Postponed Canadian Film Fest finds new home on Super Channel

TORONTO – The recently postponed Canadian Film Fest has found a new home on Super Channel.

Organizers say nine feature films and 25 shorts that were slated to screen at the annual festival will now air exclusively on the TV station Super Channel Fuse starting May 21.

The films will air over three consecutive weekends, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Canadian Film Fest was supposed to take place last month but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the partnership with Super Channel, the feature films will only be available on the linear broadcasts.

The short films will air on the TV station, too, peppered into the schedule around the feature film presentations.

The first feature film airing May 21 is “The Cuban,” directed by Sergio Navarretta and starring Ana Golja from “Degrassi: Next Class” and Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr.

The coming-of-age drama follows a young Afghan immigrant’s unexpected friendship with an elderly Cuban musician.

World premieres in the lineup include Justin McConnell’s documentary “Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business,” and Sam Coyle’s drama “Hazy Little Things,” about a writer who accidentally threatens suicide on social media.

Canadian Film Fest presented by Super Channel will also have an online component with pre-recorded and live Q-and-As with filmmakers.

The virtual version will also include access to industry programs such as panel discussions and a virtual awards presentation.

Further details will be announced at a later date.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2020.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said there would be 27 shorts that would be available on-demand, based on information provided in an early press release.