Toronto 
The 13th annual National Canadian Film Day will take place on April 15, 2026, with organizers positioning this year’s edition as a moment for collective reflection and community.
Maurice the Moose, National Canadian Film Day Mascot
Presented by REEL CANADA, the 2026 event is titled The Elbows Linked Edition and will feature a group of guest programmers described as a “Dream Team” of Canadian cultural figures. Each was invited to recommend one Canadian film for audiences nationwide. The curated list is available through the festival’s official website.
The guest programmers include writers, filmmakers, actors, critics, and broadcasters such as Margaret Atwood, Sarah Polley, Rick Mercer, Neve Campbell, Atom Egoyan, Colm Feore, Danis Goulet, Deepa Mehta, Guy Maddin, Mary Walsh, and Anna Lambe, along with 37 additional contributors from across the country.
Organizers confirmed that Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon, has again granted viceregal patronage to National Canadian Film Day. An address from the Governor General will be published on the CanFilmDay website.
The event is expected to include approximately 2,000 free in-person screenings in communities across Canada, as well as events in dozens of other countries. Broadcasters and streaming platforms will also participate by programming Canadian films for at-home viewing. Specific titles, venues, and guest details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Community groups and organizations can register now to host free screenings. Additional information and updates will be released leading up to April 15.
