Ottawa Canadian Film Festival

The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival (OCanFilmFest) is a cultural, not-for-profit organization that celebrates Canadian film. Our mission is grounded in the belief that Canadian film and filmmakers are distinctive and vital to our country’s culture and the development of the local economy. This artist-run organization is composed of a volunteer board of directors and jury members.

From November 2nd-4th, the spotlight will be on the Ottawa community, as the “curtains rise” on a cinematic experience that celebrates the brilliant and inspiring work of local filmmakers, as well as other proud Canadian filmmakers.

From comedy, to drama, to animation, this year’s film festival program showcases 18 Canadian-made films (five by Ottawa filmmakers), spanning many different styles and genres. OCan’s 2023 film lineup includes:

Lunch at the Rideau [ Documentary ] Jane Gurr, Kent Newson, Ottawa, ON
“The research for this film was a revelation, uncovering layers of rich history and profound meaning way beyond what, on the surface, seemed like a simple lunch counter. We knew it would be a wonderful story.” — Jane Gurr
Impulse Control [ Short | Narrative | Comedy ] Mikey Tachuk, Sarah Marks, Ottawa, ON
“During the production of Impulse Control, we learned that a wacky concept may not always be enough to justify and carry a film. That said, a funny idea for a project, and thoughtful characters who experience growth, do not need to be mutually exclusive.” — Sarah Marks and Mikey Tachuk
Life After… [ Short | Narrative ] Stephanie Lalonde, Ottawa, ON
“My motivation behind making this film was knowing people who have faced a loss to suicide. Having experienced the fear dealing with my own suicidal teen, I can’t and don’t want to ever know the grief of the other side. I told my son that if he kills himself then he kills me too. He hung on to that.There is so little said about the pain and suffering those left behind have to deal with. I felt a light needed to be shed on that side of the subject. Conversations about mental health and prevention is a big topic now. Let’s break the silence on the reality that exists in life after..” — Stephanie Lalonde
A Simple Mix-Up [ Short | Narrative ] Maissa Houri, Ottawa, ON
“I love filmmaking and the creative process behind it. The most important part of filmmaking is gathering a great team and having fun because a director is nothing without the team behind them. My team was no exception – they are all so talented. And just a side note, a lot of emerging filmmakers want to make something serious but I just want to make people laugh and break some filmmaking rules.” — Maissa Houri
Broken Waters / Brise glace [ Feature-length | Narrative ] Karolyne Natasha, Ottawa, ON
“I was told to pick a language and stick to it. Hearing that took the wind right out of my sails. That’s when I knew -marketing disaster or not- I was going to make a bilingual film or no film at all.” — Karolyne Natasha
and much more.

Who is it for?

All ages

Tickets :

$16.95 – $53.04

Admission Student – $16.95
Admission GA Tickets – $22.60
Festival Pass (all three days) – $53.04

How to get tickets?

Buy online

 

Date: Thursday November 2, 2023 to Saturday November 4, 2023

Thursday November 2, at 7 pm
Lunch at the Rideau [ Documentary ] Jane Gurr, Kent Newson, Ottawa, ON
The Fire Dancer [ Short | Documentary | Dance ] Agnieszka Pajor, Lancelot Burton, Whitehorse, YT
Margot’s Sister (La Soeur de Margot) [ Short | Narrative ] Christine Doyon, Boucherville, QC
Tiny [ Short | Documentary | Stop Motion Animation ] Ritchie Hemphill, Ryan Haché, Victoria, BC
A love letter [ Short | Narrative | Romance | Queer | True Story ] Thaïs Despont, Toronto, ON
RESTE [ Short | Narrative ] Ginger Le Pêcheur, Montreal, QC
Leo & Chester [ Short | Documentary ] Andrea Wing, Golden, BC
Impulse Control [ Short | Narrative | Comedy ] Mikey Tachuk, Sarah Marks, Ottawa, ON
Friday November 3, at 7 pm
The Mess We’re In [ Short | Narrative ] Jamie Lam, Vancouver, BC
The Gentle Waltz [ Short | Experimental ] Yann-Manuel Hernandez, Montreal, QC
IDOL [ Short | Narrative | Puppetry | Poetry | Live Animation ] Kris Fleerackers, Gibsons, BC
Laundry [ Short | Narrative ] Victoria Zubick, Toronto, ON
Life After… [ Short | Narrative ] Stephanie Lalonde, Ottawa, ON
The Trapline [ Short | Documentary ] Andrea Wing, YT
Her Ordinary World [ Short | Documentary ] Samuel Dayomi, Brampton, ON
A Simple Mix-Up [ Short | Narrative ] Maissa Houri, Ottawa, ON
Pen Pals [ Short | Narrative ] Lucas Frison, Regina, SK
Saturday November 4, at 9 pm
Broken Waters / Brise glace [ Feature-length | Narrative ] Karolyne Natasha, Ottawa, ON

Venue & Address

Bytowne Cinema, 325 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5Y4

Wheelchair accessible

Street Parking

Accessible by Public Transport