The Barrie Film Festival (BFF) began as a small group interested in film that organized film screenings as a project of our local gallery and over the years has become a Barrie-based celebration of film. In 2006, through that same passion and a commitment to sharing the art of cinema, the Barrie Film Festival forming its own Board of Directors from the earlier planning committee. This decision was rooted in a desire to developing film as a distinct art form in the City of Barrie. By being its own independent not-for-profit organization, the BFF has been able to focus on its mandate and create a clear vision for the group.

Provide local and global cinematic experiences through the medium of film to generate social awareness and encourage discussion.

Stimulate local film production by engaging youth in the potential of film as a medium of personal expression and by supporting the works of emerging filmmakers of all ages.

Inspire young minds; exposing them to broader cultural horizons and creative possibilities.

Encourage multi-cultural perspectives through the exhibition and support of national, indigenous and international cinema.

Create a community of young filmmakers through the Educational Program.

Showcase films not readily available in the Barrie area that celebrate the spirit of independent filmmaking and demonstrate ambitious ideas and unique perspectives.

Showcase foreign language cinema to promote an understanding and appreciation of multiculturalism among our viewers.

Support national cinema by maintaining a large portion of Canadian content in our programming.

Provide opportunities for locally produced film projects to be screened to promote and inspire creativity.

Showcase films that communicate messages of specific interest to the citizens of Barrie and instill a unique sense of identity, place and community within the city.

Build an enlightened and critically minded community by offering opportunities for open discussion forums around screenings.

Acquire an inspiring and diverse range of guests to exhibit and discuss their work with the public.

Build appreciation for all artistic aspects of cinema by exhibiting films that demonstrate excellence in related fields such as cinematography, screenwriting, sound, editing, acting and the like.

The Barrie Film Festival’s programming celebrates the cultural diversity of cinema and endeavours to bring in guest directors and industry professionals to provide another level of enrichment to the film experience. There have been a number of notable figures in Canadian and international Cinema. 

Some of these guests have included: Canadian director Michael McGowan Saint Ralph at a 2004 Screen One presentation; Maury Chaykin Wilby Wonderful at the 2004 festival; Atom Egoyan Ararat at a 2003 Screen One; actor Kristen Holden-Ried for Touch of Pink at the 2003 festival; Linda Goranson - actress of the Canadian 1972 classic The Rowdyman, directors Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, and U.S. Director Eric Zala and actor Chris Strompolos Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, (a film only exhibited at film festivals) at the 2006 festival; director Robert Budreau and writer/producer Bill Plumstead from That Beautiful Somewhere (Q&A and panel discussion); award-winner Vic Sarin director, D.O.P. and screen writer for Partition – all at our 2007 festival; and director Leonard Farlinger and producer Jennifer Jonas for Canadian film, All Hat, December 2007 Screen One guests. 

Summer Outdoor screenings: Catering to a broader audience to create a special and accessible venue on the waterfront, with family-friendly films and presented free-of-charge to the Barrie community. These screenings are a good fit with the collaboration Lawn Chair Luminata: Waterfront series, which bring together theatre, music, film and art set in beautiful Heritage Park. 

Screen One monthly film series: Now in its 13th year, we show a selection of Canadian, Independent and World cinema to a loyal and ever building audience on the first Wednesday of every month from January through to December. We have three screening times 4 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm, depending on the length of the film. Annual Barrie Film Festival: The focus of the festival’s line-up is a showcase of award-winning independent feature films from all over the globe with a significant emphasis on Canadian content as well as the screening of short films and a short film competition. The number of offsite additions has expanded over the years to include, galas, a director’s brunch, educational workshops and guest Q&As to further enhance the excitement of the festival. 

Reel Stories

The socially conscious Reel Stories program is primarily concerned with raising awareness and highlighting current issues in the world. Going into its fifth year in 2009, it continues to screen five films over three days and has found its place in the first weekend of February, partnering with the City of Barrie’s Winterfest. 

The Barrie Film Festival group is proud of our association with The Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group, a body that is responsible for supplying films outside of traditional urban centres; we work together to bring critically acclaimed major and independent films to our city from Canada and around the world. The Film Circuit provides invaluable guidance and support to countless film groups both nationally and abroad.