Spotlight on Canadian Films for National Canadian Film Day 2026

I Like Movies (dir: Chandler Levack)

Lawrence Kweller, a socially inept 17-year old cinephile, gets a job at a video store, where he forms a complicated friendship with his older female manager.

“On the surface, ‘I Like Movies’ is a coming-of-age film paying homage to cinema through the lens of a teenage cinephile working at a video store. At its core, it is so much more.” – Zach Chabot [full review]

The Mayor of Comedy (dir: Matt Kelly)

An eye-opening documentary that follows Sandra as she rallies the biggest names in the Canadian comedy industry in an effort to address the many challenges they face. 

“There is something immediately likeable about comedian Sandra Battaglini, the host and interviewer in this feature documentary exploring the state of the stand-up comedy in Canada.” – Amen Jafri [full review]

Seeking Oblivion (dir: Brent Baird)

Seeking Oblivion follows the story of a young man struggling with depression and a post suicide attempt. Is he broken, or are those around him who are supposed to be helping him actually in need of him more? 

“It’s about human flaws, dumb decisions and forgiveness. Seeking Oblivion captures how needlessly awful life is for Jeremy, even when he’s doing his best and doing all the right things.” – Alvin Tsang [full review]

Vessel (dir: Ethan Godel)

Vessel is a sci-fi comedy that follows two lonely romantics as they go to absurd lengths to be anybody but themselves.

“Godel thoroughly conveys how people long for human connection, but the ability to connect is daunting. Though people may want and deserve love, they will not be happy if they cannot communicate, and cannot be themselves.” – Catharine Horsley [full review]

Miracle, Baby (dir: C Hudson Hwang)

The ultra competitive world of professional sports is daunting for any athletic hopeful, let alone Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cory Conacher. As we explore the young hockey star’s journey to the NHL, we discover that dealing with type 1 diabetes is just one of the many significant challenges he has had to face head-on, and overcome.

“This story brings an informative and personal touch to the hockey player, and can be appreciated by both sports fans, and non-sports fans.” – Chantelle Blanchard [full review]

Baduk (dir: Induk Lee)

Haejijn rediscovers the game ‘baduk’ that she played with her mother in her youth and revisits the moments that shaped their relationship.

“Baduk is a short film that’s very sincere and makes a resonant closing statement. I highly recommend this one.” – Alvin Tsang [full review]

Dead Cat (dirs: Annie-Claude Caron & Danick Audet)

What were Catherine and Louis thinking when they chose a cat with distinctive white spots? It would have been much easier to replace if they had picked the all-back one! Now, they will have to tell their daughter Sophie that Nugget’s dead. Unless…

“Dead Cat is a well executed short film. There are times when the camera cuts away from a reaction or punch line so quickly that joke sets in during the sequence that follows, making it even funnier.” – Jith Paul [full review]

The Debate (dir: Allison Elizabeth Burns)

Curious about the other, suspicious of the other, our differences get in the way.

“It’s an intriguing and confusing viewing experience, and I highly recommend it. The sound design is especially beautiful.” – Alvin Tsang [full review]

A love letter (dir: Thaïs Despont)

A love letter is a visual poem based on the real first love letter actress Tamara Appleton wrote to director Thaïs Despont.

“Director Thaïs Despont delivers us A love letter: where the simplicity of a handwritten letter invites viewers together through evoking a raw, honest, and relatable intimacy.” – Bernice De Gracia [full review]

Desync (dir: Minerva Navasca)

A young Filipina filmmaker attempts to overwrite a painful memory of her mother with a perfect narrative.

“As writers, we are told to ‘write what you know,’ and as the film suggests, sometimes that approach can be taken very literally. ” – Zach Chabot [full review]

i hope they remember my name (dir: Patrick Weiers)

Struggling with depression, a famous vlogger travels to Asia and documents his search for dopamine.

“I hope they remember my name is a timely film that paints an intimate portrait of the potential effects of social media on mental wellbeing.” – Rachel Loewen [full review]

The Star Mill (dir: Daniel Blake)

The Star Mill is a black-and-white animation that follows a boy and his pet owlbear operating a windmill that powers the stars. 

“I was intrigued by the premise and wanted to feel engrossed in the lore.” – Alvin Tsang [full review]

Tears of Oizys (dir: Ramy Raphael)

Tears of Oizys, directed by Ramy Raphaël, follows Isaac who secretly suffers from depression and struggles to express himself, so he writes a letter to his wife.

“Overall, it’s fine and tasteful, and I do recommend checking this one out.” – Alvin Tsang [full review]