An escape into the mountains, excellent films, and four days of celebrating with other cinema enthusiasts—what more can you ask for? The Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival is returning in less than a month, and an exciting lineup of films for the 2024 festival was announced today.  

From May 30-June 2, Blue Mountain Village will come to life with film screenings, events, parties, entertainment, outdoor adventures, and special guest appearances. 

This year’s festival lineup includes 22 feature films from 26 countries, ranging from powerful political dramas, to inspiring documentaries and feel-good love stories. 

BMFM launched in 2022, and the festival has already become an exciting cultural addition to the Georgian Bay region. With the majestic backdrop of Blue Mountain, and plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, or beach days, it’s an enticing getaway for film and nature lovers alike. 

Artistic Director Helen du Toit says this year’s festival will be the most exciting edition yet. 

“As we settle into our annual event, it has become more and more evident that there is a strong appetite for international cinema as well as Canadian stories, and this year we are incredibly honoured to showcase such a stellar lineup of films,” says du Toit. 

Opening BMFM is Call Me Dancer, the remarkable tale of a Mumbai taxi driver’s son who is determined to become a dancer. The Taste of Things, a foodie film about the intimate partnership between a famed gourmand and his beloved cook, will close out the festival.

Here are some highlights from the lineup of feature films announced today:

Photo by Carlton Dixon

Chuck Chuck Baby

Set against the backdrop of a chicken processing plant in Wales, Chuck Chuck Baby follows the burgeoning friendship and love between two women as they reconnect many years after their school days. This feel-good musical comedy is a fabulous ode to love, grief, community and women’s autonomy.

COPA 71

This documentary is the story of the 1971 Women’s Soccer World Cup, a record-breaking tournament that has since been written out of history. With current interviews, archives of on-field soccer action and news reports, the pioneering women who participated in this incredible event come together to share this piece of sporting history with the world.

Girls Will Be Girls

Shuchi Talati’s debut feature follows a teenage girl at a strict boarding school in the Himalayas as she discovers romance and desire. The coming-of-age drama is a sympathetic portrait of mother-daughter dynamics in a sexually repressive culture, and was a prize-winner at Sundance.

The Queen of My Dreams

Fawzia Mirza’s The Queen of My Dreams explores a complex mother-daughter relationship over three decades and two continents, infused with Bollywood-inspired musical fantasy sequences and striking visuals, humour and romance.

Singing Back the Buffalo

Award-winning Cree filmmaker and buffalo ​​activist Tasha Hubbard tells the story of a remarkable ecological revival led by Indigenous peoples. Once on the verge of extinction, the buffalo is reclaiming its rightful place at the heart of the North American plains, ushering in sustainability and balance.

BMFM will also screen a collection of nine shorts from emerging Canadian filmmakers, including a playful tribute to one of Canada’s most beloved skiers, a look at the breathtaking fall colours in Ontario, and the story of a mother’s reunion with her daughter.

New this year at the festival is a spotlight on digital media. A special Buffer Festival screening will feature films from YouTube and TikTok creators including Julie Nolke and Tope Babalola. For filmmakers looking to hone their craft, the festival’s 3-day Creative Forum will dive deep into the art of cinema, with plenty of opportunities for networking and interactive discussions. 

There is so much to immerse yourself in at this festival—plan a weekend full of cinema and outdoor adventures! The full Blue Mountain Film + Media Festival schedule is available on their website.