Forbidden teenage love in a tiny Macedonian village; an unlikely bond between a lonely penguin and a disaffected man in Argentina; the inspiring career of a pioneer camerawoman and war photojournalist.
These are just some of the topics explored in six dynamic films that will be featured at the annual Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF), now in its 19th season.
Presented by the Meaford Culture Foundation, the festival will open with an evening Gala on Thursday, September 18, followed by three afternoon matinees and three evening films, from September 19-21. The evening festivities will include an opportunity to experience a dinner by local well-known chefs before each movie, post-film interviews with special guests, and after-parties where theatregoers can mix and mingle.
MIFF Artistic Director Anna den Hengst has selected award-winning films and documentaries originating from China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Macedonia, Brazil, and Spain. Each day, the festival will screen a matinee and evening film at Meaford Hall, the premier arts and culture centre in southern Georgian Bay.
Here is the lineup for MIFF 2025:
Thursday, September 18
Kicking off the festivities, the Meaford Culture Foundation is proud to host the MIFF Red Carpet Gala at the Meaford Hall. The event, set to a theme of ‘Old Hollywood’, promises to be a night of fun and glamour. You can walk the red carpet, listen to live music from renowned violinist Victoria Yeh, enjoy gourmet appetizers by local chefs, and mingle with celebrities, community leaders, and special guests.
Friday, September 19
Friday’s matinee, Never Look Away, is a compelling documentary about Margaret Moth, a trail-blazing CNN camerawomen and war photojournalist who defied incredible odds in her line of work.
The evening film, Sister Midnight, is a dark, quirky comedy/drama about a young Indian newlywed who experiences feral impulses that lead to chaotic events. This film was nominated for awards at BAFTA and the Cannes Film Festival.
Saturday, September 20
The Festival’s second documentary, Mistress Dispeller, tells the story of a Chinese woman who, in an attempt to save her marriage, hires a professional. This film provides an intimate and fascinating look into Chinese customs and marriage.
On Saturday night, theatregoers will be treated to DJ Ahmet, a feel-good comedy about a 15-year-old boy from a remote North Macedonian village who defies his parents and their traditional culture to escape into music and pursue a girl.
Sunday, September 21
The Sunday matinee, I’m Still Here, is about a woman who must pick up the pieces after her husband disappears during the military dictatorship in Brazil. The recipient of numerous awards, this drama/biography won the 2025 Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
Finally, closing the festival on Sunday is The Penguin Lessons, a heart-warming film about a disillusioned Englishman whose life in a divided Argentina in 1976 is transformed when he rescues an orphaned penguin. This comedy/drama is a classic tale of the bond that develops between a human and an animal, set in a country in turmoil.
The Festival’s pre-film dinners, served at Meaford Hall, will be catered by three of Meaford’s best restaurants, including Franny’s Mercato with chef Franny Wensley on Friday, Lovebird/ Belle Marche with chef Ryan Praskey on Saturday, and The Dam Pub with chef Edward Sleep on Sunday.
With a long legacy of celebrating excellence in international cinema, MIFF is an opportunity to experience award-winning films while supporting arts and culture in Meaford. The Festival is the Meaford Culture Foundation’s flagship cultural event and fundraiser that generates funds for ongoing capital improvements to the Meaford Hall & Cultural Centre, as well as supporting a wide range of local arts and culture initiatives through its Community Outreach programs.
Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation has donated more than $700,000 to Meaford Hall renovations and enhancements, and more than $350,000 to local arts and cultural activities.
For more information or tickets, please visit www.meafordfilmfest.ca. To purchase tickets by phone, contact the Meaford Hall box office at 877-538-0463.
