named one of the top 5 international films of 2023 by the National Board of Review, “La Chimera” weaves a dreamlike narrative through Tuscany's archaeological wonders, invoking cinematic giants like Pasolini, Fellini, Olmi, and the Taviani brothers. The film pays homage to Italy's rich cinematic history, immersing viewers in a mind palace filled with ghosts and treasures. Arthur, a former archeological scholar with a knack for locating antiquities using a dowsing rod, pursues his long-lost love Beniamina amidst the Etruscan treasures. Reconnecting with his beloved's aristocratic mother, Flora (Isabella Rossellini), and caretaker Italia (Carol Duarte), Arthur's quest takes a compelling turn. Freshly released from an Italian prison, he reunites with his eclectic crew to unearth a fifth-century relic, sparking questions about ownership and the morality of plundering the past.

Based on a stranger than fiction true story! In the 1920s English seaside town of Littlehampton, neighbours Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley) are embroiled in a scandal involving anonymous, profanity-laden letters. When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all. With sharp dialogue and dark comedic undertones, "Wicked Little Letters" explores themes of misogyny and repression in a riotous mystery comedy. Directed by Thea Sharrock (“Me Before You”), the film captures the absurdity and tragedy of a scandalous true story.

“Led by an almost unrecognizable Simon Baker as a jaded cop, Limbo weaves in themes of racial inequity, broken individuals and fractured families to build quiet potency.” - David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter Australian auteur Ivan Sen’s latest features, set within the amazing underground mining town of Limbo in South Australia, follows Jaded police detective Travis Hurley (Simon Baker, “Margin Call”) who’s handed a cold case file from 20 years ago to investigate the murdere of an Indigenous girl in a small, bare, outback mining town. Travis arrives in the remote town and quietly moves around talking to the family of 1990’s young Indigenous murder victim Charlotte Hayes, as well as the key witnesses and the chief suspect. Travis begins to feel the cumulative impact of his interviews, which reveal the pain of an Aboriginal family, who have suffered ongoing neglect and racism at the hands of the justice system in this powerful and moving story.

From writer/director Julio Torres comes a surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system. Alejandro (Julio Torres) is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast (Tilda Swinton) becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. Premiering at SXSW, the surrealist comedy, has a cast full of heavy hitters including ByTowne Cinema favourite Tilda Swinton (“Suspiria”), RZA(“Ghost Dog”), Greta Lee (“Past Lives”), and the legendary Isabella Rosselini (“Blue Velvet”) as the narrator.

In occupied Poland during 1939, nurse Irena Gut (Sophie Nélisse) defies the Nazi regime by sheltering a dozen Jewish refugees, risking her own life. Assigned to manage the home of a Nazi commandant (Dougray Scott), instead of choosing safety, Gut bravely protects those in danger. Adapted from Dan Gordon's stage play and directed by Louise Archambault, "Irena's Vow" portrays a tale of moral clarity amidst the resurgence of fascism. Nélisse's compelling performance captures the fear and determination of an innocent forced into impossible choices, emphasizing the urgency of resistance and compassion in wartime.

You are officially invited to join us in the Mystery Machine (aka ByTowne Cinema) for the next film in our Drunken Cinema series: “Scooby Doo”! Join Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and (of course!) Scooby Doo as they investigate strange goings-on at a mysterious island resort. Featuring a star-studded cast, including Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, Matthew Lillard, and Neil Fanning as the voice of Scooby Doo. Celebrate this guilty pleasure and discover or re-discover how this family-friendly movie was really made for adults! Scooby-Dooby-Doo! What is Drunken Cinema? It’s a monthly interactive movie game series that brings a twist to the movie-going experience. Customized game card and glowstick included in the price of admission!

Gather your own fellowship and get ready for an afternoon of an epic adventure like no other to save destroy The One Ring and save Middle-earth with Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” Extended edition! In the second part of the Tolkien trilogy, Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring—but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers—Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. The journey continues with 44 minutes of additional footage!

Join us over the rainbow for a special 4/20 presentation of the one of the most magical (and trippy) artistic pairings of all time! Born from a long-running urban legend, this cinematic spectacle combines Victor Fleming's iconic 1939 fantasy The Wizard of Oz with the music of Pink Floyd's 1973 psychedelic opus The Dark Side of the Moon. The phenomenon of pairing the album with the movie started when fans noticed that the rises and falls of the music matched the action on the screen. Members of Pink Floyd have denied the connection, but fans have since found the match to be too uncanny to be unintentional. We invite you to be the judge: coincidence or a deliberate musical trip to Munchkinland? A magical night awaits! Don't miss out!

Discover Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey to become the first Nepali woman to summit Everest in 1993. As an uneducated, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pits her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry. As told by the Nepalis who knew her, by some of the world’s most notable alpinists, and by Pasang herself, documents her historic quest that would transfix her country and uplift a new generation. Join us for this special screening followed by a Q&A with the Embassy of Nepal - Ottawa, Deputy Chief of the Mission, Rojina Tamraka & Nepali Heritage Centre of Ottawa Vice President, Santosh Baral.

Mira lives for the sport of ice hockey and leads her team as captain with a strong determination. It's a challenge to reconcile this with her role in the family vineyard: with her mother and her adventurous but increasingly demented grandfather, she runs the farm - with all its responsibilities. The new player Theresa completely unsettles her with her nonchalance and openness. And when Mira's missing brother Paul also turns up and all three get lost in late-night Vienna, Mira discovers the freedom it means to break rules, to reinvent herself - and that you can only love if you let go.

Set in the late 19th century and celebrating the love and culinary artistry - the romance between esteemed cook Eugenie (Juliette Binoche) and gourmet Dodin (Benoît Magimel) blossoms after two decades of working together. Their love story creates delectable dishes that astound the culinary world including the world’s most illustrious chefs. As Dodin yearns for Eugenie's commitment, he decides to start cooking for her. The film—very loosely working off of Marcel Rouff’s 1924 novel La Vie et La Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet—both oozes authenticity and carries a timelessly romantic appeal.

The Globe and Mail presents the most creative commercials from around the world, Presented annually since 1954,the Cannes Lions are the most prestigious international creative communications awards in the advertising and communication industry. Don’t miss some of the world’s most entertaining, inspirational and humorous commercials from around the world, including a selection of bronze, silver, gold and grand prix winners from the past year.

In his latest film Bertrand Bonello (“Nocturama”) presents a haunting narrative that traverses multiple lifetimes haunted by love. Through three distinct eras - 1910, 2014, and 2044 - we witness the intertwined fates of Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) and Louis (George MacKay), amidst looming apocalyptic dread. Inspired by Henry James' "The Beast in the Jungle," Bonello's film explores the psychological toll of societal and technological shifts. Bonello's visually stunning film delves into themes of memory, reality, and emotional sterility, with Seydoux's expressive portrayal anchoring the narrative across eras. As Gabrielle confronts her past lives and the enigmatic connection with Louis, questions about the essence of humanity and the recurring nature of love and alienation emerge.

Dying makes all the difference in the world. From Canadian director and writer Caitlin Cronenberg comes her debut feature film “Humane”. In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes awry. The remaining family members, now trapped in the house, must make an impossible choice, who is going to join their father? Starring a wickedly talented cast including Jay Baruchel (“BlackBerry”), Emily Hampshire (“Self Reliance”), and Peter Gallagher (“Sex, Lies, and Videotape”): “Caitlin has crafted a provocative directorial debut exuding a timeliness and evocative social critique that highlights one of the most assured and exciting new voices to contend with,” says Scott Shooman, head of AMC Networks’ Film Group.

Celebrate the beginning of a saucy spring season with some rock 'n' roll kitty cats and a burlesque show by Frisque Femme Productions! You'll start the evening with themed superstar performances by Kitty Kin-Evil, Alister Sharp, BB Abundance, and Sonya Lex, followed by one of the coolest cult hits of the early aughts! Directed by Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont, the film follows the ascent of the small-town pop-punk band (Rachel Leigh Cook, Rosario Dawson, and Tara Reid) as they make it to the top of the charts and a record label run by casual supervillain Fiona (Parker Posey). But when Josie discovers subliminal messages hidden in their music as part of Fiona’s evil plan to become the most adored celebrity in the world, the band’s got to choose between their artistic integrity or capitalist fame. With a stellar supporting cast and a soundtrack that truly rocks, Josie and the Pussycats is an unsung gem of anti-capitalist hilarity and empowerment through rock and roll.

Spend a Sunday afternoon with the 1990 Oscar winner for Best for Foreign Language film, and a ture love letter to the power of cinema, “Cinema Paradiso”. Director Guiseppe Tornatore’s reflection of a Sicilian childhood spent at the movies is a beautiful, enchanting story of a young boy's lifelong love affair with the movies. Set in an Italian village, Salvatore finds himself enchanted by the flickering images at the Cinema Paradiso, yearning for the secret of the cinema's magic. When the projectionist, Alfredo, agrees to reveal the mysteries of moviemaking, a deep friendship is born. The day comes for Salvatore to leave the village and pursue his dream of making movies of his own. Thirty years later he receives a message that beckons him back home to a secret and beautiful discovery that awaits him. Today, as we settle for streaming “content” at home, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the magic of Dream Palaces and being taken away.

Winner of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2023 – Cristal award for best feature. Paulette feels guilty after unjustly punishing her daughter Linda and would do anything to make it up to her. Linda immediately asks for a meal of chicken with peppers, which reminds her of the dish her father used to make. But with a general strike closing stores all across town and pushing people into the streets, this innocent request quickly leads to an outrageous series of events that spirals out of control, as Paulette does everything she can to keep her promise and find a chicken for Linda. Directors Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach (“The Girl Without Hands”) unleash a unique visual marvel of hand-painted animation with bright, colour-blocked characters, and a story that is an intoxicating blend of slapstick comedy, musical, and family drama, as Paulette and Nina ultimately confront the grief of an unspoken tragedy, and the meal that could finally bring them closer together.

German Cinema pioneer, and recent Oscar Noiminee Wim Wenders (Perfect Days) “Wings of Desire” is one of cinema’s loveliest city symphonies. Bruno Ganz is Damiel, an angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin who can hear the thoughts—fears, hopes, dreams—of all the people living below. But when he falls in love with a beautiful trapeze artist, he is willing to give up his immortality and come back to earth to be with her. Made not long before the fall of the Berlin wall, this stunning tapestry of sounds and images, shot in black and white and color by the legendary Henri Alekan, is movie poetry. And it forever made the name Wim Wenders synonymous with film art.

Although in self-denial about his drinking problem, Mark seems to have easily mastered life between his demanding job as a construction manager and rambunctious forays into Berlin‘s nightlife. That is, until he is stopped by the police one night, loses his license until he has passed a medical-psychological examination. Mark bets his best friend Nadim that he won‘t drink any alcohol until he gets his driving license back, but he hasn‘t reckoned with meeting “partner in crime“ Helena during the examination. At first Mark is confident of victory, but soon disillusionment follows in the truest sense of the word. Does Mark have to admit to himself that he has a more serious problem than he thought? The German Language Film Festival Ottawa is proudly presented by the Embassies of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

One Night Only - post-screening Q&A with descendent of one of Nicholas Winton’s rescued children. The incredible true story of a British stockbroker, Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins), who, during a visit to Czechoslovakia in the 1930s, embarked on a mission to rescue Jewish children from the impending horrors of World War II that came to be known as ‘the Kindertransport’. Winton reflects on his past humanitarian efforts, providing a poignant and inspiring account of his selfless actions in aiding groups of Jewish children to hide and escape from German-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1938-39. Directed by James Hawes starring Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn in the lead roles as Nicholas Winton, and features a strong supporting cast including Lena Olin, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp, Jonathan Pryce, and Helena Bonham Carter.