By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chatham-Kent International Film Festival marks its seventh year Oct. 24-26.
To be held at Chatham’s Kiwanis Theatre, the 2025 edition showcases 37 different films including five features and two documentaries.
Festival co-directors Robert Bellamy and Kristina Garant said this year’s submissions are heavily focused on Canadian and Ontario content.
“It’s nice to see all of the talent here in Ontario,” Garant told The Voice in a recent interview. “I hope people will come out and enjoy it.”
According to Bellamy, the festival grows a little more each year, expanding its offerings to local film buffs.
The festival will close out Sunday at 6 p.m. with a local flourish thanks to a submission from Walpole Island First Nation director Eva Thomas. Titled Nika and Madison, the Canadian crime thriller is making its world premiere. The film tells the story of two Indigenous girls following a fateful encounter with police that causes them to re-examine their friendship.
While there is a focus on home-grown talent, Bellamy said the festival also features entries from across the globe, including Oversteer from Singapore and an English thriller called The Caretaker.
The festival will also pay homage to Halloween Oct. 25 with a special screening of the Nightmare on Elm Street on at 10 p.m. Cost is $10 for the show and festival goers are invited to dress in costume for the event.
Day passes are $10 for Friday and $15 per day on Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass can be purchased for $40.
Passes can be purchased through CKTickets.com or on the film festival’s website. The festival’s full program can be viewed online.
