Today is the day to celebrate Canadian cinema! As part of National Canadian Film Day, more than 1,000 film screenings are happening across Canada and in 39 countries worldwide. This year’s theme is “Films That A.I. Could Never Make”, spotlighting the creativity, humanity, and unique vision of filmmakers in our country.
“With 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,” says Artistic Director Sharon Corder.
Since 2014, CanFilmDay has highlighted the achievements of filmmakers from coast to coast to coast, with programming that allows Canadian films to reach new audiences. With so many events, including many for free, it’s a great opportunity to discover a new favourite film or creator from close to home.
Liz Duff and Haley Robinson share their passion for Canadian films every day. As ambassadors for MADE | NOUS, they shine a spotlight on Canadian film and TV to millions of followers on social media and are building an engaged community that genuinely loves Canadian media. Alongside fellow ambassador Andrian Makhnachov, they have reached more than 4 million people across their social platforms.
“There are lots of people excited about Canadian film,” says Duff. “When we talk about Canadian stories, there are people that care and want to have conversations and recommend movies and shows and get more people involved. We’re out here being loud about it!”
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From big wins for our filmmakers to more diverse stories receiving a platform, they’re excited about what Canadian film has to offer right now.
“We have been so focused on American media and certain stories that are always being told over and over again. Now, I’m starting to see a lot more stories being told and different perspectives being seen,” says Robinson.
“Canadian filmmakers are at the top of the game and raising the bar, not just in Canada but across the international film scene,” adds Duff, citing recent wins for directors like Celine Song and Sarah Polley, and Canadian films like To Kill a Tiger that have received global recognition.
Whether Duff and Robinson are interviewing Canadian stars on a red carpet, attending film premieres across the country, or recommending hidden gems, their content is reaching a new generation who is not only interested in consuming Canadian media, but is seeing a path to telling their own stories.
“Every time we put content out that shows a story from any corner of Canada, it’s connecting that to people that didn’t know that it was a path for them, that didn’t know that their stories can be told that way,” says Duff.
Getting involved is what National Canadian Film Day is all about. It’s an excellent chance to connect with other film lovers in your community and hear from people making waves in the industry right now. With screenings in local theatres in every province and territory, as well as hundreds of offerings on broadcast and streaming platforms, there are many ways to get involved and take in a Canadian film today.
In Toronto alone, 30 special screenings are happening in venues across the city. Watch impactful films like Beans and Scarborough at a local library, catch the charming romance Stay the Night, or choose from two screenings of Ru, a moving recent release we can’t get enough of.
Audiences will also be treated to a look at what’s new in Canadian cinema. Today is the world premiere of Caitlin Cronenberg’s debut feature Humane, a dystopian horror starring Emily Hampshire. Plus, 20 theatres will be showing a sneak peek of Ally Pankiw’s upcoming film I Used To Be Funny starring Rachel Sennott, ahead of its release on June 7.
See the full lineup of Canadian films screening today in Toronto and across the country on the CanFilmDay website.
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