Ottawa Canadian Film Festival
Filmmakers
Our Call for Submissions for 2020 is now closed. Our jury is hard at work reviewing the submissions.
Film Fans
Read up on the filmmakers and the films featured at previous OCanFilmFest festival screenings.
OCanFilmFest2019: Last Year’s Festival
The festival featured 3 feature-length films and 11 short films of various genres from all over Canada over 2 days in November last year. We were thrilled to welcome cast & crew members from Ottawa, and filmmakers and special guests who made the trip from Toronto, Montreal and Victoria to see audiences react to their films and participate in Q&A sessions following the films.
The Still Life of Annika Myers was the Audience Favourite Award recipient. Congratulations to director Matthew Blecha, Producers Darlene Tait & Matthew Blecha and the entire cast and crew!
Meet the Team
The Ottawa Canadian Film Festival (OCanFilmFest) is a cultural, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to recognize, promote and celebrate the art of cinema by showcasing Canadian films and filmmakers. Our mission is grounded in the belief that Canadian film and filmmakers are distinctive and vital to our country’s culture and the development of the local economy.
For more about our vision, mission and team, head to our About page.
Read the latest update from the board.
OCanFilmFest Alumni
Filmmakers whose work has been featured have been kind enough to provide us some great feeback. Here’s what some of them had to say.
This festival is wonderful. The programming is really high quality. For a small festival, I had one of my best screenings. The audience is so engaged and intelligent I was taken aback of how intimate the audience interaction was with my film. The festival staff are professional, they really try and promote your film within the community. I will apply again. I recommend this festival. I am honoured I got to take part.
Valerie Barnhart
Girl in the HallwayThis festival especially caters to the filmmakers and allows them to promote their work in Ottawa. The films shown were amazing! Ranging from dramatic work, to laugh out loud comedy. Very proud to have my film amongst other talented Canadian filmmakers.
Tavit Melikian
End of the NightHighly recommend this festival. Well-organized! Good communication. Great mindset towards the promotion of all participating films. Great job, everyone!
Matthew J. Blecha
Super BingoLove this curated festival! I will definitely submit my next film here!
Luvia Petersen
Dog BiteI just wanted to thank you for pulling off a very successful festival this year. The films were great and diverse and the festival itself, I felt was very well put together and organized. Look forward to attending next year!
Kirk Knapp
InterceptThe go-to festival for indie filmmakers in Ottawa this year. Really appreciate the hard work they put in to promote local talent and indie talent in general. I hope they get bigger over the next few years – the region needs it!
Alexander Cruz
Pur LaineWe were thrilled to hold the world premiere of The Mayor of Comedy at the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival. The staff and venue were a highlight, thanks for having us.
Matt Kelly
The Mayor of Comedy2019 was our team’s second appearance at this gem of a festival! Wonderful people, very well organized and great advance communication. Will submit again!
Darlene Tait
The Still Life of Annika Myers
Say hello
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OCanFilmFest2020 gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Arts Council.