Film

Canadian Film

The film industry in Canada dates back to the very beginnings of film. From the silent era at the end of the nineteenth century to its achievements in documentary filmmaking, animation and the production of large-scale feature movies for world audiences, the Canadian film industry has been one of the truest voices of this country.

Canada is not a uniform demographic assembly of people living in the same geographical conditions. It is multi-dimensional and its roots are those of people who each have a history of Canada to tell. The history of film in Canada is really the story, through voice and image, of the many regions of the country – and of the people, their language and their milieu.

It is also the history of challenges that have been surmounted, and others that are yet before us, including our relatively small market compared to costs of production, and a large cultural and demographic force to the south of Canada’s border. These challenges have largely been overcome by the immense talent of Canadian directors, producers and actors, and by institutions like the National Film Board that has won innumerable awards through the years, including many international awards.

Canada is fertile ground for actors, cinematographers, movie directors, producers, technicians and scriptwriters who graduate from the country’s various film schools. The outcome is a long list of Canadian names that reach the pinnacle on the international scene, including Hollywood. The Canadian film industry recognizes the outstanding achievements of its own people with film awards like the Genies and the Jutras. Canada is also the launch pad for many films that are presented at film festivals across the country, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Festival des films du monde in Montréal.

In a tide of global trends that tend to blend cultures, Canadian filmmakers are showing Canada to Canadians, and to the world.