IGNITING CONVERSATIONS 

Social Justice | The Environment | Community Building

This year’s festival focuses on igniting conversations about our world and relationships, sparked by the themes of resistance, inclusion, and care. Documentary filmmaking offers a window into another’s experience, and through that lens creates the opportunity to learn, expand our perspective, deepen our empathy, and appreciate the complex human (and nonhuman) communities that sustain us. 

We are curating events to provoke thought, encourage play, and weave a wide range of viewpoints into the conversational threads of our community. The festival will be lighting up screens across downtown Guelph (and beyond!) to showcase artful nonfiction films that explore the themes of social justice, the environment, and community building. Sharing stories that matter is at the heart of what we do. And you never know which story will ignite something in you or change the world.

As always, our festival showcases a selection of international, national, and local documentaries selected for the community of Guelph, with visiting directors, creative events, and series of mico-docs by local kid filmmakers! We are delighted to be able to continue to offer the 2024 festival for free to folks under 30. And when we say “Pay What You Want” we really mean it. If you want to come, we want you there! 

Opening night will explore the impacts of trauma, loss, and resilience with Where Olive Trees Weep. Closing night will encourage you to “diddle your skittle” and challenge gender norms while rocking out with Teaches of Peaches and a burlesque show. In between, there is a film for everyone! Whether you are a kid, a tree enthusiast, passionate about preserving public spaces, or wanting to delve into some old-school analogue art-based revolution, there is a story for you. Let’s have fun, get deep, and talk about all things doc!