The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is an annual celebration of the best in Canadian cinema held in Kingston, Ontario. It is the largest stand-alone showcase of feature films from across Canada. The 2017 Kingston Canadian Film Festival will take place March 2-5, downtown Kingston, Ontario.
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival was launched in 2001 by Alex Jansen, who was then studying film at Queen's University. It was a three-day event held at the Screening Room Movie Theater, a two screen repertory cinema which Jansen was managing at the time. The Festival was launched with assistance from Moving Pictures: Canadian Films on Tour (who were replaced by the Toronto International Film Festival Group in 2003). In 2002 the Festival added a second, larger venue on the Queen's University campus, increased the number of screenings substantially and added a fourth day to the event, then becoming the largest stand-alone showcase of feature films from across Canada.
In 2003 the Festival launched its ongoing "Local Filmmaking Initiative" (LFI), a multi-tiered program focused towards nurturing the local film making community, through the City of Kingston's Healthy Community Fund.
In 2004 the Festival added a fourth venue by temporarily re-opening the Princess Court Cinema.
In 2005 Alison Migneault became Co-Director of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. The Festival moved its main venue to the Empire Theatre and added a fifth day to the event.
In 2006 Migneault became full Director of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and Jansen moved into a consulting position. The Festival launched a new French Community Outreach program aimed towards Kingston's sizeable French-speaking population.
In 2007 the Kingston Canadian Film Festival launched its first-ever retrospective series, surrounding the 50th anniversary of film making by acclaimed Canadian Director Allan King.
In 2008 the Kingston Canadian Film Festival stages high school outreach in partnership with Reel Canada.
In 2009 the Festival holds a local short film competition (10 Years, 10 Minutes) and awards $5,000 cash and professional mentorship for a local team to produce a short film to premiere at the 2010 festival.
In 2010 the Kingston Canadian Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, premieres the winner of the 10 Years, 10 Minutes Award and host a special screening of the silent film Carry On Sergeant!
In 2012 the Festival hosts another silent film screening – Back to God’s Country - at the Grand Theatre. Attendance at festival increases 11% over 2011 event.
In 2013 the Kingston Canadian Film Festival hosts Oscar winner Mychael Danna (Life of Pi) at the Filmmakers’ Reception.
In 2014 the Festival increases box office by 25% and surpasses attendance record set in 2010.
In 2015 the Kingston Canadian Film Festival increases box office by 21% over 2014 and a total audience of 5,750. Dedicated showcases for youth filmmakers established. KCFF introduces a music in film program. Appearances by Paul Spence (Deaner from FUBAR), Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, Don McKellar, and over 50 other special guests.
In 2016 the Festival increases box office for third straight year, surpassing 2015 by 15%. KCFF: Interactive introduces video game development workshops. Guantanamo's Child: Omar Khadr wins the Eye on Canada People's Choice Award. Special guest appearances by Scott Thompson, K Trevor Wilson, Jess Allen, Brian D. Johnston, Sarah Harmer, Conner Jessup, and over 60 other industry guests.
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is held annually in late February to early March and is a registered not-for-profit organization.
The LFI includes numerous internships in partnership with the Queen's University Department of Film Studies, an annual seminar, various workshops, and one-on-one mentoring sessions between attending industry professionals and area filmmakers. The Festival also continues to present one locally produced short film before each feature.
This program consists entirely of non-subtitled French language films. These films would otherwise be unavailable to local audiences.
This program offers local filmmakers the opportunity to meet industry professionals one-on-one. These meetings are an hour long each. The local filmmaker is matched with an industry guest who is most able to be of assistance to them.
The 2016 edition of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, included new programming, such as Local Shorts Program, Documentaries, Music, interactive gaming and comedy.
The documentary Driving with Selvi opened the 2016 edition of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival at The Performance Hall of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, 390 King St. W. The documentary features the story of Selvi, the first Indian woman to become a taxi driver.
After the Last River
Al Purdy Was Here
Borealis
Born to be Blue
Le bruit des arbres (The sound of trees)
Closet Monster
Le Coeur de Madame Sabali (The Heart of Madame Sabali)
Les Demons (The Demons)
Le Dep
Driving With Selvi
Les etres chers (Our loved ones)
Family Pictures: Stories of Barriefield Village
The Forbidden Room
Forsaken
Guantanamo's Child
Hockey's Lost Boy: The Rise and Fall of George Patterson
Hurt
Into the Forest
The Messenger
River
Sleeping Giant
Terminal Device
Wawahte
