County Adaptation Film Festival

The County Adaptation Film Festival was born in 2023 out of a meeting of minds between Alexandra Seay of the Regent Theatre and Sol Korngold of the Royal Hotel, who continue to share a deep commitment to the future of The County and a desire to showcase it to the world County-style. Working across sectors through private-public-not-for-profit collaborations the festival is designed to create synergies and experiences for participants across The County and beyond.

This year’s festival kicks off with an Opening Night Gala Screening on Friday, September 27th at the Regent Theatre of Widow Clicquot, a wine-centric film to honour the County’s female entrepreneurs and winemaking talents. Featuring special guests, this screening will be followed by a Big Bash party (no tickets required) in The Armoury Square.

On Saturday, September 28th, the day will be packed with activities across the County from 10 AM until 10 PM – with three screenings, free family activations including a VR experience and an in-depth conversation at Closson Chase Vineyards with special guests.

Within the festival experience is Pathways to Truth & ReconciliACTION, a series of indigenous-led events including a screening of The Secret Path, preceded by a Mohawk language short film, Six Strings. A traditional Mohawk welcome will be followed by a 30 minute opening concert by Tyendinaga-based singer-songwriter Jennifer Brant reflecting on Truth & Reconciliation through songs inspired by Mohawk/Kanien’kéha language, culture and traditions.

Macaulay Church Museum is the second location in the Pathways to Truth & ReconciliACTION event series, the home of “A Path Forward,” an exhibit co-curated by Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, which explores Truth and Reconciliation in the County.

The third location of the Pathways to Truth & ReconciliACTION event series features a groundbreaking VR experience in the sensory garden at Base 31. Rooted in Indigenous futurism, Biidaaban: First Light asks users to think about their place in history and their role in a possible future. As they move through a highly realistic future Toronto reclaimed by nature, they hear the languages of the place originally known as Tkaronto. Through gaze-based interactions, users engage with the written text of the Wendat, Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway) and gain insight into the complex thought systems of this land’s first peoples. Tickets are only required for the screening. All other events in the series are free and open to all.

On Sunday, September 29th, the Eddie Hotel & Farm hosts the last discussion of the festival, featuring Tanya Talaga in discussion about her latest book The Knowing, now a four-part CBC docuseries. The festival wraps up back at the Regent Theatre with a final screening accompanied by special guests.

Click here for the full schedule and to purchase passes.