National Canadian Film Day Returns on April 20, 2022 to Celebrate Indigenous Voices
Free movies all day. Everywhere.
TORONTO – Feb 14, 2022 – REEL CANADA is pleased to announce that the ninth annual National Canadian Film Day (NCFD) will take place coast to coast to coast on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. With fingers and toes crossed, we have invited our hundreds of screening partners across the country to once again host live in-person events wherever local public health guidelines permit. And for those who are not yet at ease out in public (or who just prefer the couch) there will be plenty of online and broadcast events as well.
For this year’s programming Spotlight, we are excited to highlight the explosion of remarkable cinema by Indigenous filmmakers working in Canada. “Celebrating Indigenous Voices” will be presented in association with imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival, the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. The spotlight will reflect a broad spectrum of styles and genres including: dramas, comedies, documentaries, coming-of-age stories, horror, and science fiction. NCFD activities will also include a live-streamed panel featuring high profile Indigenous film professionals, providing audiences with insight into this profusion of talent and storytelling, and what it takes to bring these stories to the screen.
“We at imagineNATIVE firmly believe that Indigenous stories are meant for all, and to that end, we are excited to co-present a selection of compelling films, told from an Indigenous lens. Support of Indigenous narrative sovereignty is at the core of the work we do. imagineNATIVE is proud to be a part of this initiative with REEL CANADA as we continue to reaffirm the importance of showcasing this work and as we work toward a future of authentic representation on our screens,” said Naomi Johnson (Kanyen’kehà:ka/Mohawk), Executive Director, imagineNATIVE
“The level of filmmaking from Indigenous artists has absolutely soared in recent years and we are honoured to have the opportunity to bring this work to our grassroots National Canadian Film Day audiences,” said Sharon Corder, Artistic Director of REEL CANADA and National Canadian Film Day.
As usual, there will also be a wealth of programming for all audiences:
- Our annual streaming event for new Canadians and English-language learners
- A tribute to the late Jean-Marc Vallée
- Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada
- Our annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students
- Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres, retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more
- 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 NCFD event for your community, visit https://www.canfilmday.ca/events/register and sign up today.
NCFD is a huge 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 2022, including Telefilm Canada, Netflix, Encore+, CBC, Bell Media, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, CMPA and more. The complete list can be found on the sponsor page of our website.
Visit www.canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 20. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @CanFilmDay, and #CanFilmDay.
For high-res images: https://bit.ly/NCFD2022
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 (NCFD) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members.
For media inquiries,
Ally LaMere-Shedden
Route 504 PR
