FILM LISTINGS

Independent theatres

The Bytowne Cinema
325 Rideau St. (view map)

Ottawa's premiere theatre featuring independent and foreign films. Locally owned and operated, the Bytowne features the comfiest seats, the friendliest staff and best tasting popcorn in town. $5.50 for members, $9 for non-members.
Contact: bytowne@magma.ca, info line: 613 789-FILM (3456)

Canadian Film Institute
395 Welington St. - most screenings
67 Nicholas St. - Café Ex screenings (view map)

The CFI hosts a wide assortment of screenings from foreign films to Canadian independent works at the National Library Auditorium. Their Café Ex series features Canada's most acclaimed experimental image makers in the "intimate and interactive" environment of Club SAW. They also host several film festivals including the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
Contact: mcsorley@magma.ca, 613 232-6727

The Mayfair Theatre
1074 Bank St. (view map)

Formerly concentrating on 2nd run Hollywood movies, the Mayfair now mixes in a good assortment of foreign and art films. Usually double bills and sometimes triple-bills. It doesn't get any better than three consecutive Indiana Jones movies... $6 for members, $8 for non-members. The $18 membership gets you your first three movies free.
Contact: manager@mayfair-movie.com, info line: 613 730-3403

Ottawa Family Theatre
710 Broadview Ave. (view map)

Non-profit, charity theatre screening second run Hollywood and family films. Digital sound, large screen, door prizes and seasonal movie parties. $3-$6 admission prices. Open from mid-September until early May.

Complete film listings

Listings for all the mainstream theatres in the Ottawa-Hull area are available at ottawa.film-can.com, so head there if you're looking for show times at your favourite multiplex. I hear some still charge less than $10 for matinees...

Film Rentals

Invisible Cinema
319 Lisgar St. (view map)

THE place to go for underground, indie, art, cult films. The also stock some of the better Hollywood films. VHS and DVD rentals. If you're not sure what your take on Cassavetes is, this is the place to go.
Closed Mondays.
Contact: 613 237-0769

World Inter-Action Mondiale Film Library
323 Chapel St. (view map)

Films on global themes available for rent.
Contact: 613 238-4659

Film Festivals

Available Light Screening Collective

Formed in 1995, Available Light is an Ottawa-based artists' volunteer group presenting curated screenings of experimental film and video art. Most events occur at Club SAW.

Centretown Movies Outdoor Film Festival

Founded in 2001, Centretown Movies has offered outdoor pay-what-you-can screenings of a variety of great films every summer. Their future is currently uncertain so if you feel like volunteering, you should get in touch with them.

Drunken Master Review Presents: Saturday Night Sinema

The last Saturday of every month the Drunken Master Revue screens rare cult classics, shocking shlock, and unearthed gems. All on film (35mm or 16mm) at the Mayfair Theatre (1074 Bank St.) or Club SAW (67 Nicholas St.).

One World Film Festival

Documentary films on global issues
Typically held in October

Ottawa International Animation Festival

The world's second largest animation festival.
Typically, mid to late September

Filmmaking

Independent Filmakers Cooperative of Ottawa (IFCO)
2 Daly St. Suite 100 (view map)

16mm filmmaking and editing workshops, equipment rentals and screenings.
Contact: info@ifco.ca, 613 569-1789

SAW Video Co-Op
67 Nicholas St. (view map)

Video making and editing instruction, equipment rentals and screenings.
Contact: sawvideo@cyberus.ca, 613 238-7648