CULTURE & COMMUNICATIONS
Culture Advocate & Storytelling Champion
Scott Henderson is the former Vice-President of Communications for Bell Media, where he helped showcase ground-breaking original Canadian television, from Canadian Idol and Corner Gas to MasterChef Canada and Letterkenny.
SELECTED ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE COST OF HEAVEN wins Playback Prize for Best Film at Kingston Canadian Film Festival
– Mathieu Denis’ powerful drama joins two other French-language films in Québec sweep
of top prizes at KCFF26 –
KINGSTON, ON (March 2, 2026) – For the second year in a row, French-language films have won the major awards at Kingston Canadian Film Festival, led by Mathieu’s Denis’ THE COST OF HEAVEN, winner of the $5,000 Playback Prize for Best Film. The 26th edition of the festival wrapped up at a gala last night where Éric K. Boulianne’s FOLLIES was presented with the $2,500 Visual Menace Best First Feature Award and Xiaodan He’s MONTRÉAL, MY BEAUTIFUL received the COGECO’s People’s Choice Award. Michèle Stephenson’s moving documentary TRUE NORTH, about 1969 student protests against racism at Montréal’s Concordia University, received a special mention from the jury. Overall, KCFF presented a record 13 awards for projects at the at the largest all-Canadian film and cultural festival in the world.
KCFF’s five-day festival, held February 25–March 1, showcased more than 100 individual films and television episodes across 60+ screenings, 85% of which sold out. The event welcomed more than 300 industry professionals to Kingston and set a new attendance record with 16,000 tickets sold. In addition to the screenings, KCFF programmed more than 30 special events, ranging from live music performances and stand-up comedy to various industry-focused gatherings.
Heated Rivalry to Close 26th Annual Kingston Canadian Film Festival, March 1
– Jacob Tierney’s smash sensation heads to hockey’s home after his film The Trotsky
wins audience award at KCFF10 –
– “Beyond the Cottage: Inside the Heated Rivalry Revolution” features panelists Lori Fischburg, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Angie Fazekus, and Kyle Rich with moderator Liz Duff –
– Tickets now on sale –
KINGSTON, ON (February 12, 2026) – One of the biggest TV shows in the world right now has been selected as the closing event at the 26th annual Kingston Canadian Film Festival, it was announced today. A fan-favourite episode of pop-culture phenomenon Heated Rivalry will be presented on the big screen on Sunday, March 1 followed by the panel “Beyond the Cottage: Inside the Heated Rivalry Revolution.” Presented in association with Crave, the panel features Heated Rivalry producer Lori Fischburg, cultural experts, and moderator Liz Duff. The premier all-Canadian film and cultural festival in the world, KCFF26 runs Feb. 25 – March 1, with tickets available now for the Heated Rivalry event.
Created by award-winning Canadian writer/director/producer Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky, winner of the Audience Award at KCFF2010, Letterkenny, Shoresy) and based on the best-selling Canadian book series Game Changers by Rachel Reid, the six-episode, one-hour Crave Original series follows the fierce rivalry-turned-romance between two professional hockey players. Since its November 2025 premiere, Heated Rivalryhas become an overnight sensation for its electric chemistry, emotional depth, and groundbreaking portrayal of queer love in the world of elite sport. Wildly addictive, the drama has captured audiences worldwide and is quickly establishing itself as one of the most talked-about Canadian series of all time. With momentum continuing to rise, Heated Rivalry is poised to become one of the country’s most culturally impactful exports.
Inside Track: KCFF26 Delivers Face Time with Canadian Media Insiders as Industry Programming Returns
–CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DAY returns to Queen’s University, spotlighting filmmaking,
TV production, music, and more –
– Tourism Kingston presents Script-to-Screen pitch competition and showcases key locations on exclusive industry tour, headlined by the iconic Kingston Penitentiary –
KINGSTON, ON (February 10, 2026) – Executives, creators, and decision-makers from Canada's screen industries will gather in Kingston as the Kingston Canadian Film Festival announces its professional programming during the five-day celebration of Canadian cinema and culture (Feb. 25 – March 1). Representatives from industry pillars including TIFF, the Canadian Academy, Bell Media, CBC, New Metric Media, Shaftesbury, Telefilm, and WIFT, join forces with key unions, guilds, and cultural organizations for intensive networking and development opportunities on Feb. 27 and 28.
34 Films to Compete for the Playback Prize for Best Canadian Film at the Kingston Canadian Film Fest
– Nine KCFF26 films acknowledged in TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten –
– 100+ films to screen overall with more than 30 cultural events, including music and comedy –
– Hubert Davis, Lisa Rideout, Éric K. Boulianne, Linda Schuyler, Jared Raab, Pavin Moondi, Stacie Mistysyn, Amanda Stepto, Bif Naked, July Talk, Shaun Majumder, Mark Forward, and
K. Trevor Wilson among those confirmed to attend KCFF26 –
KINGSTON, ON (January 28, 2026) – The Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF26) revealed its full lineup today, announcing a total of 34 Canadian features and documentaries in competition for the Playback Prize for Best Canadian Film and the Visual Menace Best First Feature Award at the world’s premier film festival dedicated exclusively to Canadian movies. Running February 25 – March 1, watch the new KCFF26 trailerfeaturing Kingston artists Good Fortune now.
ShozerTV Presents Dynamic Film and Stand-up Comedy Showcase at KCFF26, Feb. 25 – March 1
KINGSTON, ON (January 27, 2026) – New YouTube comedy channel ShozerTV presents a comprehensive comedy lineup featuring eight feature films, numerous shorts, an industry panel, and three live stand-up performances at the 26th Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF26),
it was announced today. Featured in the ShozerTV Comedy Showcase are new films from directors Éric K. Boulianne, Philippe Falardeau, Chell Stephen, Mélanie Charbonneau, and
Nat Boltt, among others, as well as live performances from the stars of Letterkenny, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and Tall Boyz. The world’s largest all-Canadian film and cultural festival runs February 25 - March 1, with the full lineup to be announced tomorrow.
Music Takes the Stage at Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Feb. 25 – March 1
KINGSTON, ON (January 26, 2026) – Music takes centre stage at this year’s Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF26) with the Amherst Island Radio Music Series, announced today. The festival confirmed more than a dozen music-related events at the world’s largest all-Canadian film and cultural festival, including film and music performances from Bif Naked and members of July Talk and Born Ruffians. The series also features new films from directors Matt Johnson, Kid Koala, Chandler Levack, and Jared Raab; music gigs every night of the festival; and two music-focused industry panels. Meanwhile, the fifth annual Slaight Music Video Showcase features the world premieres of 10 music videos from local Kingston artists. Running February 25 - March 1. KCFF26’s full lineup will be unveiled January 28.
Youngblood to Open 2026 Kingston Canadian Film Festival
KINGSTON, ON (January 21, 2026) – In a city long recognized for it foundational role in the history of hockey, a reimagined hockey story takes centre ice at the 2026 Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF). Youngblood has been selected as the Gala Opening Night presentation at Canada’s premier festival devoted exclusively to Canadian film and culture, it was announced today. Screening Wednesday, February 25 at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Youngblood kicks off the 26th edition of the festival, running through Sunday, March 1. KCFF's full festival lineup will be announced on January 28.
Nanci MacLean Named President, MEM
JANUARY 13, 2026 - McGillivray Entertainment Media (MEM) has appointed Nanci MacLean as President, effective immediately. MEM has grown significantly since MacLean joined the company in 2022 as COO. As MEM enters its largest production year to date, this leadership move reflects both momentum and long-term strategy.
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