CFI Festivals and Series

European Union Film Festival

Next Festival: November 14-30, 2024

Founded 1984

The European Union Film Festival is an annual showcase of the best of contemporary cinema produced in the European Union. Over the span of two to three weeks, the Canadian Film Institute brings Ottawa audiences a wide selection of award-winning films from the Festival circuit, never-before-seen in the capital city.

Le Festival du film de l’Union européenne est une exposition annuelle du meilleur cinéma contemporain produit dans l’Union européenne. Pendant deux à trois semaines, l’Institut canadien du film offre au public d’Ottawa une vaste sélection de films primés du circuit du Festival, jamais encore visionnés dans la ville de la capitale.

Ottawa International Animation Festival

Next Festival: September 24-28, 2025

Founded 1976

Every September, the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) presents the world’s most cutting-edge, quirky and important animation — and transforms Ottawa into the centre of the animation universe. The OIAF is the largest event of its kind in North America, a major film event attracting attendees from around the world.

Tous les mois de septembre, le Festival international d’animation d’Ottawa (OIAF) présente les animations les plus  innovatrices, originales et importantes du monde — et transforme Ottawa en centre de l’animation de l’univers.

International Film Festival of Ottawa

Next Festival: March 2025

Founded 2020

IFFO brings the best of the global film festival circuit to Canada’s Capital.

IFFO’s industry event Screen Summit is an event dedicated to strengthening and inspiring Ottawa's growing screen-based industries while addressing topics relevant to all film industry professionals.

IFFO presents SAVE AS, a symposium exploring Canadian and international efforts to preserve, promote, and, most importantly, distribute and exhibit Canada’s and the world’s cinematic heritage.

IFFO’s year-round programming includes “The Female Gaze” series showcasing films directed and written by women.

European Union Short Film Festival

Next Festival: May 3-4, 2024

Founded 2014

The European Union Short Film Festival offers cinematic delights in short form from over 20 EU Member States, featuring everything from short dramas to experimental works to animation. Presented in collaboration with European Union Delegation to Canada and the participating EU Member States. The screenings take place in the Arts Court Theatre and are preceded by 'Tastes of Europe', offering free samples of food and drink.

Café Ex

Founded 1998

This on-going visiting artist series presents artist-curated evenings of independent experimental film and video in an intimate atmosphere. The series features Canadian experimental cinema, with guest filmmakers presenting their work and engaging in extensive discussions with audience members for a "pay-what-you-can" admission.

Inauguré en 1998, cette série continue d’artistes invités offre des soirées organisées par les artistes de vidéos et de films expérimentaux et indépendants. La série met en lumière le cinéma expérimental canadien, où les cinéastes invités présentent leurs œuvres et participent à des discussions approfondies avec les membres du public, le tout pour une admission du type « donnez ce que vous pouvez ».

Canadian Masters

Founded 2016

The Canadian Film Institute’s Canadian Masters series is an annual celebration of excellence in Canadian filmmaking, featuring extensive onstage interviews, special screenings, and audience discussions with some of the greatest names in Canadian film history.

Les Canadian Masters Series de l’Institut canadien du film sont une célébration de l’excellence de la cinématographie canadienne, qui comporte des entrevues en profondeur sur scène, des projections spéciales et des discussions entre le public et certains des plus grands noms de l’histoire du film au Canada.

The Enlightened Screen

Founded 2016

The Canadian Film Institute’s ongoing guest artist series featuring Canada’s best contemporary filmmakers.

Once again, the series features Canadian contemporary cinema, with guest filmmakers presenting their work and engaging in extensive discussions with audience members.