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That's A Wrap.

5 days, 33 films, 16 countries
1 unforgettable fifth year.
Thank You!

A Note From the Festival

That’s a Wrap on BMFM 2026

Our fifth annual celebration of cinema was our best yet. Here’s a look back at the films, guests, and moments that made it unforgettable.
From the Festival Director

Thank You

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival!

I wish to extend a warm appreciation to the tireless volunteers and the amazing operations and projection staff who made this year’s event possible. A huge thanks as well to you, our audience, who helped our fifth annual celebration of cinema be our best yet.

I, alongside Associate Programmers Patrick Mullen and Rachel West, watched hundreds of films in order to finalize this year’s selection. We hope that our mix of fiction and documentary, from tear-jerkers to thrillers, with the musically minded to the wildly humorous, showed the best of what filmmakers from Canada and around the world have to offer. With our in-person and virtual Q&As, post-screening conversations, and our Thursday and Saturday celebrations, we hope that each screening was unique and memorable.

Bringing these exceptional titles to this beautiful region is an absolute privilege, and as a team, we thank you for your support. On behalf of everyone who helped make BMFM 2026 happen, we hope that you had a fabulous festival.

We are already looking ahead to next year, where we hope you’ll once again join us to “See the World Through Blue.”

— Jason Gorber, Festival Director

Festival Fave Winner ·
The Art of Adventure

Documentary, Directed by Alison Reid, Audience Favourite

Chosen by audiences as the favourite film of BMFM 2026, The Art of Adventure is a joyful and inspiring celebration of friendship, curiosity, and our connection to the natural world. Through the extraordinary lives of wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster, director Alison Reid reminds us that protecting the planet begins with a willingness to explore, create, and care. Extending far beyond the screen, the film’s #AdventureWithPurpose Impact Campaign seeks to pass that spirit on to the next generation, using storytelling as a catalyst for environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and a lifelong sense of wonder. A deserving recipient of this year’s Festival Fave Award!

Festival Fave Runner-Up · Tuner

Thriller, Directed by Daniel Roher

One of the most talked-about films of BMFM 2026, Tuner captivated audiences with its clever premise, mounting tension, and pitch-perfect performances. Directed by Academy Award-winner Daniel Roher, whose documentary Navalny screened at BMFM before earning Oscar recognition, this riveting dramatic thriller follows a talented piano tuner whose unusual skills open the door to a dangerous new world. Stylish, suspenseful, and impossible to shake, Tuner earned its place as this year’s Festival Fave Runner Up. Missed it at the festival? The film is now playing in select theatres across Canada.

Canadian Shorts Award · Blood or Water

Short Film, Directed by Kristina Mileska

Drawing on her own experiences growing up in an immigrant family, filmmaker Kristina Mileska crafts a tender and beautifully observed coming-of-age story about identity, belonging, and the complexities of girlhood. Blood or Water earned the BMFM 2026 Canadian Shorts Award, along with $10,000 in post-production services generously provided by longtime festival partner Urban Post Production.

School Screening

Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers

200+ Students, teachers & EAs welcomed
One of the highlights of this year's Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival was our annual School Screening, which welcomed 209 students, teachers, and educational assistants from local schools for a shared cinematic experience.

Students enjoyed a special screening of Space Cadet, the acclaimed animated feature by Toronto artist, musician, and graphic novelist Kid Koala. Using stunning animation, music, sound design, and visual storytelling in place of traditional dialogue, the film transported young audiences on an imaginative journey while showcasing the universal language of cinema.
Recently named one of Canada's Top Ten Films of 2025 by the Toronto International Film Festival and a runner-up for the Toronto Film Critics Association's Best Animated Feature award, Space Cadet provided students with an opportunity to experience exceptional Canadian filmmaking on the big screen.

Following the screening, students participated in an engaging, interactive Q&A session with producer and animator Lillian Chan, gaining valuable insights into the film's creative process and the world of animation.
The School Screening remains an important part of the festival's commitment to fostering creativity, media literacy, and a love of storytelling among young audiences in our community.
Special Guest Spotlight

Stars on the Orange Carpet

Opening Night · Special Guest

Sheila McCarthy

From the Orange Carpet to an engaging post-film Q&A, Sheila McCarthy brought her trademark warmth, wit, and storytelling to Opening Night at BMFM. After introducing Dancing on the Elephant as "Thelma & Louise in a retirement home," Sheila shared behind-the-scenes stories about filming with longtime friend Mary Walsh, reflected on memorable moments from her celebrated career, and even teased her upcoming series Yaga. Equal parts heartfelt and hilarious, it was a festival conversation audiences won't soon forget.
Dancing on the Elephant · Opening Night Feature
Saturday Night · Special Guest

Jayne Eastwood

Canadian screen legend Jayne Eastwood delighted audiences at our Saturday Night Feature with an unforgettable post-film Q&A following You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution. Joined by producer Tom Powers, she shared stories from the legendary Toronto Godspell production that launched lifelong friendships and helped shape the careers of comedy icons including Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Gilda Radner, and Dave Thomas.
From discovering Paul Shaffer at auditions long before his years with David Letterman to hilarious behind-the-scenes memories from the cast's early days together, Jayne had audiences laughing and hanging on every word. She later joined festivalgoers at the Back to the Seventies After Party, where guests had the opportunity to meet and mingle with one of Canada's most beloved performers.
You Had to Be There · Saturday Night Feature
From Screening to Distribution:

The Bruce Peninsula

One of the standout success stories of BMFM 2026 came from The Bruce Peninsula, a moving Northern Ontario road-trip drama about two half-brothers brought together by loss.

Following the screening, writer, director, and star Matthew Poitras and producer Mat Seguin connected with IndieCan Entertainment founder Avi Federgreen at the BMFM Creative Forum. Impressed by the film, Federgreen offered the duo a distribution deal through IndieCan, turning a festival screening into a major career milestone and showcasing the power of meaningful industry connections at BMFM.

Thank you to Our Sponsors

This year we were generously supported by an incredible range of sponsors. The festival can ONLY operate with their financial support. The box office receipts fall far short of the cost to create this incredible event.

Long Term Supporters
Blue Mountain Resort and the Blue Mountain Village Association are pillars of the festival. We are also lucky enough to have some local business supporters such as Grey County, The Town of Blue Mountains, Bruce Grey Simcoe, Corbett’s, Property Valet, Freed, PeopleCare and Tatham who have been a part of our event year after year.

Media Partners
We were lucky enough to have a new media partner this year. This partnership with Our Homes magazine helped lift the promotion of the festival and forum to the far corners of the province, generating more out of town visitors than ever before. On the radio, Classical 96.3 gave us the boost we needed locally

The Festival’s Industry Forum
We have a number of returning sponsors that help us create our simultaneous conference, the Creative Forum, which is helping put us on the map: Urban Post, Independent Production Fund, Telefilm, NBCUniversal, Fasken and Sunbelt Rentals

New Partners
We would like to extend a warm welcome to some new sponsors this year, and we look forward to a long relationship with them: Farm Boy, Chartwell, Deans Carpet One, and L. Patten and Sons.

Friends of the Festival
We have created a new opportunity to support the festival through sponsorship and would like to thank the individuals who participated  this year: George Weider, David Lewis and Caroline Pennie.