September | Festival Season is Here!

We’re back this festival season with some top picks from upcoming film festivals across the country. Be sure to visit to bottom of this page to learn more about each festival featured on this list, browse their full program guides, and to take advantage of the great programming and special events they have to offer!

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE MUSIC VIDEO – ‘WE GO BACK’

Directors: Winston Hacking & Michael Enzbrunner

A fresh collage smoothie.

BERNIE LANGILLE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BERNIE LANGILLE

BERNIE LANGILLE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BERNIE LANGILLE

Director: Jackie Torrens

Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened To Bernie Langille is a story about a grandson trying to find out what happened to his grandfather and namesake, a military corporal who died in 1968 under mysterious circumstances. Through the use of miniature sets, we are able to travel back to 1968 as Bernie pieces together fragments of the bizarre tale that has kept his family emotionally frozen in time.

THE FLYING SAILOR

THE FLYING SAILOR

Directors: Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

“As we go up, we go down.” The Flying Sailor is based on the Halifax explosion of 1917 when two ships collided in the Halifax Harbour causing the largest accidental explosion in history. Among the tragic stories of the disaster is the remarkable account of a sailor who, blown skyward from the deck of a British cargo steamer, flew 4 km before landing completely unharmed, but naked except for his boots.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Director: Jason Karman

When basketball-obsessed Aleks moves in across the street, Asian-Canadian teen Jake finds himself trying out for the basketball team to get his attention in this classic coming-of-age drama set in the digital age.

THE ICE WALK

THE ICE WALK

Director: Eliza Knockwood

The Ice Walk exposes the little told story of the treacherous journey across the ice from mainland Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Lennox Island reserve, where the Mi’kmaq people were forced to settle. In 2021, the Lennox Island first nation and ally settlers hosted a reconciliation event, but as community Elders share their stories and traumatic memories, they question whether the Ice Walk is just another performative reconciliation event or if the settler community is really ready to commit to change.

*Short Film Competition 2, screening on September 22 and 24, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario

*Available online and in-person in Calgary, Albterta

**Also screening in-person on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 7:00 PM AT in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Tickets available here.

***In-person screening on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at the Lunenburg Opera House in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, also available to stream online in Canada & USA

*Shorts: Canada and The World 3 in Halifax, Nova Scotia

**Short Film Competition 1, screening on September 21 and 24, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario **Short Cuts Programme 1 in Ottawa, Ontario

*Opening night screening in Toronto on October 12, 2022

*Also screening in-person on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 4:00 PM AT in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Tickets available here.

PATTERN

Director: Ivan Madeira

It’s 5 months after the death of Curtis’ partner Mia due to post-birth complications. As the initial fog of grief starts to lift, he is at a crossroads of how he wants to raise their daughter Salome.

REEL BLACK: OUR FILM STORIES

REEL BLACK: OUR FILM STORIES

Directors: Ayan Tani, Émeraude Domingos Mbuku, and Tristen Sutherland

In an exploration of Black Canadian filmmaking, emerging filmmakers Christian Anderson and Ajahnis Charley quickly discover the realities of the industry. Through insights from veteran filmmakers such as Claire Prieto-Fuller, the young filmmakers learn that sometimes if you aren’t given a seat at the table, you have to make your own.

SCRAP

SCRAP

Director: Stacey Tenenbaum

Scrap is a love letter to the things we use in our daily lives.  This cinematic documentary tells the stories of people who each have a connection to objects that have reached their ‘end of life’.  Together their stories convey a deeper environmental and human message about our relationship to things, the sadness we feel at their eventual loss, and the joy we can find in giving them a new purpose.

SOFT

SOFT

Director: Joseph Amenta

Three adolescent queer friends become enraptured in the Toronto nightlife scene over a formative summer break, before a missing persons pulls them back to the reality they had chosen to leave behind.

THIS PLACE

THIS PLACE

Director: V.T. Nayani

A coming-of-adulthood story about two women falling in love for the first time. As they grow closer, each is forced to confront their families in unexpected ways. Through multiple legacies complicated by love and loss, this film follows those living in the liminal space between cultures.

*Available online and in-person in Montreal, Quebec

*Screening as part of the All Ah We Is One Family series on September 15, 2022 at 7:30 PM ET in Toronto, Ontario. Canadian Screen Award nominee Fanmi will also be featured during this series. Learn more about screening films online here.

*In-person screening in Luenburg, Nova Scotia and available to stream online in Canada

*Available online and in-person in both Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario

*Available online and in-person in Toronto, Ontario

Get Involved!

Spooky season is right around the corner, and we want to know what Canadian frightful film helps you get into the festive spirit! Share your favourites in the form below and your pick could be featured in our October Where to Watch collection. Happy Halloween-ing!

Looking for more?

Check out the list below for more information about each film festival featured on this list and their available programming!

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 22-October 2, 2022

The 23rd Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) will welcome over 35,000 guests in-cinema and at home to screenings of 200+ features and short films, spotlighting stand-out stories and providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The full film lineup is available here, and single tickets are now on sale.

CARIBBEANTALES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 7-23, 2022

The 2022 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) includes in-person screenings, talkbacks and Q&As taking place from September 7-23 in Toronto, Ontario. Films will be available virtually after September 23rd on CaribbeanTales-TV. Get your festival pass here, and find the full festival line-up at the link below.

CINÉFEST SUDBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 17-25, 2022

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival is returning to full capacity in September 2022.

Film screenings will be featured prominently in-theatre in Sudbury, Ontario, with a limited accompaniment in the virtual space. Passes are available here and full programming schedule listed at the link below.

EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 22-October 1, 2022

The Edmonton Film Festival will be hosting an in-person festival with many films available through Eventive at the same time. Keep an eye on their website to stay up-to-date with their festival and programming announcements!

FIN ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 15-22, 2022

FIN Atlantic International Film Festival is returning for 2022 with in-person screenings, events, and Q&As in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and online screenings accessible throughout Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia & PEI) via FIN Stream. Learn more about the festival here, and view the full program guide at the link below.

LUNENBURG DOC FEST

September 22-28, 2022

The 2022 Lunenburg Doc Fest comes with even greater viewing flexibility: see films on the big screen in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, or on your favourite device at home. Find their full film guide at the link below and check back for their on-site schedule, to be announced soon. Their How-to-Watch Guide for accessing films is available here.

MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

September 20-25, 2022

The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) will feature screenings and special events held fully in-person in Montréal, Québec, and online. You can find the full program of films and individual tickets at the link below, or get your full festival pass here.

OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL

September 21-25, 2022

The 2022 Ottawa International Animation Festival will feature screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment held in-person in Ottawa, Ontario. Find their full schedule at the link below, and their wide range of festival passes are available here. Be sure to also check out the schedule for The Animation Conference (TAC), being held from September 21-23.

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 8-18, 2022

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2022 will include in-person events and screenings in Toronto, Ontario, with digital film screenings available across Canada starting September 13. Learn more about the festival here, and click the link below to browse the wide range of films and programming available this year.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 29-October 9, 2022

Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) 2022 will include screenings, talks, conferences, performances, and other unique events in Vancouver, British Columbia. Tickets and passes are available here, and their festival programming has just been announced! Check the link below for their program guide.

Upcoming.

FESTIVAL DE NOUVEAU CINÉMA

October 5-16, 2022

REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL

October 12-18, 2022

Passes available here.