KINGSTON, ON (February 10, 2026) – Executives, creators, and decision-makers from Canada's screen industries will gather in Kingston as the Kingston Canadian Film Festival announces its professional programming during the five-day celebration of Canadian cinema and culture (Feb. 25 – March 1). Representatives from industry pillars including TIFF, the Canadian Academy, Bell Media, CBC, New Metric Media, Shaftesbury, Telefilm, and WIFT, join forces with key unions, guilds, and cultural organizations for intensive networking and development opportunities on Feb. 27 and 28.
The third annual CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DAY (Feb. 27) – an entirely free joint initiative between KCFF and Queen's Film & Media with support from the City of Kingston - has quickly become one of the festival's signature events. The full-day program at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts and Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning, delivers targeted panels on directing, screenwriting, comedy television, music, and more. Following the formal programming, an industry mixer creates direct connections between emerging talent and established professionals, with participation from dozens of Festival guests, industry pros, Queen’s alumni, key unions, and other organizations involved in the creative industries. New this year is an interactive set, tied to a recent Queen’s training production at Kingston Penitentiary. Last year's event drew close to 1,200 participants.
"We're seeing KCFF evolve into a genuine industry hub, not just a showcase," observed Alex Jansen, Creative Industries Day Director and Continuing Adjunct Lecturer at Queen's Film & Media. "The caliber of professionals making time for our students—including Queen's graduates now working at the highest levels—speaks to the real value of these connections."
Among the confirmed participants are filmmakers Chell Stephen, Evan Dubinsky, Alison Reid, and Xiaodan He; comedy creators Shaun Majumder, Mark Montefiore, Sarah Fowlie, and Samantha Mastai; and musicians Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay Goldstein (July Talk).
Later that day, Tourism Kingston’s Film & Media Office presents Kingston Script to Screen, a live pitch competition where five emerging creators take the stage to present original film and television concepts to industry experts. The interactive event features pitches ranging from scripted comedies and animated series to feature documentaries and historical dramas. The audience will experience the pitch process firsthand, watching as panelists provide constructive, real-time feedback that reveals how projects move from concept to screen. The competition winner will receive an all-access pass to major industry events throughout the year plus mentorship from Shaftesbury, a leading Canadian TV production company, making this one of KCFF's most valuable opportunities for creators and one of its most revealing events for film lovers curious about the art of development.
The next day (Feb. 28), Tourism Kingston's Film & Media office presents an exclusive location showcase, offering producers, directors, and location scouts an intimate look at Kingston's diverse filming environments, including the S.S. Keewatin, the only Titanic-era steamship still in existence. The centerpiece: unprecedented access to Kingston Penitentiary, the only historic prison shooting location in North America. Recent shoots at the site include Mayor of Kingstown, John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, The Greatest, and Harlan Coben's I Will Find You. A VIP breakfast preceding the tour will spotlight Kingston's growing reputation as a production-ready community.
“Kingston offers production teams exactly what they’re looking for: versatility, accessibility, and distinctive locations,” noted Joanne Loton, Film Commissioner, Tourism Kingston. “KCFF allows us to demonstrate how Kingston stands out as one of Canada’s most versatile and film-friendly cities. Our crown jewel, Kingston Penitentiary, along with our diverse architectural and natural backdrops, continues to attract top-tier projects—and events like this let us showcase that potential firsthand.”
A full list of the dozens of industry professionals expected to attend KCFF can be found here.
As previously announced, KCFF is proud to present opening night film YOUNGBLOOD. Also previously announced are an extensive lineup of music-focused programming as part of the Amherst Island Radio Music Series, and engaging comedy programming as part of the ShozerTV Comedy Showcase. A total of 15 short films from filmmakers across the country are featured in KCFF’s Canadian Shorts program. Additionally, KCFF is proud to showcase local Kingston filmmakers in its Doc Factory, 18MM and Slaight Music Video programs, as well as KCFF’s Local Shorts program, featuring eight short-form films from Kingston-based talent.
In all, the festival presents more than 100 individual films over more than five dozen screenings. The festival also programs more than 30 non-film events, including live music concerts and stand-up comedy. Performing this year at KCFFF26 are recently announced musical artists Arkells along with Bif Naked, July Talk, Born Ruffians, and Julianna Riolino, as well as comedians Shaun Majumder, Mark Forward, K. Trevor Wilson,and Guled Abdi.
KCFF26 wraps up Sunday, March 1 with a closing night event featuring the awarding of nine awards, including the Playback Prize for Best Canadian Feature ($5,000) and the Visual Menace Best First Feature Award ($2,500), as determined by the festival jury.
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Tickets
While there is plenty of free programming to be enjoyed, most KCFF tickets start at only $16.50 with passes at $95. For the full lineup, showtimes and tickets, visit kingcanfilmfest.com.
The 2026 Kingston Canadian Film Festival is presented by TD Bank Group. Premier partners are the Slaight Family Foundation, Amherst Island Radio, and Cogeco. Major supporters are ACFOMI, Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront, Downtown Kingston BIA, Kingston Community Credit Union, Homestead, Marriott Kingston, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, Shaftesbury, and Tourism Kingston. KCFF benefits from the patronage of Diane Blake & Stephen Smith, the Norman & Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation, the McLean Smits Family Foundation, and the Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation. Join the KCFF Circle of Supporters here or learn about sponsorship opportunities here.