National Canadian Film Day returns on April 16 with the screening of many films across 43 countries, celebrating the arts of movies by Canadians.
Established in 2014, National Canadian Film Day returns on April 16 to celebrate and connect Canadians to their culture through the art of film. As this exciting day approaches, an estimated 100,000 Canadians will attend live events in every province and territory, alongside 43 countries. Additionally, many screenings will be available for fans at home through broadcasting and streaming services.
Amidst the tariff and trade wars, the Artistic Director Sharon Corder has stated: “In this time, our culture matters and our stories matter – 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.” Co-directors of REEL Canada, Jack Blum and Sharon Corder, had this to say to CGM exclusively, “The fact that the US has gotten all gnarly is difficult certainly – but it’s also a HUGE opportunity for us to embrace our own stuff. Stand up for Canada by Sitting Down! To watch a great Canadian film on CanFilmDay.”
There will be many programs offered during the Canadian Film Day. Highlighting the biggest programs, fans can expect:
- A Town Hall-style event in Toronto – Discussing the Canadian films with Yannick Bisson, Don Mckellar, Mary Walsh, and many more. Hosted by Ali Hassan.
- The O Canada national anthem performed by Jann Aden, an exclusive CanFilmDay video performance premiered across every live screening.
- Lineup of film premieres and sneak peeks, including It Feeds, premiering on CanFilmDay.
- Screening at over 50 film festivals, including VIFF, as they have programmed Canadian Film Week of screening with filmmakers in attendance.
- Screening over 200 French-language films, including nearly 100 in Quebec.
- Screening over 70 Indigenous-made films alongside 350 high schools joining their Indigenous Realities live streams.
- Screening nearly 100 films across 43 countries.
- Hundreds of Canadian films are airing on every major broadcaster and streaming service.
- Cineplex is hosting 33 cinema screenings across Canada alongside the Landmark Cinema chain contributing venues in several communities.
- 60+ filmmakers, stars, and industry professionals join the celebration. Featuring Jann Arden, Alethea Arnaquq Baril (Inuk), Shawn Ashmore, Barry Avrich, Liane Balaban, Pierre-Luc Brillant, Gary Burns, Sophie Deraspe, Philippe Falardeau, Colm Feore, Fab Filippo, Niv Fichman, Tasha Hubbard (Cree), Peter Keleghan, Anna Lambe (Inuk), Robert Lantos, Sook-Yin Lee, Deepa Mehta, Eric Peterson, Patricia Rozema, Clement Virgo, and many more.
CanFilmDay was made possible thanks to their many sponsors and partners who had supported the teams throughout the years. The sponsorships and partners included are Telefilm Canada, CBC, Hollywood Suite, Cineplex, Landmark Cinemas, Ontario Arts Council, RBC Foundation, DGC Ontario, Ontario Creates, CMPA, ACTRA, AFBS, Extreme Reach, Branded Cities, and more that can be viewed on the National Canadian Day Film website.
As film fanatics anticipate National Canadian Film Day, the website has compiled a list of movies for fans to check out in 2025. Some of the big-hitting films fans can check out on April 16 are:
- BlackBerry (2023) – A comedy and drama film about the rise of the BlackBerry smartphone.
- Hey, Victor! (2023) – Twenty-five years after starring in Smoke Signals, Cody Lighting directs and stars in a mockumentary about a fictionalized version of himself making a sequel.
- Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (2024) – A documentary about Jackie Shane, a jazz singer who rose to popularity in the 60s as a Black transgender musician but disappeared from the public eye.
- C.R.A.Z.Y (2005) – A comedy-drama film set in the 60s-70s, following Zac Beaulieu’s life as he comes to terms with his sexual identity.
Time to grab your popcorn and soda, the National Canadian Film Day is on April 16, a one-day celebration showing love to the Canadian filmmakers’ arts. Visit the CanFilmDay website to learn more about the celebration.
