Tag: Kingston Canadian Film Festival

Posted on in arts, entertainment

Take in the best of Canadian film this Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 16 is National Canadian Film Day, a day to celebrate the best in Canadian film.

As a big fan and regular attendee of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, I can attest that Canadian film is alive and well. I also believe now, more than ever, we must support Canadian arts and films.

There are local events happening across the country and several streaming services are highlighting Canadian films. You can find a list of local screenings near you at canfilmday.ca.

Here are ten great Canadian films to check out this week:

  • The Queen of My Dreams: a young Queer Pakistani-Canadian woman returns to Pakistan for her father’s funeral, learning about her mother’s past in this romantic comedy/drama. My favourite film from last year’s KCCF screenings. Now streaming on Crave, Amazon Prime and Apple TV+
  • The Swearing Jar: I loved this sweet romantic comedy about a high school music teacher who hires a guitar player to play at her husband’s birthday party. Watch on Prime Video.
  • Scarborough: Catherine Hernandez’s poignant novel is brought to life in this captivating film about children growing up in poverty in Scarborough. Now streaming on Paramount Plus.
  • Blackberry: Jay Baruchel portrays CEO Mike Lazaridis in this fascinating tale of the rise and fall of one of the greatest Canadian success stories. Available on CBC Gem, Prime Video and Crave.
  • Shepherds: this year’s opening night feature at the Kingston Canadian Film Festival is a stirring story of a Quebec man who decides to leave big city life behind to become a shepherd in France. Now streaming on Crave.
  • One Week: this 2008 film starring Joshua Jackson follows Ben Tyler who takes a road trip across Canada after being diagnosed with cancer and scored Jackson the Best Actor nod at the 2010 Genie awards. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video or Paramount Plus.
  • Peace by Chocolate: inspired by a true story of a Syrian refugee in Nova Scotia who is torn between his dream of becoming a doctor and his love for making chocolate. Watch free on Plex.
  • Just Friends: while technically not a Canadian film (it was an international production between Canada, US and Germany), this hilarious comedy featuring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris is still one of my favourites and will appeal to every Canadian who loves pond hockey, wintry weather and Christmas. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
  • You are Here: The Come From Away Story: this heartwarming documentary returns to Gander 20 years after this small Newfie town became a safe haven for travellers stranded in the aftermath of 911. The friendships forged will restore your faith in US/Canadian relations.
  • Meatballs: still a Canadian classic, this 1979 film about a bunch of goofy camp counsellors starring Bill Murray will leave you in stitches and chanting, “Spaz, spaz, spaz…”. Watch free on CTV with ads.

This week’s #HappyAct is to support Canadian film. Happy viewing!

Posted on in arts, entertainment

Take in the best in Canadian film

Yesterday, they announced the line-up for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival.

If you’ve never been to this local homegrown festival that features movies and special events that “spark curiousity, ignite discussion and provide a fresh experience of Canadian film”, you’re missing out. It just keeps getting better and better, with screenings in three downtown theatres and other venues with unique live performances.

There are so many things I love about this festival. First, there’s the films themselves. If you’re like me and want to scream every time you see another Marvel or Avengers sequel or prequel or postquel or whatever they’re calling them, the films you’ll see at the KCFF are a refreshing change. They’ll make you laugh, cry and most of all, think.

Over the years, I’ve seen some incredible films, from the insightful and stirring Scarborough about three families in a low income neighbourhood in Toronto, to the drama Norbourg, the true life story of Vincent Lacroix who defrauded investors of millions of dollars in Quebec, to lovely romantic comedies like The Swearing Jar.  

Then there’s the venues and the city itself. The opening night feature film is shown at the Isabel Bader Centre for the performing arts, an amazing venue and The Screening Room in Kingston has done a super job elevating the movie-going experience in an intimate way. The festival is a wonderful excuse to explore downtown Kingston and grab a bite to eat in many of our excellent restaurants.

My favourite part of the festival hands down is the Q&As and guest appearances by the directors, producers, writers and actors. These segments are always fascinating—to see the inner thoughts and workings of the people who bring Canadian film to life and sadly, the barriers and challenges to making films in Canada.  

I’ll be spending the next few days checking out all the screenings, but here are a few you won’t want to miss:

  • The Queen of My Dreams: this year’s festival opener at the Isabel, a moving story about the complicated bonds between a Pakistani mother and her daughter
  • The Movie Man, the story of the Highlands Cinema in Kinmount, Ontario with a bonus short about our local (and now sadly closed) Classic Video store in Kingston
  • Float: a romantic comedy filmed in Tofino, BC
  • The Sadies Stop and Start concert film, followed by a live performance of the Band at the Broom Factory

This week’s #HappyAct is to come to Kingston and support Canadian film by taking in some screenings at the festival.