133 Essential Canadian Films from TIFF
129 titles
- 101
Canadian PacificMovie · 1949 · 95mA Canadian Pacific Railroad surveyor faces opposition from fur trappers who are inciting Native American unrest to prevent the railroad's construction.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.0 - 102
Away from HerMovie · 2007 · 110m · Drama, RomanceFiona and Grant have been married for almost 50 years. They confront the reality that Fiona's forgetfulness is due to Alzheimer's disease, requiring her to move to a specialized nursing home. There, she gradually forgets Grant and develops affection for Aubrey, another resident.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.0 - 103
LéoloMovie · 1992 · 107m · Comedy, Drama, FantasyThis coming-of-age story follows a young boy with a vivid imagination. He believes he was born from a Sicilian tomato after his mother accidentally fell on it. The film explores his fantastical world, where ordinary things become magical.
As he faces childhood challenges with his unusual origin, the boy meets others who share a similar connection to fate. Their relationships highlight the importance of self-acceptance and the power of imagination to make life extraordinary.
Blending humor and emotion, the film invites us to see the world through a child's eyes and to embrace our own dreams, showing that remarkable stories can come from unexpected beginnings.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 104
Jesus of MontrealMovie · 1989 · 119m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceIn Montreal, a dedicated group of actors stages an interpretive Passion Play, blending religious history with modern issues. As they explore the emotions of Jesus' final days, the performers discover parallels between their roles and their own lives. The play receives both acclaim and criticism, attracting the attention of the local Catholic Church, which strongly objects to its unconventional depiction of the story. This story examines art, faith, and personal change as it explores the connection between fiction and reality, prompting actors and audiences to examine their own beliefs.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.9 - 105
Lamentations: A Monument for the Dead WorldMovie · 1985 · 437m"Lamentations: A Monument to the Dead World" is one part of "The Book of All the Dead," a 35-hour film cycle by Toronto filmmaker Bruce Elder, created between 1975 and 1994. While the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead offered guidance for the afterlife, Elder presents a more unsettling interpretation. The film combines text with diverse visuals: scenes featuring a darkly humorous Franz Liszt, a discussion between Isaac Newton and George Berkeley, a troubled man in an alley, and a condescending psychiatrist. It culminates in a search for redemption across the forests of British Columbia, the American Southwest, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.2 - 106
SpiderMovie · 2002 · 98m · Drama, Mystery, ThrillerA man struggling with mental illness moves into a halfway house. As he adjusts, his condition worsens, and he becomes increasingly lost in a distorted version of his past, repeatedly reliving a significant childhood memory.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 107
KamouraskaMovie · 1973 · 175mKamouraska is inspired by a true nineteenth-century love triangle in rural Quebec. It presents a poetic yet unsettling portrayal of Elisabeth d'Aulnières' life: her marriage to Antoine Tassy, a local squire; his brutal killing; and her intense feelings for George Nelson, an American doctor. Passionate and vivid, Kamouraska is a timeless story about a woman consumed by her devotion to an idealized love.IMDb 7.4TMDB 5.8 - 108
CarcassesMovie · 2009 · 72mA quiet man manages a business where people come to salvage parts from abandoned cars.IMDb 5.8TMDB 6.6 - 109
eXistenZMovie · 1999 · 97m · Action, Thriller, Science FictionA skilled game designer is hunted by deadly assassins. Racing to uncover why, she enlists an unsuspecting marketing trainee to play her latest virtual reality game. Inside the immersive world, they must discover if the game has been altered or hides a secret connected to the attacks. With high stakes and every decision critical, they struggle to distinguish reality from the game, keeping audiences captivated until the final moments.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.8 - 110
PontypoolMovie · 2009 · 97m · Horror, Mystery, Science FictionRadio DJ Grant Mazzy starts his workday at his basement station in Pontypool, Canada, expecting the usual. However, as reports of a virus spreading and turning people into zombies begin to surface, Mazzy locks himself in the radio booth. He desperately tries to find a way to warn his listeners about the virus and how it's spreading.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.4 - 111
War WitchMovie · 2012 · 90m · Drama, WarIn Sub-Saharan Africa, fourteen-year-old Komona speaks to her unborn child, recounting her life since being caught in the conflict. Her story began when she was twelve and abducted by a rebel army.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.5 - 112
Vic + Flo Saw a BearMovie · 2013 · 95mTwo men, recently freed from prison, seek a new life by working in a remote sugar shack nestled in the woods.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.5 - 113
My American CousinMovie · 1985 · 90mIn rural British Columbia, 1950s pre-teen Sandy Wilcox feels increasingly frustrated by being treated like a child. Her desire for adult consideration intensifies with the arrival of her older American cousin, Butch Walker.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 114
Nobody Waved GoodbyeMovie · 1964 · 81mA teenager defies his parents and attempts to become independent, but is forced to confront a difficult truth about the world.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.0 - 115
Lonely BoyMovie · 1962 · 27mThis short film tells the story of singer Paul Anka's rise to fame as a global idol for young people. It offers an honest look at both the public and private aspects of his career, examining the system that built a generation of pop stars. Interviews with Anka and his manager share their views on the music industry.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.9 - 116
Double HappinessMovie · 1994 · 87mJade Li, a spirited young Chinese Canadian woman in her twenties, navigates the tension between her parents' expectations and her own aspirations – a concept she calls "double happiness." As she struggles to balance these conflicting worlds, a relationship with Mark, a white university student, challenges the carefully constructed image of the perfect daughter she's always maintained.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3 - 117
