A decade of storytelling: Southwestern Ontario’s Forest City Film Festival celebrates its biggest year yet

Audience members fill the seats at London’s Wolf Performance Hall during a Forest City Film Festival screening, where the magic of regional storytelling comes to life on the big screen.

Brittany Whelan

Industry and Special Events Coordinator

Picture this: I was eight years old when a major movie production rolled into my small town in Southwestern Ontario. The downtown transformed into a film set, and I can remember my mother dragging me by hand to a gleaming white limousine. Security moved to stop us, but Julianne Moore said it was okay and signed my scrap of paper. I didn’t know it then, but that brief exchange was the spark that led me to study film and pursue a career in the industry—because film doesn’t just entertain, it inspires, connects people, and fuels local economies. Now I work for the Forest City Film Festival, where we help champion the next generation of regional storytellers.

For the past decade, the Forest City Film Festival (FCFF) has celebrated the stories and talent of Southwestern Ontario. Uniting movie lovers, empowering creators, and contributing to a $30 million regional film industry. And the inspiration doesn’t stop with film. This year, we’re honouring London native David Shore, creator of HOUSE M.D. and THE GOOD DOCTOR—whose work has influenced not only storytellers, but a generation of doctors and healthcare professionals.

That spark I felt as a kid was the same kind of magic our founder and executive director Dorothy Downs wanted to share when she launched the FCFF in 2015. A year later, her vision came to life at the Wolf Performance Hall with a three-day event showcasing 25 regionally connected films, capped by a sold-out gala featuring local screenwriter Emma Donoghue. By 2017, FCFF had nearly doubled its programming, introducing an animation category, an international screening, and extending the festival to five days.

2018 brought a dose of nostalgia with a screening of THE BREAKFAST CLUB and a live Q&A with London-born actor John Kapelos. Plus, the launch of the Short Film Pitch Competition which gave emerging creators the chance to bring their ideas to life. In 2019, the inaugural Forest City Youth Film Festival took centre stage, spotlighting the voices of high school filmmakers from across the region.

When the world went online in 2020, FCFF adapted with a fully digital festival, introducing a Music Video category, virtual Q&As, and on-demand access that connected audiences across Canada. 2021 marked the rebrand of our industry programming into the Ontario Screen Creators Conference, complete with a national-scale Project Pitch competition offering a $60,000 prize package. In 2022, we expanded our lens with curated Indigenous programming and “Best of the World Fest” (BOWF), bringing highlights from Cannes, TIFF, Sundance, and Berlinale to our local audiences.

By 2024, London’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music inspired an electrifying opening night of live performances, music videos, and a world premiere. We also introduced our Lifetime Achievement in Entertainment Award, honouring London born Victor Garber in a star-studded celebration with surprise appearances from Jennifer Garner, Eugene Levy and Martin Short.

This year, as we mark our 10th anniversary, we invite you to be part of 10 unforgettable days with more than 100 films, 60+ events, and experiences that celebrate the power of storytelling. From our high-energy music video opening night to a haunting Halloween screening, and the very best in regional cinema in between, the Forest City Film Festival is where culture, creativity, and community meet on the big screen. 

Audiences will enjoy stories from across Southwestern Ontario, featuring films from Stratford, Cambridge, Hamilton, and beyond, showcasing the region’s richness and diversity. Hollywood comes to London with our Lifetime Achievement Award Reception, where Emmy-winning creator David Shore will be honoured in a glamorous evening of signature drinks, generous hors d’oeuvres, and an exciting silent auction. Attendees can also explore the best international films or cheer on the next generation of filmmakers. With so much to see and do, there’s truly something for everyone at this year’s festival.

So grab your tickets, load up on popcorn, and join us at the theater—because in every seat, there’s a dream waiting to be sparked, and a story waiting to be told.

Visit fcff.ca to explore the full program and join the celebration.

The Paris Independent and Grand Haven Newspapers are proud sponsors of the Forest City Film Festival. We believe in supporting local arts and storytelling, and we invite our readers to join in celebrating this milestone year. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic—check out the full lineup at fcff.ca and experience the festival for yourself!