International Film Festival of Ottawa

IFFO’s closing night featured one of the most eclectic, challenging and moving works of the whole festival.

Taking a brief interlude from screening brand-new international films, IFFO turned its attention to an important piece of Canadian cinema history near the end of the festival’s run – a 4K restoration of the early queer film by David Secter, Winter Kept us Warm (1965).

The Ottawa Art Gallery screened Rêver en néon and Café des cauchemars on March 21, 2025 as part of the International Film Festival of Ottawa, which ended on March 23.

Something must be in the water in Naples—the single Italian city has a long history of young filmmakers coming out of the gate with fully formed artistic sensibilities and remarkably refined work. This phenomenon can be traced from old masters like Vittorio De Sica to contemporary artists like Paolo Sorrentino and Mario Martone.

Borrowing the central conceit from the Italian classic Bicycle Thieves, Lebanese filmmaker Mira Shaib creates an eclectic and endearing tribute to her home city of Beirut in her feature debut, Arzé.

To A Land Unknown, Palestinian filmmaker Mahdi Fleifel’s first narrative feature, could at first be mistaken for another of the documentaries for which he is known. The film’s grittiness and uncompromising, in-your-face realism, not to mention the story’s parallels with Fleifel’s life, could so easily be reality that it takes a moment to realize it is not.

Grand Tour is one of the highest-profile films playing at IFFO this year thanks to the notable names involved. The Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes has been a mainstay on the festival circuit since his 2012 breakout hit, Tabu.

With the news this week that the Rideau Canal Skateway has closed for the season and warmer temperatures in the forecast, it feels like we’re slowly but surely making our way towards spring. This weekend we’ve got an exciting mix of St. Patrick’s Day festivities and March break activities.

The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) brings the world’s best cinema to Canada’s Capital. The Festival’s fifth edition takes place in downtown Ottawa from March 12 to 23, at the theatres in the Ottawa Art Gallery and Bytowne Cinema.

Only time will tell if, after coming in like a lion last weekend, March will go out like a lamb, but this coming weekend looks like the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy either outdoor activities or indoor events.

The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) is proud to celebrate its third edition with an entirely in-person experience.

Our latest movie picks include the International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) in addition to what’s playing at The ByTowne and Mayfair Theatre.

With daylight savings bringing an extra hour of sunshine to our wakeful time and the promise of light at the end of our workday, we hope this puts a little spring in your step ahead of the official change in seasons next weekend. There is plenty to do with that bit of extra pep this weekend, so without further ado, we give you: the Weekend Roundup.

The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) launches its in-person festival March 9, 2022, providing cinephiles and Ottawa locals with the opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of 50+ globally recognized shorts and features.