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.

 

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.

In Toronto, in addition to the Gordon Pinsent and Jeff Barnaby tributes, the following events will be taking place:
– 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

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.

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.

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) .

Visit canfilmday.ca for more information in the lead-up to April 19. You can also find more on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram: @CanFilmDay and #CanFilmDay.

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.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.