About

Founded in 2007, GRFF is committed to celebrate and inspire community through the shared experience of film. Featuring compelling documentaries, engaging shorts and premiere features, GRFF presents an integrated cultural experience. The festival encourages community involvement through a shared love for cinema by offering unique and diverse programming with creative community partnerships.

Notable past guests include Academy Award director Yojiro Takita and actress Susan Sarandon, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, Juno award winners Rita Chiarelli, Paul James and Sylvia Tyson, prima ballerina Veronica Tennant, award winning Canadian directors Sturla Gunnarson, Charles Wilkinson, Bruce McDonald, and many other directors, actors, writers and producers in the film industry.

The Grand River Film Festival screens films on the territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. GRFF operates within the Haldimand Tract, land that was granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation includes learning, community building, and providing Indigenous voices space to tell their stories.

This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict. As you consider watching a film with us, we encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, who the traditional keepers of the land are, what the treaty relationship is, or if it’s unceded territory.