First Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival (2009)

In 2009 our first festival featured 4 high quality feature films plus children's films from the National Film Board of Canada on Saturday morning and 'Focus on Winnipeg' shorts from talented new filmmakers. The festival received incredibly positive feedback and the opening gala of 'One Week' was a sell-out success. Guest director Michael McGowan was thrilled to see such an enthusiastic crowd at his film and was an entertaining hit at the reception following the screening. Other films for 2009 were the stunning french feature 'Maman est chez le coiffeur,' Paul Gross' historical 'Passchendale' and comedy-drama 'Mothers & Daughters.'

Our Second Annual Festival (2010)

2010's 2nd annual festival featured a gala presentation of the feature film, 'Hot Tub Time Machine,' filmed exclusively in Fernie and Vancouver BC. A reception followed afterwards next door at The Central with awards and prizes for best costumes and locals who had participated in making the film. Saturday's events kicked off with children's shorts at the Arts station followed by 'Focus on Calgary' featuring new shorts from talented Calgary film-makers. A special Italian-themed 'Reel Italian' Directors' Dinner and screening followed later in the day. Two evening screenings of full length feature films at the Vogue Theatre rounded out the day of over 420 minutes of film!

Features on Saturday were the powerful BC drama 'Cole' from 'Mothers & Daughters' director Carl Bessai and drugged-out Winnipeg caper 'High Life.' Sunday featured the emotional powerhouse directorial debut 'J'ai tue ma mere' and sweeping high-budget period piece 'The Young Victoria.'

Our Third Annual Festival (2011)

For 2011, another packed schedule kicked off with the second installment of Carl Bessai's observational tryptych 'Fathers & Sons' followed by a reception with stars Stephen Lobo and Jay Brazeau. Saturday's ever-popular NFB shorts for kids took up the morning at the Arts Station, while the afternoon was filled with engaging 'Focus on Vancouver' shorts. Saturday evening's youthful presentations included high-school drama 'Daydream Nation' and 'Fubar II,' the even-more-hilarious-than-the-first romp with Terry and Dean. Directly after the film, Terry entertained us in person while the foot-stomping Mudmen played beer-swilling tunes at the Central. Sunday was a more thoughful day featuring the heart-rending documentary 'Last Train Home' and Oscar-nominated powerhouse 'Incendies.'

Our Fourth Annual Festival (2012)

In 2012, we started the festival off a week early by hosting a special preview night at the Arts Station (featuringSisters & Brothers, the third film in Carl Bessai's trilogy, and Wiebo's War.) Friday's opener was award-winning Monsieur Lazhar and our annual reception followed next door at the Central with a live band for entertainment. Saturday began with our annual NFB shorts program for kids at the Arts Station, while the afternoon was filled with 'Focus on Edmonton' shorts with several directors in attendance. Saturday evening's films included Quebec's highest grossing film in history (and hilarious) 'Starbuck' and David Cronenberg's 'A Dangerous Method.' Sunday concluded with the thought-provoking documentary 'Pink Ribbons Inc.', our ever popular closing reception and the entertaining Maritime comedy, 'Cloudburst.'

Get Ready to Enjoy our Fifth Annual Festival on March 29 - 31, 2013!