Forest City Gala © Courtesy of Omar Alvarado
When people think of film festivals in Canada, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) often takes top billing. But if you want a more intimate lens on the country’s culture and creativity, the best place to look is a midsize festival. Increasingly, that place is the Forest City Film Festival (FCFF), now entering its milestone 10th season.
Founded in 2015 by Executive Director Dorothy Downs, the Forest City Film Festival was born from a desire to spotlight filmmakers connected to Southwestern Ontario. What began with a handful of screenings has since grown into one of Canada’s fastest-rising film festivals, celebrated for its regional focus, vibrant programming, and immersive industry events.
“Our culture needs to be celebrated and nurtured to become more distinctly our own,” says Downs. “This film festival gives voice to some of the most talented filmmakers in the country. It’s a great place to discover new voices and meet the people who are shaping the future of our industry.”
FCFF 2025
This year’s festival, running October 24 to November 2, will present nearly 100 films over 10 days, alongside panel discussions, networking events, live music, and a wide array of special programming. Among the 70+ screenings will be 14 titles that recently premiered at TIFF, giving audiences west of Toronto a second chance to catch buzzworthy films in a more intimate setting.
Opening night sets the tone with a celebration of music and film, featuring music videos from across Southwestern Ontario, live performances by Amanda Keeles and Bern Unders, and an awards presentation recognizing the best in the music video category. The evening will also reveal the winners of the $77,000 Ontario Screen Creators Conference pitch prizes, one of the largest in the country for emerging filmmakers.
A major highlight this year is the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was awarded to renowned London-born actor Victor Garber last year. In 2025, the honour will be presented to David Shore, the Emmy-winning creator of House and The Good Doctor.
“It’s not just the people in front of the camera who deserve our admiration—it’s also the creators,” says Downs. “Many people may not know David by name, but his work has had a profound impact on television. It’s time we celebrated that.”
Fans of classic cinema will also have a Halloween treat: a candlelit screening of the 1924 silent horror film The Hands of Orlac at Metropolitan United Church. The film will be accompanied by a live orchestra, choir, and pipe organ, with a haunting original score by London composer Scott Good.
International cinema lovers can look forward to FCFF’s Best of the World Fests program, a curated selection of prize-winning films from Cannes, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, and other global festivals. These screenings bring some of the year’s most acclaimed international films to London audiences—films that might not otherwise be accessible outside of major cities.
“Our submissions are up, and the quality is through the roof,” says Downs. “We may offer a different experience from TIFF, but audiences from all over are going to be thrilled with what we’ve curated this year.”
Get Your Tickets
Tickets and full program details are available at fcff.ca.
With its community-driven spirit, world-class programming, and growing reputation, the Forest City Film Festival is making its mark as Canada’s midsize festival of choice.
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The FCFF shines a spotlight on the art of cinema through a regional lens, connecting Southwestern Ontario to national and global stories. Join us to experience and share our passion for film and the creative people who participate in making modern works of art.