The Durham Region International Film Festival turns 10 this month, and the celebration begins in Whitby.
DRIFF runs October 22 to 24 at venues across the region, with opening night at the Centennial Building in downtown Whitby. The curtain-raiser is Hold Onto Me, winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, according to a Region of Durham news release.
The festival closes October 24 at the Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa with Take Me Home, the 2025 recipient of the Tribeca Festival AT&T Untold Stories grant. The final day also includes The Push Back shorts programme and the DRIFF Awards Ceremony, followed by an anniversary celebration.
Canadian films feature prominently in this year's lineup. October 23 brings the Ontario premiere of The Snake, a feature by Prince Edward Island filmmaker Jenna MacMillan, screened at the Ajax Centre for the Arts after the Peak Pressure shorts programme. Multiple Canadian entries are also included in the festival's short film programmes.
More than movies
Festival-goers can take in more than screenings. The anniversary edition includes question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers, red carpet photo opportunities and a Local Culinary Showcase with food from across Durham Region. An interactive workshop will cover creating period makeup looks and acting tips for film.
New this year is Myth2Market: The Future of Movie Making Summit on October 23, exploring what's next for the screen industry — from artificial intelligence and virtual production to visual effects and sustainable filmmaking — along with opportunities to grow film production and investment in Durham Region.
DRIFF is a not-for-profit festival rooted in Durham's communities, promoting film as a form of creative expression and a catalyst for community building, according to the release.
Tickets and prizes
Tickets are $15 for opening night and $20 for each of the second and third days. For a limited time, buyers are also entered into a draw for one of six Night-Out Giveaway packages, each featuring a one-night hotel stay, a restaurant gift card or voucher, and two DRIFF tickets.
Tickets and the full programme are available at DRIFF.ca.
A growing film sector
The festival is supported by Invest Durham through Film Durham, the Region's Economic Development and Tourism division and its main point of contact for the film and television industry.
Durham plays an important role in Ontario's multi-billion-dollar film and TV industry thanks to its proximity to Toronto's production hub, its workforce and its mix of studios and locations, according to the Region. Local production sites include a dedicated film studio, Canada's largest filming backlot, post-production facilities and one of Canada's top 10 filming locations.
