National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) returns on April 16, 2025, with a programming Spotlight on Canadian films that will give you a sense of connection, strength, and hope. The 2025 Spotlight – Something to Believe In – includes stories that capture the power of art, of community, of having a dream, and of fighting for what you believe in.
CanFilmDay and this year’s Spotlight list provide Canadians an opportunity to gather together to indulge in some of Canada’s best cinema. The Spotlight showcases Canadian favourites old and new, including some of the top films from 2024 festivals, such as:
Universal Language – dir. Matthew Rankin – Canada’s submission to the 2025 Academy Awards
Bergers (Shepherds) – dir. Sophie Deraspe – winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Yintah – dir. Jennifer Wickham (Wet’suwet’en), Brenda Michell (Wet’suwet’en), Michael Toledano – winner of the Best Canadian Documentary Award at the 2024 Hot Docs Festival
In addition to recent festival highlights, the 2025 programming will also include special anniversary screenings of some of Canada’s most beloved films, such as:
Oscar-winning documentary The Man Who Skied Down Everest, directed by Bruce Nyznik and Lawrence Schiller, celebrating its 50th anniversary
Sunshine, directed by István Szabó, nominated for 14 Genie Awards (winning Best Picture) and 3 Golden Globes, celebrating its 25th anniversary
Alan Zweig’s cult favourite documentary Vinyl, celebrating its 25th anniversary
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen, directed by Don Owen and Donald Brittain, released 60 years ago
C.R.A.Z.Y., the instant classic by the late, Oscar-nominated Jean-Marc Vallée, having its 20th anniversary
Clement Virgo’s Rude, winner of the Best Canadian Feature Film Award and a Special Jury Citation at the 1995 Toronto International Film Festival, released 30 years ago
As always, CanFilmDay will reach across Canada and around the world with free in-person events hosted by hundreds of screening partners in communities big and small. And the broadcast and streaming partners don’t want you to miss the party – they’ll be programming Canadian films to enjoy from the comfort of your couch.
As they’ve done for the past eleven years, there will be a variety of different activities, and programming for audiences young and old:
Screenings at film festivals, cinemas, libraries, community centres, schools, friendship centres, retirement residences, art galleries, military bases and more
Filmmaker and special guest Q&As following many of the films
Hundreds of screenings of Indigenous-made films, including a special tribute to the late Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair
A variety of French-language programming screened for both Francophone and Anglophone communities nationwide
Events around the world in partnership with Global Affairs Canada
An annual livestream for 15,000+ high school students
A wealth of great Canadian films to watch from home, thanks to our many broadcast and streaming partners
If you’d like to host a free event for your community, visit canfilmday.ca/register and sign up today.
