Barrie Film Festival returns with local stories, global impact

The Barrie Film Festival is back this weekend, bringing cinematic magic to the city with a lineup that blends local pride, Canadian storytelling, and international flair. It's a "labour of love" for Executive Director Claudine Benoit, and it shows in the thoughtful curation and community engagement that define the festival.

“We start watching films in the summertime,” Benoit explained. “Sometimes it’s immediate—you’ll watch a film and go, yes, audiences have to see this. Other times, we want to challenge them a bit. It’s all about variety and making sure people walk away saying, ‘That was worth seeing.’”

Opening Night: A Nod to Barrie

The opening night feature is Young Blood, a contemporary remake of the 1986 classic, filmed partly at Barrie’s Sadlon Arena. Local fans may spot familiar faces in the crowd scenes, and the screening will feature appearances by stars Ashton James and Amidio Lopez, along with casting director Larissa Mayer—well-known in Barrie as a founding member of Theatre by the Bay.

Listen to our full interview with Claudine Benoit, it begins at the 8:53 mark

Canadian Content Front and Centre

Seven Canadian films will be showcased, including Silver Screamers, a heartwarming documentary about seniors learning to make a horror film. Director Sean Cisterna will attend a Q&A following the Monday night screening.

Another highlight is Little Lorraine, inspired by a true story from Cape Breton in the 1980s. The film explores how a small town, reeling from a mine closure, became a hub for drug smuggling. “It’s a great story with a surprising ending,” Benoit teased.

Nika and Madison, which premiered at TIFF, tells the powerful story of two young Indigenous women navigating the justice system. “It’s an important story… really well told, really well acted,” Benoit said.

Global Gems & Local Voices

The festival opens with a New Zealand film never before screened in Canada. Tina follows a grieving teacher who finds healing through music and cultural connection at an elite school. “It’s beautiful,” Benoit said. “A heartfelt story about resilience and tradition.”

Barrie’s own talent will shine in the short film showcase, featuring regional filmmakers of all ages—many seeing their work on the big screen for the first time. Awards and a lively reception will follow.

More Than Just Movies

“It’s a community,” Benoit emphasized. “Watching things together—there’s something magical about that. Our films are very story-driven, and they inspire great conversation. I love seeing people stop and talk about the movies.”

For those who’ve never attended, Benoit offers this advice: “Take a chance on something you might not think you want to see—you may just love it.”

Tickets and full schedule available at BarrieFilmFestival.ca. Don’t wait—some screenings are expected to sell out quickly.