Celebrate 30 years of storytelling with the Kamloops Film Festival

The 30th annual Kamloops Film Festival (KFF) is marking a major cultural milestone by celebrating three decades of independent cinema, community storytelling, and regional film development in the heart of downtown Kamloops.

What began as a simple effort to bring high-quality films to local audiences has grown into one of the region’s most significant arts events. It blends international cinema, Canadian storytelling, and hands on industry training for emerging filmmakers across the British Columbia Interior.

This thrilling event runs from March 5 to 14 at the Paramount Theatre. The festival’s 30th anniversary edition aims to honour its legacy while looking toward the next generation of creators and audiences. This doesn’t just mark the program’s big milestone either, it also represents three decades of community building through film.

In the years since it’s inception, the Kamloops Film Festival has grown from a simple vision of bringing quality cinema to the city into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events.

“Thirty years is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community believes in the arts.
The Kamloops Film Festival has become a place where stories bring people together — sparking
conversation, creativity, and connection,” explained Colette Abbott, Executive Director of the Kamloops Film Society. “This milestone belongs to our audiences, volunteers, sponsors, filmmakers, and partners who have helped build something that’s now an essential part of Kamloops’ cultural calendar.”

The festival began with a straightforward goal: giving Kamloops audiences access to films they might not otherwise have the chance to see. Over the years, programming has expanded alongside the community it serves.

“The Festival started with a simple goal: to bring quality films to Kamloops . . . While the scale has changed, that original desire to connect people with exceptional stories remains the same,” Abbott said.

Today, the festival presents a diverse slate of international cinema, Canadian storytelling, and special event screenings designed to engage both dedicated cinephiles and casual moviegoers.

This year’s lineup reflects that balance of celebration and momentum, featuring Oscar-nominated titles alongside Canadian narratives such as the hockey drama Youngblood.

Other notable selections include the historical and music-infused film The Testament of Ann Lee, which blends Shaker movement history with meditative musical storytelling.

A key focus of the festival’s 2026 programming is the return of Learn About Film (LAF), a two-day industry seminar presented by the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission in collaboration with the Kamloops Film Society.

The program is designed to address a persistent challenge for filmmakers in the British Columbia Interior, which is access to professional training and industry networking.

“Filmmakers in our region often have to travel to Vancouver or beyond to access professional development and industry connections,” Abbott said.

“Learn About Film . . . brings experienced professionals directly to Kamloops, reducing barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for early- and mid-career creators to gain skills, expand networks, and see a pathway forward without leaving the region.”

Travel, accommodation, and registration costs can be significant obstacles for emerging artists, and hosting training locally helps make professional development more attainable.

“We want participants to leave with tangible skills, meaningful industry connections, and a clearer sense that a sustainable career in film is possible from this region,” Abbott said. “Where the KFF showcases finished films, Learn About Film is about supporting and developing the next generation of filmmakers.”

As a charitable organization, the Kamloops Film Society prioritizes keeping festival programming accessible to a broad audience.

Ticket pricing has been structured to reduce barriers, with discounts available for students and seniors. The festival also offers community ticketing initiatives providing free access to equity deserving organizations, along with partnerships such as the local library’s Movie Pass program.

“We want as many people as possible to experience the festival,” Abbott said. “And we know ticket prices can be a real barrier.”

Community events such as Flavours and Flicks connect festival programming with local businesses and restaurants across downtown Kamloops, helping transform the festival into a city-wide cultural experience.

“The KFF truly is a city-wide celebration,” Abbott said. “. . . collaboration allows the festival to extend beyond the theatre and into the broader community.”

The return of the Kamloops Independent Short Shorts (KISS) Fest provides a dedicated platform for regional filmmakers working in short-form storytelling.

The free showcase, running March 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, features films up to five minutes long across youth, amateur, and professional categories.

Festival organizers say the event consistently reveals the strength of local creativity.

“KISS Fest is always inspiring because it highlights the depth of talent in our own backyard. Seeing youth, emerging, and professional filmmakers share the same screen reinforces that storytelling is thriving in the Thompson-Nicola region,” Abbott explained.

This year also introduces a $2,000 scholarship supporting further education at the Centre for Arts and Technology. The scholarship is intended to provide practical assistance for an emerging filmmaker seeking to continue developing their craft.

Industry programming at the festival is supported by organizations including Creative BC, IATSE Local 891, and the Canadian Media Producers’ Association.

Such partnerships help sustain professional development programming while keeping events affordable and high-quality.

“Regional festivals rely on collaboration,” Abbott explained. “Financial support, in-kind contributions, and promotional partnerships all contribute to sustainability. They allow us to keep ticket prices accessible, expand programming, and continue serving both audiences and creators.”

Organizations interested in future collaboration are encouraged to connect through the festival website or reach out directly to the Kamloops Film Society.

The festival’s industry training, scholarship opportunities, and showcase platforms are all designed to help sustain the region’s growing filmmaking community.

As the festival reaches its 30th year, Abbott emphasized that the event is as much about community as it is about cinema.

“The Kamloops Film Festival has become a place where stories bring people together,” Abbott said.

The 30th annual Kamloops Film Festival runs March 5 to 14, with tickets, passes, and full lineup information available at the festival website.