Message from Christa Dickenson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada, in Celebration of National Canadian Film Day

Today marks National Canadian Film Day, a cross-country celebration of our rich, diverse cinema. The stories we tell from coast to coast to coast offer an array of perspectives, voices, and insights. Telefilm is proud to support this important initiative again this year, in a new virtual format in this time of physical distancing. Now more than ever, we need to find moments to celebrate our Canadian spirit and take pride in our Canadian films and the Canadian talent that created them.

There are many different ways that you can join in, several of which Telefilm helped make possible:

• Watch a film for free on CBC Gem, with over 100 stories to choose from
• See how 24 of our country’s distributors are working together in this time of crisis to spotlight over 40 titles
• Discover hundreds of Canadian connections in the newly launched MADE | NOUS collection available on the Apple TV app

Many of Canada’s brightest talents including Sandra Oh, Jay Baruchel, Colm Feore, Atom Egoyan, Meghan Follows, Mina Shum, Philippe Falardeau, Don McKellar are joining in online this evening as well for the Livestream, taking place from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm ET on Facebook and YouTube. Share what you’re watching along with them and hosts Peter Keleghan and Ali Hassan.

We are also supporting two live events on social media: a live Q&A with Robbie Amell, starring in global Canadian hit Code 8, available on Crave, and with the team behind Jusqu’au déclin (including director Patrice Laliberté and actor Réal Bossé), Quebec’s first Netflix production, in partnership with the Québec cinéma.

Whether at a movie theatre or on a couch, films have always been a gathering place and communal experience for us. Tonight, let’s each join together and participate in this year’s virtual edition of National Canadian Film Day by watching a movie from the comfort of our homes.

The team behind National Canadian Film day have set up many resources to encourage you to join in. Participate in one of the many watch parties, or plan your own with their how-to kit. Learn all the ways you can get involved at https://canadianfilmday.ca/

I’ll make the popcorn.

Christa Dickenson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada