The Guelph Film Festival (GFF) received a 2024 Musagetes Grant to support its annual celebration of documentary film and community dialogue. This funding helped cover operational costs, especially supporting the work of staff who bring the festival’s vision to life.
In November 2024, GFF hosted its 27th edition with nine days of screenings, talkbacks, and community events. The festival showcased 23 documentaries (86% of them directed by women, including works by Indigenous, LGBTQ2SIA+, BIPOC, disabled, and youth artists). More than half of the films shown were Canadian, many from Ontario. The programming team, which includes Black, Indigenous, and Latin members, chose films that get people talking and help share stories we don’t hear often enough.
GFF made sure the festival was affordable for everyone. In 2024, 848 people attended, and about 30% used “Pay What You Want” or “Free Under 30” options. These initiatives help remove cost barriers, making the festival more inclusive and welcoming for all. They also worked closely with local partners, artists, and community leaders to create events that reflect Guelph’s different communities and what matters to them.
The grant helped GFF adjust staff roles and explore new ways to raise money. This led to $8,000 in extra sponsorships. With this support, the Artistic and Technical Directors had more time to focus on selecting great films and improving the experience for audiences. Thanks to these efforts, more filmmakers and film subjects attended the festival than ever before, helping GFF grow as a creative and inclusive space for storytelling.