North Bay Film Festival is thrilled to share the highlights from our inaugural event, held from September 29th to October 2nd, 2016. We had an incredible weekend celebrating the art of filmmaking and recognizing the exceptional talents of our award winners.

Our Audience Choice Award for Feature Film went to ‘Into the Forest,’ directed by Patricia Rozema. This gripping film captivated our audience and secured their votes. ‘The Messenger,’ directed by Su Rynard, received the Audience Choice Award for Feature Documentary, resonating deeply with viewers through its powerful storytelling.

The Jury Prize for Feature Film was awarded to ‘It’s Only the End of the World,’ directed by Xavier Dolan, whose cinematic brilliance left a lasting impression on our judges. ‘How to Build a Time Machine,’ directed by Jay Cheel, earned the Jury Prize for Feature Documentary, impressing with its innovative approach and compelling narrative.

In the short film category, ‘Kubo’s Crickets,’ directed by Michael Allcock, won the Jury Prize for Canadian Short Film, showcasing remarkable creativity and talent. We also presented the Emerging Student Filmmaker Award to Dale Carrigan for ‘Camani,’ recognizing the outstanding potential and skill displayed in this exceptional work.

The celebration culminated in an official Awards Ceremony sunset cruise on Lake Nipissing. It was a memorable evening as we announced the Best in Shorts and Emerging Student Filmmaker Awards. Thank you to everyone who joined us in person to celebrate these talented filmmakers and their remarkable achievements. You can learn more about the awards ceremony here.

For those who couldn’t attend, we hope this update brings you a sense of the excitement and joy shared over the weekend. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who supported the North Bay Film Festival’s inaugural event!