 Now in its 19th year, Canadian Film Festival (CFF) returns today with another stellar lineup of Canadian stories. CFF celebrates creative voices from across the country, including British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. This year, the festival will be showcasing 16 features and 50 shorts at Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto from March 24-29, 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.canfilmfest.ca. From the impressive lineup, 53% of films are by female/non-binary filmmakers, and 44% are from BIPOC filmmakers. The opening night film, Naomi Jaye’s Darkest Miriam, stars Britt Lower (known for her role as Helly R. in Severance) as Miriam Gordon, a sheltered librarian faced with grief as she navigates her job at the Toronto Public Library. Miriam’s existence cracks open when she receives a series of threatening letters addressed to her. The film marks Naomi Jaye’s sophomore directorial feature following 2013’s The Pin, a love story set during WWII. Darkest Miriam (based in Ontario) premieres Monday, March 24 at 7:00 pm, and will be sure to spark buzz amongst Severance fans.  Darkest Miriam (2025) The closing night film, Kate Kroll’s Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story, shines a light on WWF villain Luna Vachon. The documentary follows Vachon through the peak of her 90’s fame, her hidden battle with mental health, and how she challenged mainstream expectations of women in the wrestling industry. The film marks Kroll’s third directorial feature following 2010’s No Fun City and 2014’s Path of Pilgrims. Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story (based in British Columbia) premieres March 29 at 9:00 pm.  Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story (2025) Among the festival highlights, Catherine Legault’s LARRY (they/them) spotlights Laurence Philomène, a non-binary trans photographer based in Montreal. This intimate documentary explores Laurence’s inspired work through their empowering Non-Binary Portrait Series and ongoing autobiographical book called Puberty. The book features colorful, detailed self-portraits of Laurence in domestic spaces, as they undergo testosterone shots during their transition. LARRY (they/them) excels at amplifying the autonomy of non-binary storytelling and the power of unlearning what society has taught about gender and bodies. Legault infuses her second feature with a candid approach and crafts a tender experience. Her direction and writing create a safe space for honest expression, turning the lens inward to reflect Laurence’s self-care. LARRY (they/them) radiates a powerful sense of community. Given the intimacy of Legault’s filmmaking and Laurence’s candor, you feel completely present, as though you’re in the room with them. LARRY (they/them) uplifts one of the most inspiring voices of their generation as they find personal joy amidst hardships. The documentary premieres Tuesday, March 25 at 1:00 pm and will be preceded by Laura King's short film, Paper Lanterns. Continuing Canadian Film Fest’s showcase of diverse perspectives, Tarique Qayumi’s Conceiving Clara explores the resonant subjects of midwifery and IVF treatment. The film follows Clara (Tajana Susanna Prka), a midwife who helps women give birth but cannot bear a child. Facing constant pressure from her mother-in-law, Clara decides to undergo IVF treatment and experiences complications that lead to desperate measures. Directed by Qayumi, and co-written by Qayumi and Prka, the story puts you under a spell of frustration and uncertainty as Clara searches for answers. The film leans heavily into ambiguous storytelling and features some disjointed editing. As a result, the story loses momentum and focus in its overall message. However, the thematic urgency around this narrative stands out, from protecting midwifery practices to increasing awareness and support for the commonality of infertility. In addition, Tajana Susanna Prka’s performance holds the film together with strong emotionality. Conceiving Clara premieres Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm and will be preceded by Luvleen Hunjan’s short film, Whispering in the Leaves. Also featured at CFF this year, Meelad Moaphi’s brilliant family drama His Father’s Son and Sarah Galea-Davis’s avant-garde The Players each represent Ontario-based productions that explore complex character dynamics, whether between fellow relatives or fellow actors. His Father’s Son, premiering Thursday, March 27 at 6:00 pm, centers on an Iranian-Canadian family whose collective history unravels unexpected truths. The Players, premiering Saturday, March 29 at 6:30 pm, follows a young actor who finds a surrogate family when she joins an exciting theatre production.  His Father's Son (2025) Spanning a variety of genres, themes, and cultures, CFF continues to bring original and inspiring Canadian stories to Canadian audiences. Celebrate the art of cinema with CFF from March 24-29 at Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. To purchase tickets and view the complete festival schedule, visit www.canfilmfest.ca/films-2025. For more information on CFF, stay updated through the channels below: #CanFilmFest Twitter / X: @CanFilmFest Instagram: @CanFilmFest Facebook: facebook.com/CanFilmFest Youtube: Canadian Film Fest
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