My WinnipegMovie · 2008 · 80m · Documentary, Drama, ComedyWinnipeg, Manitoba, the heart of North America and Guy Maddin's hometown, is the captivating setting for his film. The story blends reality, imagination, and recollections to create a city that is both charming and unsettling.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 118
La Région CentraleMovie · 1971 · 193mMichael Snow's 1971 experimental film was shot over 24 hours in the Canadian mountains, using a robotic arm.IMDb 6.2TMDB 7.3 - 119
Back to God's CountryMovie · 1919 · 73mFollowing her father's death at the hands of an outlaw, Dolores marries Peter. During their voyage in the Arctic, Dolores encounters the ship's captain – the man responsible for her father's murder. The captain orchestrates an accident that harms Peter, leaving Dolores isolated and vulnerable as they reach a secluded harbor.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.2 - 120
Atanarjuat: The Fast RunnerMovie · 2002 · 172m · Fantasy, DramaInspired by a local legend, this film unfolds in a timeless setting and explores themes of love, possessiveness, family, jealousy, and power. Beautifully filmed and featuring an Inuit cast, it depicts a way of life where men settled disputes with ritualistic duels, intimacy occurred during hunts, and sustenance came from walrus and seal.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 121
Mon oncle AntoineMovie · 1971 · 105m · DramaDuring the peaceful Christmas season in rural Quebec, a young boy navigates the path to adulthood. His family is central to the town, running both the general store and the local funeral home.
The film follows the boy's coming-of-age, exploring the lessons he learns from his family and community as he helps with the funeral home. It contrasts the warmth of family life with the realities of death, offering a moving look at life's cycles. Set against the backdrop of a remote Quebec village at Christmas – a time for family and remembrance – the story examines themes of resilience, tradition, and the passage of time.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.8 - 122
The Red ViolinMovie · 1998 · 130m · Drama, Thriller, MysteryThe Red Violin follows a remarkable musical instrument's journey through time and across continents. Made by an Italian master in 1681, the violin's story unfolds as it changes hands, traveling from Austria to England, then to China, and finally to Canada. An appraiser, played by Samuel L. Jackson, explores the violin’s history and discovers its profound emotional impact throughout the centuries. The film explores themes of love, loss, and artistic legacy, alongside the power of music, creating a cinematic experience that stays with the viewer.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 123
It's Not Me, I Swear!Movie · 2008 · 110m · Comedy, DramaIn the summer of 1968, ten-year-old Leon deals with the challenges of first love, his mother's unpredictable behavior, and a strong desire to damage his neighbors' property.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.1 - 124
The Apprenticeship of Duddy KravitzMovie · 1974 · 120mDuddy Kravitz, the son of working-class Jewish parents in Montreal, is determined to achieve success. The film follows his rapid and questionable climb to power, and how his relationships with family and friends evolve. It also examines issues of anti-Semitism and the burdens of growing up.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9 - 125
MommyMovie · 2014 · 138m · DramaA woman recently widowed finds an unexpected source of support in her unusual neighbor. She's grappling with the challenges of raising her teenage child, who is often difficult and occasionally aggressive.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.2 - 126
Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn GouldMovie · 1993 · 93m · Drama, MusicThis film explores the life of a celebrated Canadian classical pianist through a series of connected scenes. We see his daily life, rehearsals, and performances, as well as moments from his personal life that show his emotional and intellectual struggles. These scenes create a complete picture of the musician's dedication, passion, and complexities. The film offers an insightful look at the world of classical music and the sacrifices artists make to achieve greatness. It powerfully conveys themes of perseverance, creativity, and the impact of artistic expression.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 127
The Sweet HereafterMovie · 1997 · 112m · DramaThis drama explores the impact of a devastating school bus accident on a tight-knit Canadian mountain town, which resulted in the loss of over twelve young lives. A lawyer from the city arrives to help the grieving families pursue legal action, but his efforts to bring them together instead create further division within the community.
Amidst the community's struggle with loss and their pursuit of justice, a teenage survivor begins their own path to healing. Dealing with physical and emotional wounds from witnessing the tragedy, they must come to terms with a world irrevocably altered. The film offers a sensitive look at grief, recovery, and the search for meaning when confronted with unimaginable hardship, revealing the complex emotions that emerge during times of profound adversity.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.9 - 128
I've Heard the Mermaids SingingMovie · 1987 · 81m · Comedy, DramaPolly, a young woman who struggles with organization, lands a job as secretary to Gabrielle, the owner of a renowned art gallery. Polly looks up to Gabrielle's artistic talent but is oblivious to hidden parts of her life. As Gabrielle develops a romantic relationship with Mary, a promising painter, tension builds at the gallery, fueling Polly's jealousy. Drawn to the secrets surrounding Gabrielle's past, Polly starts investigating, uncovering a complicated history of deception. The film explores ambition, jealousy, and the difficulty of discerning reality from illusion within the art world.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.6 - 129
Monkey WarfareMovie · 2006 · 75mTwo former revolutionaries, living in hiding, find their lives disrupted by a charismatic young activist. She escalates her tactics from property destruction to direct confrontation with developers, challenging the forces of gentrification.IMDb 6.5TMDB 4.4
