About Us
The Guelph Film Festival is dedicated to expanding the proliferation of voices and perspectives of all kinds through the presentation of stories that explore themes of social justice, the environment, and community building.
We have a long history of inspiring community engagement and an appreciation for the arts by connecting people through stories of global reach and local relevance.
We are serious about promoting gender parity and diversity in the film industry and every decision we make is guided by principles of inclusion and anti-oppression.
Our programming includes (at least):
This is not a target, it is our rule.
Our Mission:
The mission of the GFF is to inspire community engagement and appreciation of the arts. Our programming focuses on documentary films that respond to our three priorities: social justice, the environment, and community building. The GFF sees each film it presents as a catalyst for change by inspiring discussion and outreach. Each year we host special guests to lead post-film talks including directors, film subjects, or knowledgeable community members to connect film content to local initiatives.
These discussions are as important as the films as they bring local connections to the film's context and create a deeper impact.
We continue to grow our audience and increase our capacity for outreach, dialogue, and impact by highlighting films with challenging and important subject matter that is highly relevant to our time and place.
The GFF began in 1984, making it one of the oldest documentary festivals in the world.
As the only film festival in the city, it is important to screen independent documentaries, on relevant and influential subjects, that would otherwise not be seen in Guelph. The GFF brings our diverse community together, inspiring learning about our shared world, provoking new ideas, building a greater appreciation for the art of film, and sharing a common experience.
Going forward, our priorities include building relationships with indigenous communities and presenting indigenous-made films, attracting more youth and diverse audiences including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and those living with disabilities.
