Hamilton Film Festival

08/22/2026

Opening Night Films announced!
Tickets https://www.memorialarts.ca/films/hamilton-film-festival-opening-night

LOCAL SHORTS!
Friday October 16th

Movies with a strong connection to the Hammer!

The Content Creator, 3min, Comedy, Richard O’Daiskey & Kim Madden, Hamilton - An ASMR content creator is just trying to make peaceful videos, but her clueless boyfriend keeps interrupting.

Dusk, 1m, Josh Kemp, Hamilton - When the trees go silent, run. When the trees speak to you, don't listen.

Ex-ercise, 6min, Lucy Sanci, Comedy, Hamilton - Two exes are tricked into the same mushroom-fueled "healing" session by their meddling friend and forced to work through their breakup inside a wildly escalating shared hallucination.

TwoFer, 5m, Comedy, Shelly J. Hong, Hamilton - When a depressed gambler and a hapless dentist encounter one another whilst running from the law, they must work together to devise their getaway.

Murder, She Toked, 10m, Mystery, Eric Michael McKenzie, Canada (Filmed in Hamilton) Murder, She Toked is a 10-minute mystery-comedy about best buds Hannah and Mel, who use an extrasensory stoner superpower to investigate the murder of a hip-hop mogul at his luxury w**d lounge.

Swimmers, 13m, Drama, Ryan Nesbitt, Hamilton - Over his summer break, Marco signs up for a lifeguard training course, where he becomes entranced by his polar opposite, Xavier; a boy of mystery and unknown sexuality.

Tough S**t, 7m, Comedy, Kristin Booth, Canada (Cinematography by Hamilton’s Christoph Benfey) Motherhood is messy, unpredictable, and often downright absurd. That famous guide should never have been called What to Expect When You're Expecting—rather, Buckle Up Bitch Rough Waters Ahead.

Value Undetermined, 15m, Drama, Jess Blackwell, Hamilton - A routine evaluation takes a chilling turn when a people-pleasing sales agent realizes she's interviewing for more than just a job.

A Clockwriter, 7m, Horror, Jack Hourahine, Cambridge - A screenwriter’s character manifests time, with each typewritten letter advancing the clock one minute closer to an encircling deadline.

Finding Shelter, 15m, Drama, Mehrtash Mohit, Toronto (Filmed in Hamilton) - FINDING SHELTER follows Hanna, a 10-year old girl, who is about to be smuggled out of her war-torn country with her father on a boat.

Sugar, 8min, Olivia Ellis, Hamilton. - A sidelined career criminal spirals into a fit of jealousy and rage when the new guy shows up.

This short film won the Pitch competition at last year's Hamilton Film Festival!

08/20/2026

Filmmaking Lessons are back this fall on Tuesdays! Register today https://www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com/c/products/filmmaking-lessons

08/18/2026

Bringing a fun new class to the school this fall. Our Homeschooled kids will be making a Found Footage movie! Recommended for kids ages 8-12. 10am - 11:30am. Sign up for all 11 classes, or jump in at any week. https://www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com/c/products/homeschool-filmmaking-classes

08/17/2026

Announcements coming Friday! We will slowly reveal the schedule for the 21st Annual Hamilton Film Festival, starting with Opening Night, so if you haven't received a notification from us, it doesn't mean that your film isn't in.

You can buy your ALL ACCESS pass right now and use the code BINGE for a big discount!

08/15/2026

Students, go to movies with Q&As!! This one was also shot in Hamilton. Check out Canadian indie!

Hamilton Premiere! Sick Puppy Playhouse Cinema on Aug 18, 9:30 pm! Shot in Hamilton! Special one night only screening with writer-director Jay Reid and more. Includes poster giveaway! Tickets in bio.

08/05/2026

Advanced passes are on sale now! Use code BINGE up until Aug 21st to receive a special discount! Visit our website to purchase.

08/04/2026

🎥Two spots JUST opened for the kids film camp next week (Aug10-14) Ideal for Kids 8-12 Register at: https://www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com/c/products/summer-film-camp

07/28/2026

AUDITIONING FOR ANIMATION: TEENS!
(Age 12-18)
SATURDAY AUG 8th and SUNDAY AUG 9th
NOON - 3pm
$199 + hst (final price is 224.87)
School link in bio

In this fun and informative weekend intensive, students will dive into the world of auditioning for animation voiceover. This 2-day course will focus not only on bringing cartoon characters to life through voice acting technique, but also how to apply these skills to create memorable voice auditions that stand out from the crowd. We'll be covering:

-Introductory Voice Acting technique
-Analyzing scripts and character breakdowns
-Audition Instructions & Etiquette
-Bringing your uniqueness to your auditions
-Practical experience recording in our professional sound booth
-Hearing playback and getting direction in real time.

We'll be preparing an audition from start to finish. From the moment an actor first receives the script, to developing our performance, to the final product, we'll be breaking it down for you step-by-step so every student leaves feeling confident behind the mic! Whether you're a new voice actor who has a future goal of auditioning, or a working actor who'd like to refine their approach to their auditions and get a fresh perspective, this class will offer some great tips on bringing YOU to your auditions and letting your uniqueness and talent shine.

07/16/2026

Sharing - One week left to apply for the Women in Post program. https://www.academy.ca/programs/womeninpost

The Canadian Academy Women in Post program provides higher-level industry access and professional development for emerging to mid-level creatives working in all areas of post production.

07/07/2026

If you want to learn about movie making, attend Q&As as often as you are able to. Festival Director Nathan Fleet moderates tonights Q&A at The Westdale