CanFilmDay: Watch Free Movies on April 17th at Venues Across Canada

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

The National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) will return on April 17, 2024, with a special focus on the distinctiveness of Canadian cinema under the theme “Films That A.I. Could Never Make.”

The event highlights the unique qualities of Canadian filmmaking that go beyond what algorithms could replicate, showcasing 50 films that exemplify passion and creativity.

Over 1,000 screenings are planned across every Canadian province and territory, extending to more than 39 countries globally. These include premiers and sneak peeks of notable films such as Ally Pankiw’s “I Used to Be Funny” and Christian Sparkes’ “The King Tide,” along with the world premiere of Caitlin Cronenberg’s “Humane” in Toronto.

In addition to film screenings, the festival will also pay homage to the legacies of filmmakers Charles Officer, Norman Jewison, and Don Shebib, with tributes and special screenings planned in their honor. The festival will feature a range of activities, including discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and various film-related events across the country.

Participating organizations like the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Canadian Film Institute are organizing significant screenings, including a 30th-anniversary showing of “Double Happiness” and a rare presentation of “The Life & Times of Norman Jewison.”

Furthermore, educational events will engage students nationwide, and special screenings will be held in various community venues, including the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre and La Maison des artistes visuels.

The festival will be supported by numerous broadcast and streaming partners, highlighting Canadian content to a broader audience.

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. You can also watch movies at select Cineplex and Landmark Cinemas.

Programming highlights across the country include:

Premieres & Sneak Peeks

An exciting lineup of pre-release screenings, giving audiences nationwide a chance to see the top new offerings before their official release. Films include:

Ally Pankiw’s debut feature, I Used to Be Funny, in a cross-Canada sneak preview ahead of its June 7th release date on more than 20 screens thanks to the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE).
The red carpet premiere of The King Tide in St. John’s, NL, featuring members of the cast and director Christian Sparkes.
In Toronto, the World premiere of Caitlin Cronenberg’s film Humane, with special guest stars Jay Baruchel and Emily Hampshire.
A sneak preview of the new Highball.TV film Mother of All Shows at the Stirling Festival Theatre in Stirling, ON, where the film was shot. With director Melissa D’Agostino.
In Vancouver, a sneak of The Great Salish Heist, Darrell Dennis’ hilarious new no-budget Indigenous caper flick.

In Memoriam

Three major figures have sadly passed since our last CanFilmDay. They will be honoured with tributes spotlighting their indelible legacies.

To honour the passing of acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer, also a CanFilmDay board member and beloved friend, join us for a special screening of Akilla’s Escape, and a discussion with filmmakers he inspired, hosted in Toronto by Regent Park Film Festival and BIPOC Film & TV.
VIFF will host a rare presentation of the biographic documentary The Life & Times of Norman Jewison to honour the passing of the legendary director.
Two major events – by the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa in partnership with the Director’s Guild of Canada in Ontario – will pay tribute to the late pioneer Don Shebib, with screenings of his groundbreaking feature, Goin’ Down the Road. A live Q&A with Jayne Eastwood and DGC Ontario chair Annie Bradley, his friend and colleague, will follow the CFI screening in Ottawa.

Film Festival Partner Screenings

In Toronto, writer/director Matt Johnson joins The Canadian Film Festival for a special screening of his smash-hit comedy Blackberry, which recently earned a record-setting 17 Canadian Screen Award nominations.
The Vancouver International Film Festival is going all out for CanFilmDay! Programming includes a special 30th-anniversary screening of Double Happiness with director Mina Shum, a tribute to the late iconic director Norman Jewison, and more.
The Oakville Festival of Film and Art presents Barney’s Version, the adaptation of the beloved Mordecai Richler novel, featuring a discussion of the film with producer Robert Lantos hosted by Daniel Richler.
Reelworld Screen Institute presents a special 25th-anniversary screening of the landmark film Another Planet, the first Canadian feature film directed by a Black woman, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Christene Browne. This screening is proudly supported by Ontario Creates.
imagineNATIVE presents a special screening of their 2023 Audience Choice Award winner, Café Daughter, followed by a Q&A with director Shelley Niro (Mohawk), all happening in her home community.
35th-anniversary screening of ROADKILL by Bruce McDonald, followed by a Q&A with co-writer & star Don McKellar, at the recently opened Redwood Theatre in Toronto.
TIFF presents a special screening of Philippe Falardeau’s breakout hit, La moitié gauche du frigo (The Left-Hand Side of the Fridge). The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with Philippe Falardeau about the film.
Calgary Underground Film Festival presents a rare 35mm presentation of the classic Alberta-shot horror film Ghostkeeper, with a Q&A with director Jim Makichuk, screenwriter Doug Macleod, story consultant Dave Makichuk and the lead of the film, Murray Ord.

When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Where: Across Canada (multiple movies in various communities)

How Much: Free

More Information