CanFilmDay: Watch Free Movies on April 15th at Venues Across Canada

You can watch free movies at various theatres, libraries and community halls across Canada on Wednesday.

The National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) is back on April 15, and this year it is stretching far beyond the country’s borders.

Organizers say nearly 150 screenings are planned in 49 countries, a 62 per cent jump from last year. At home, the scale is even bigger, with about 2,000 free screenings scheduled across every province and territory.

The theme for 2026 is “Let’s Dream Together,” built around a growing sense of connection both within Canada and internationally. To shape the lineup, a group of 51 well-known Canadians, including Margaret Atwood, Rick Mercer, Sarah Polley and Deepa Mehta, helped curate must-watch recommendations.

There is plenty to choose from. More than 40 premiere and sneak preview screenings are planned, including an early release of “Mile End Kicks.” Audiences will also see over 150 screenings tied to this year’s Canadian Screen Award nominees, including all eight Best Picture contenders.

A tribute to the late actor Graham Greene will take place nationwide, with screenings in his home community of Six Nations. In Calgary, “Hard Core Logo” turns 30 with a three-day retrospective featuring director Bruce McDonald.

Toronto will host a large event hub at the Scotiabank and Carlton theatres, with more than 20 screenings and appearances from guests like Devery Jacobs and Philippe Falardeau.

There is also a digital component. RCtv will stream “Youngblood” to more than 10,000 high school students, followed by a live Q and A with director Hubert Davis and actor Ashton James.

Over 2,000 screenings are planned across every Canadian province and territory, extending to more than 43 countries globally, in addition to hundreds of offerings on broadcast and streaming services for all to enjoy.

National Canadian Film Day

Maurice the Moose, the National Canadian Film Day Mascot/Credit: National Canadian Film Day

What: Watch hundreds of free movies as part of a one-day, coast-to-coast-to-coast celebration of Canadian cinema.

More than two dozen major broadcast and streaming partners will be scheduling Canadian programming in honour of CanFilmDay.

Highlights

A tribute to incomparable Oneida actor the late Graham Greene, with screenings of his work taking place across the country, including at the Woodland Cultural Centre in his home community of Six Nations.
Over 40 film premiere and sneak preview screenings of 11 films, including a pre-release launch of Mile End Kicks in theatres across the country, plus participation from filmmakers and stars such as Chandler Levack, Allan Hawco, Bretten Hannam (L’nu), Robert Bateman, and many others.
30th anniversary screenings of Hard Core Logo across the country, including a three-day retrospective at the Calgary Underground Film Festival with director Bruce McDonald and star Callum Keith Rennie in attendance; and a screening in Toronto with Victoria Beard, Peter Dreimanis, and Thyrone Tommy, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
A two-week Canadian Film Showcase by the Vancouver International Film Festival, with more than 50 screenings, and special guests Carl Bessai, Sook-Yin Lee, and Bruce Sweeney, among many others.
A massive event hub at the Scotiabank and Carlton theatres in downtown Toronto, featuring over 20 screenings, and special guests such as Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), Philippe Falardeau, Sherry White, Colm Feore, 2026 Oscar winner Chris Lavis, and many more.
RCtv, our annual livestream for over 10,000 high school students, will showcase the brand new release Youngblood, and an interactive Q&A with director Hubert Davis and star Ashton James, hosted by programmer Aisha Jamal.
150 international screenings in nearly 50 countries around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and film festivals and cultural organizations worldwide.
Over 150 screenings of 23 of this year’s Canadian Screen Award nominees, including all eight Best Picture nominees.