Kamloops Film Festival Marks 30 Years of Celebrating Film, Community, and Culture – The Kamloops Film Society
February 11, 2026
30th Annual Kamloops Film Festival
March 5–14, 2026 at the Paramount Theatre
Tickets & Passes Available at KamloopsFilmFest.ca
The Kamloops Film Society is proud to present the 30th edition of the Kamloops Film Festival, taking place March 5–14, 2026 at the historic Paramount Theatre. This milestone celebrates three decades of bringing people together through film and underscores the Festival’s vital role in Kamloops’ cultural life.
Over ten days, festival-goers can look forward to an engaging slate of Canadian and international feature films, a short film competition, two-day industry seminar, and special events for movie-lovers of all ages—culminating in a lively Closing Night celebration.
“For 30 years, the Kamloops Film Festival has been a place where stories bring people together—sparking conversation, creativity, and community,” says Colette Abbott, Executive Director of the Kamloops Film Society. “This anniversary edition celebrates that legacy while looking toward the next generation of filmmakers and audiences.”
“The Festival is an opportunity to discover films you didn’t know you were seeking, to share a new experience with your friends and your community,” says Festival Programmer, Sam Theriault. “We’re grateful to our audiences, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners for making it possible to keep bringing the best of independent and international cinema to Kamloops.”
The Festival kicks off March 5th with a Red Carpet Reception featuring a wine tasting from the Kamloops Wine Trail leading into a screening of the Canadian drama, Youngblood (dir. Hubert Davis). A contemporary Canadian remake of the 1986 film, the film stars Ashton James as Dean Youngblood, a Black junior hockey player dreaming of the NHL.
Rounding out the Canadian selections are the feature documentary The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes (dir. Jenn Strom) that chronicles the life, art, and legacy of the renowned British Columbia landscape painter; alongside Meadowlarks (dir. Tasha Hubbard), an emotional drama following four-siblings, separated by the Sixties Scoop, as they come together over a week; and Mile End Kicks (dir. Chandler Levack), a sharp rom-com starring Barbie Ferreira as a 24-year-old music critic navigating life in Montreal. Mile End Kicks will be preceded by a short, high-energy set from local band Janky Eyed Jury.
Festival audiences can catch these 2026 Oscar-nominated films on the big screen: It Was Just An Accident (2 nominations including Best Original Screenplay), Arco (Nominee – Best Animated Feature), The Secret Agent (4 nominations including Best Actor), and Cutting Through Rocks (Nominee – Best Documentary Feature).
This year’s Family Event on Saturday, March 7th invites audiences to travel back in time with the 1939 Technicolor classic The Wizard of Oz. Arrive early for photo opportunities with costumed characters.
Tea & Tunes on Thursday, March 12th invites patrons to enjoy tea, cookies, and smooth jazz by Jeremy Kneeshaw ahead of the 2:00 pm screening of Unfinished Song. This feel-good story follows a grumpy pensioner navigating his wife Marion’s (Vanessa Redgrave) unconventional local choir antics.
Music also becomes a powerful thread in The Testament of Ann Lee, a visually striking portrait of the Shaker movement starring Amanda Seyfried (2026 Golden Globe Awards Nominee – Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy) that blends song, ritual, and history into a meditative cinematic experience.
Emerging and mid-career filmmakers from BC’s Interior have the opportunity to advance their careers through Learn About Film (LAF), presented in partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission. This two-day (March 7–8) event offers hands-on workshops, networking, and one-on-one meetings with industry professionals from across Canada.
Also returning is the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Festival, a free public showcase on Sunday, March 8th at 3:00 p.m., celebrating five-minute films by filmmakers from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, with cash awards and a filmmaker reception.
The Kamloops Film Festival is a city-wide celebration of film, engaging audiences across downtown through special events and local collaborations. KFF partners with the Kamloops Wine Trail once again to present Flavours & Flicks, a 10-day celebration of local food, wine, and film, where local festival-goers can enjoy specially curated food and wine menus featured at participating restaurants, Cordo Resto & Bar, The Noble Pig, Twisted Steak, The Manila Social, Rebo’s Argentine Cuisine, and Mittz Kitchen.
Other fan-favourite events include the Wine-ing Discussion at Cordo Resto & Bar on Wednesday, March 11, and Brewing Discussion at The Noble Pig on Thursday, March 12.
The 30th Annual Kamloops Film Festival wraps up with Movie Trivia Night on Friday, March 13th, leading into our Rustic Hollywood–themed Closing Night Party at the Delta Hotel on Saturday, March 14th. Guests are invited to embrace plaid, cozy layers, or a touch of sparkle while enjoying campfire-themed fare and woodsy decor as we toast our filmmakers, volunteers, and supporters.
To commemorate the 30th KFF, limited-edition t-shirts and stickers will be available exclusively at the Paramount Theatre during the festival.
Individual tickets, Full Festival passes, and 5-Film and 10-Film packs are now available online at kamloopsfilmfest.ca and in person at the Paramount Theatre during open hours.
The Kamloops Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, along with the City of Kamloops, Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, and our generous sponsors including Stingray Radio, Thompson-Nicola Film Commission, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops, Cordo Resto & Bar, Tourism Kamloops, iNFOnews, Castanet, CFJC-TV – Pattison Media, IATSE Local 891, UBCP/ACTRA, Teníye Local Market, and Innovation Denture Center.
Learn more at kamloopsfilmfest.ca
About the Kamloops Film Society
The Kamloops Film Society (KFS) is a charitable organization (#847953684 RR0001) dedicated to bringing the world to Kamloops through film and screen-based events at the Paramount Theatre. The Kamloops Film Society curates diverse programming, supports local filmmakers, and collaborates with our community to create inclusive cultural experiences and build a vibrant arts ecosystem. The Society has served the community for over 50 years and officially incorporated under the British Columbia Societies Act on August 17, 1994.
Website & Socials
Website: www.thekfs.ca
Instagram/Facebook: @kamloopsfilmsociety
Letterboxd: @paramountkfs
Kamloops Film Society
The Kamloops Film Society is the umbrella organization that operates the Paramount Theatre and runs two main events: The Thursday Film Series and the annual March Kamloops Film Festival, which includes the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts Festival. The KFS has been operating for over 45 years and was officially incorporated under the BC Societies Act on August 17, 1994. In the spring of 2019, The Kelson Group purchased the Paramount Theatre and leased the venue to the KFS. The support of The Kelson Group and Ron Fawcett has made the venture possible as The KFS continues to make the theatre a cultural venue.
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