarborough with co-directors Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson in attendance, will be presented by Regent Park Film Festival

In Manitoba

The new film The Tomahawk will premiere in The Pas, with  director Steven Bignell and producer Sturla Gunnarsson in attendance, at an event presented  by the National Screen Institute.

In Calgary

A 35th anniversary screening of Comic Book Confidential with filmmaker Ron Mann in attendance will be co-presented by The Calgary Underground Film Festival and Calgary International Film Festival.

In Yellowknife

A screening of Clement Virgo’s acclaimed new feature Brother, presented by Western Arctic Moving Pictures.

In Vancouver

Home Truths: an exciting month-long programme hosted by the Vancouver International Film Festival that will culminate in special screenings on CanFilmDay of the classic John and the Missus with producer Peter O’Brien in attendance, as well as “The Great Canadian Short Film Show”, a presentation of short films from some of Canada’s greatest filmmakers including Atom Egoyan, David Cronenberg, Denis Villeneuve and more.

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival is presenting Riceboy Sleeps, winner of TIFF’s Best Canadian Film Award, with a pre-recorded interview with director Anthony Shim.

In Victoria

A screening of Victoria native Atom Egoyan’s classic Exotica, with a recorded introduction by the internationally acclaimed director, will be presented by the Victoria Film Festival.

… and hundreds more screenings in every province and territory in Canada.

National Educational Programming:

Thousands of high school students from over 100 schools from every province and territory will engage in RCtv, an interactive livestream event featuring the film Breakaway with Vinay Virmani and cast member Noureen DeWulf. 

Other events across Canada and worldwide will feature appearances by special guests including Trevor Anderson (Before I Change My Mind), David Bezmozgis (Charlotte), Mark Critch (Gordon Pinsent Tribute), Tracey Deer (Beans), Danis Goulet (Night Raiders), Zoe Leigh Hopkins (Run Woman Run), Chandler Levack (I Like Movies), Don McKellar (Last Night), Richie Mehta (Siddharth, I’ll Follow You Down), Moze Mossanen (You Are Here: A Come From Away Story), , Tahir Rana (Charlotte), Rich Willamson (Scarborough), Clement Virgo (Brother), and Andrea Warner (Buffy Sainte Marie: Carry it On) .

This year, we lost a beloved, longtime member of the REEL CANADA family. Ravi Srinivasan worked with us from  2011, and was the senior programmer for National Canadian Film Day, as well as a TIFF programmer and founder of the South Western International Film Festival (SWIFF). We are dedicating the 10th CanFilmDay to his memory. His favourite Canadian film, Stories We Tell, will be presented  in Toronto by SWIFF, and will be available to watch nationwide on our streaming platform, preceded by a pre-recorded video tribute. 

As previously announced, more than two dozen major broadcast and streaming partners will be scheduling Canadian programming in honour of CanFilmDay.  A complete list of broadcast and streaming partners can be found at canfilmday.ca/films.

CanFilmDay is a huge endeavour that’s made possible through the efforts of dedicated sponsors and partners. 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, Colm Feore, Vinay Virmani, Clement Virgo, Sudz Sutherland, and Chandler Levack as well as Jack Blum and Sharon Corder, Executive and Artistic Director of REEL CANADA, are available for interviews. 

For high-res images: bit.ly/CanFilmDay2023

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

---

Governor General returns as Honorary Patron

TORONTO – April 3, 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. 

For high-res images: bit.ly/CanFilmDay2023

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

For media inquiries,

Ally LaMere-Shedden

Route 504 PR

[email protected]

---

TORONTO – January 19, 2023 – On April 19, 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.

For high-res images: bit.ly/CanFilmDay2023 

About REEL CANADA

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.

Media Contact

---