– The 25th anniversary edition of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF25) wrapped up at a gala last night where cash prizes representing the best in Canadian film were awarded for the first time. Opening Night film BERGERS (SHEPHERDS) by director Sophie Deraspe received the $5,000 Playback Best Canadian Feature Award, while Maryse Legagneur’s LE DERNIER REPAS (THE LAST MEAL) was presented with the $2,500 Branded to Film Award for Best First Feature. After voting by a record 15,750 attendees at the festival, Patrice Sauvé’s LE PETITE ET LE VIEUX (BLUE SKY JO) won the Cogego People’s Choice Award, making it a three-peat for French-language films from Québec at KCFF25. Overall, eleven films took home awards at the largest all-Canadian film and cultural festival in the world.
The inaugural cash awards were juried by acclaimed Kingston filmmaker Clarke Mackey, POV Magazine publisher Pat Mullen, and Exclaim! magazine film editor Rachel Ho:
Playback Best Canadian Feature Award: SHEPHERDS (Sophie Deraspe)
“This poetic film hit the jury like a burst of fresh air. By harnessing one man’s desire to quit the rat race and connect with nature, SHEPHERDS offers a refreshingly contemporary take on pastoral filmmaking, capturing the awesome power of the French Alps with a cinematic eye. The note-perfect cast includes captivating lead actor, Félix-Antoine Duval, memorable supporting players, and an ensemble of well-herded sheep. By bringing this true story to the screen, the film reminds us of our intimate connection to the Earth, but also our responsibility to it.”
Branded to Film Award for Best First Feature: THE LAST MEAL (Maryse Legagneur)
“Having an expansive scope for a first feature isn’t unusual, but to create a film that matches that ambition fresh out of the gate is a remarkable feat. By weaving two stories separated by time and space into a poignant and heartfelt film about grief, family, and forgiveness, the filmmaker demonstrates a bold and singular vision that we’re excited to witness for years to come.”
Cogeco People’s Choice Award: BLUE SKY JO (Patrice Sauvé)
The winner for best French-language feature at Cinéfest and one of Quebec’s most warmly received films of the year, director Patrice Sauvé’s drama movingly conveys the warmth and solace that we can sometimes find in the people near us, provided we’re ready to look for them.
During the course of the five-day festival, more than 80 individual films were screened, as well as live music concerts, stand-up comedy, and “in conversation” events. KCFF25 attracted 160+ industry guests who participated in Q&As, Creative Industries Day at Queen’s University, the Tourism Kingston Film & Media brunch, location scouts, and more.
Additional winners at KCFF25 include:
Canadian Shorts
FANTAS (Halima Elkhatabi)
Local Shorts
UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE HARVEST MOON (Noah Levac)
18 MMTraining and Mentorship Program for Youth
LAST STOP (Saif Amer)
“The Curse is Gone” by Almond Milk (Yeah No For Sure Production) – jury
“Revolution” by Kasador (Little Menace Productions) – audience
Youth Shorts Program
ISN’T EVEN ROSES (Anqi Guo)
DUST IN THE GATES (Alan Code)
Douglas J. Falconer Award of Excellence
Melissa Eapen
Nearly 100% of films screening at KCFF featured live post-screening Q&As with visiting talent. Guests attending KCFF25 included Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Félix-Antoine Duval, Matthew Rankin, Sook-Yin Lee, Bill Welychka, Mike Downie, Rob Baker, Dale Heslip, Karen Chapman, Eva Thomas, Annick Blanc, Ben Petrie, Daniel Maslany, Kazik Radwanski, Michael Clowater, Stephen Chung, Simon Ennis, Patrice Sauve, José Lourenço, and Joanne Robertson, among approximately 150 others.
KCFF25 also welcomed film and television star Jay Baruchel; comedians Jeremy Hotz, Carolyn Taylor, Alllie Pearse and Olivia Stadler; and musical artists Donovan Woods and Dwayne Gretzky, among many others.
The 2025 Kingston Canadian Film Festival is presented by TD and Tourism Kingston. Major supporters include Kingston Accommodation Partners, Cogeco, Amherst Island Radio, the Slaight Family Foundation, Downtown Kingston BIA, the Norman and Margaret Jewison Charitable Foundation, and Diane Blake and Stephen Smith. Join the KCFF Circle of Supporters here or donate here.
About the Kingston Canadian Film Festival
The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is the largest festival in the world dedicated exclusively to Canadian film. Founded in 2001, KCFF is a charitable cultural organization that provides access to Canadian film in a dynamic festival setting. Transforming traditional and unconventional venues across Kingston’s historic downtown, KCFF is an annual whirlwind of movies and special events that spark curiosity, ignite discussion and provide a fresh experience of Canadian film. Each year, long-time festival goers and first-time enthusiasts can explore screenings, Q+As, parties, workshops, networking events, live music, stand-up comedy and exhibitions.
Previous visiting filmmakers include Atom Egoyan, Deepa Mehta, Alanis Obomsawin, Don McKellar, Mina Shum, Matt Johnson, Brigitte Berman, Jeff Barnaby and many more. Past performers attending KCFF include Gerry Dee, Cathy Jones, Bif Naked, Gordon Pinsent and casts from BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW, LETTERKENNY, MR. D, TRAILER PARK BOYS, KIDS IN THE HALL and THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, among others.
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