The 21st Hamilton Film Festival runs October 16–25 across Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, The Westdale, Playhouse Cinema and Epic Books on Locke Street. Check each programme’s venue before travelling.
October 16, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: opening gala at 6 p.m.; Local Shorts at 8 p.m., with 90 minutes of films followed by a Q&A.
October 17, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: Industry Day networking at 10 a.m.; John May screenwriting master class hosted by Terrance Odette at 11 a.m. Screenings: Unsung Heroes: The Quiet Magic of Alpacas at 1 p.m. (60-minute film, plus Q&A); Cows Come Home at 3:30 p.m. (102-minute film, plus Q&A); Phreaker at 7 p.m. (98-minute film). Jingleman screens at 9:30 p.m. (80-minute comedy, $12). Industry Day registration is full; attendance is for pass holders and registered guests, with a rush line only if seats become available.
October 18, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: The Pitch competition begins at 10 a.m.; all participant spots are claimed. Kids Can Film is marked selling fast; The Murder That Never Happened screens at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A.
October 21, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: Short Docs begins at 6:30 p.m., with a 95-minute programme followed by a filmmaker Q&A.
October 22, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: A Possession in Lincoln County, a 72-minute found-footage film followed by a Q&A; start time TBA. Anorgasmia screens at 9 p.m. ($12).
October 23, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre: The Coalition at noon; Hamont Acting Studio Short Films at 7 p.m.; Thrills and Chills at 9 p.m.
October 24: Hangashore screens at 11:30 a.m. at The Westdale ($12). The Bookstore That Never Sleeps screens at 6:30 p.m. inside Epic Books, 226 Locke Street South. This 25-minute documentary has extremely limited tickets, sold through FilmFreeway via the festival programme.
October 25: Voices From a Concrete Ceiling screens at 1 p.m. at Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Avenue North, and is marked selling fast. Hamilton LOFT Shorts begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Westdale.
Session end times and remaining unpublished slots are still being confirmed. A film runtime does not include a following Q&A. Opening-night tickets are $15 plus HST; several individual screenings are $12. The Binge Watcher Pass is $169.50 including tax.
Current schedule and individual tickets: hamiltonfilmfestival.com/festival
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre · 357 Wilson Street East
Venue details →Parking is available behind the centre and in nearby public lots.