Wow, film family, we've made it to the shortest month of the year, and I don't know about you, but getting through January was a battle! Between record breaking snow falls, frigid temperatures, and the darkest days of the year, I hope you were able to find solace and comfort in a nostalgic film or two!
With the brutal weather behind us (please may it be behind us...), we have so much to look forward to! Read on to find info on our next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, an introduction to our new Director of Programming, and, after great anticipation, we're open for film submissions for the 10th annual Durham Region International Film Festival!
Get creative with the DESIGN DRIFF 2023 Contest!
This summer we've got a brand new contest for you to show off your design skills, a new blog to help you write the next big comedy, and more!
Warm Weather and May Movies!
All of us at DRIFF hope you enjoyed a glorious long weekend, and that you're ready for our latest updates! Read on to find out about our next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, as well as a 5 Paddles Beer and Film event, a new blog post, and more...
Get ready . . . He Comes at Night is coming to DRIFF in a Jiff!
Can you believe it's spring again? Granted, it hasn't really begun feeling like the seasons have turned yet...so our latest news about indoor film events may be timed perfectly! Read on for details about DRIFF in a Jiff and more.
Durham makes a big splash at the Oscars!
It's a great time to be a Canadian film fan, too, but that's always true! This month we've got updates for you on the next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, details on how to watch 'Stay the Night,' news about an upcoming film industry career fair, a big win for Sarah Polley (and therefore Durham Region!) and so much more.
Welcome back to DRIFF in a Jiff!
The hiatus is over: Our newest blog post is up and DRIFF in a Jiff returns in March!
Happy new year, film lovers!
We're so excited to kick off a brand new year of DRIFF films and events! In this newsletter we'll recap what 2022 held for our fellow movie buffs, and we'll also take a look ahead at what we're looking forward to in the months to come. We're marking Black History Month in February with a celebration of film. There's a cool new Netflix initiative you'll definitely want to learn more about, too. And film submissions for DRIFF 2023 are now open!
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
It's hard to believe that the snow is flying and that joyous time of year is upon us again. We hope no matter which holiday you're celebrating this season, that you have a chance to put your feet up with the ones you love, take some time for you, and maybe even enjoy a festive film or two.
The Best of DRIFF Shorts is here!
If you're looking for a great way to unwind at the movies for an afternoon, join us on December 11 at 3:00 p.m. for a presentation of the Best of DRIFF Shorts. John Arkelian, the founder of Cinechats, has carefully curated a collection of short films for everyone to enjoy, followed by a relaxing combination of refreshments and conversation about what you've just seen.
The Fall Festival was a smash!
We're so happy to have shared DRIFF '22 with so many of you! Keep reading to find out which films won this year's awards, as well as learn more about November's DRIFF in a Jiff program and its special Q&A.
The Fall Festival continues with our virtual lineup until Sunday!
If you joined us for our in-person lineup last week, thank you so much for supporting the festival. We had a record turnout and the entire experience was so special as we watched filmmakers and movie-goers connect over great films, workshops and panel discussions. We hope you'll join us as we take the remainder of the DRIFF 2022 journey online until October 9 at 11:59 p.m.
The Fall Festival starts Thursday!
It's time to plan your weekend with DRIFF! We've got everything here for you, from $10 tickets, to film lineups and workshops, and more. Read on to choose where you'd like your festival to start!
Only two weeks until the Fall Festival!
We're in the home stretch, and we're so excited to finally let you see the full DRIFF '22 slate of films! Read on for all the info you'll need about the schedule, how to get tickets, and more.
One more night at the drive-in!
Can you believe we're halfway through August? The good news is that means we've got one more drive-in presentation (our last one sold out!)...and we're getting closer to the big fall festival! Read on to see what's happening.
What's cooler than film?
As we enter the dog days of summer, we've got some pretty chill suggestions on how to spend your time. Whether you're looking to hit the drive-in, learn more about some DRIFF directors, or take a peek behind the scenes of one of our short films, this update's got you covered!
Driving into DRIFF!
The first of DRIFF's drive-in series is finally here! Read on to find our where to join us on Thursday night (and where to buy tickets), details about what's playing, a special Directors Chat, and more.
So Many Films, So Many Summer Nights!
Nothing says summer like a good old fashioned drive-in movie night. We've got your full line-up below, plus details of the next DRIFF in a Jiff screening, and more.
Celebrate Canadian film!
To celebrate National Canadian Film Day, we thought we’d unveil which great Canadian films will screen at our drive-in series this summer, tell you about the films that will be screening for free at DRIFF in a JIFF, announce the winner of the Emerging Filmmaker incubator prize, and so much more.
Spring has sprung, and with it comes news!
After a two-year hiatus, DRIFF in a Jiff will be returning and we’ve got details about this summer's drive-in program. We're also pleased to bring you the latest lesson from our DIY Film School blog series.
We've Got So Much to Tell You!
We're excited to announce a phenomenal new opportunity for filmmakers, the launch of our new blog, an outline of our new plans for DRIFF, plus more prize money for winning film submissions.
Filmmaker Submissions are Open!
Join us as we provide a platform to screen your creative work, excite audiences and recognize excellence in the arts. Filmmakers have an opportunity to engage with the public through Q&A sessions and shining a light on the creative industry behind the lens.
A Family Affair: A Mother-Daughter Duo Shaping Cinema
By legacy and by talent, Aine and Cliona Furey represent two generations of Durham Region’s filmmaking professionals whose combined impact reaches from the foundations of Ontario’s screen industry to the highest global honours in cinema.
When people speak of film dynasties, they often think of actors or directors. Less visible (but just as vital) are the artists and other specialists who shape productions from behind the scenes. Aine and Cliona Furey are a mother-daughter duo whose careers, though entirely separate, have helped define excellence in Canadian and International film productions for over half a century.
Building the Groundwork: Aine Furey
Born in Ireland, Aine Furey’s journey into storytelling began early. At just 13 years old, she moved to Los Angeles, where she attended high school while completing a theatre apprenticeship at the Mission Playhouse in California. For three years, she trained rigorously in drama before returning to the UK at the age of 17.
After marrying a member of the Royal Air Force, Aine joined the RAF Theatre, performing for military audiences: a formative experience that blended discipline, adaptability, and performance. In 1967, she relocated to Canada, continuing her acting career and joining the Ryerson Repertory Theatre in the early 1970s.
In 1972, her path changed dramatically. While enroute to a commercial audition arranged by legendary agent Gino Emory, Aine was involved in a devastating car accident. “I had a massive car accident,” she recalls, “and never again put my foot on the stage.”
What followed was not an ending, but a reinvention. In 1979, Aine transitioned into film and television production as a Location Manager, at a time when the role itself was newly established within the Directors Guild of Canada. Over the next 40-plus years contributing to more than 400 hours of screen time, she became a cornerstone of Ontario’s production landscape. Her work helped position Ontario as an attractive and reliable destination for film and television productions, contributing to projects such as Relic Hunter, Mutant X, Lost Girls, and Canadian Bacon.
In 2021, she received the Locations Manager Guild International Lifetime Achievement Award, which she accepted with humility: “I don’t know what I did to deserve such an honour.” What she knows without question is her pride in her daughter. “I am so proud of Cliona and her professionalism,” Aine says. “Regardless of awards—though the awards she received are amazing.”
A Childhood on Set, A Career of Her Own.
Cliona Furey is a Canadian film artist whose earliest memories are shaped by the quiet choreography of film sets. Growing up in Guildwood and later Uxbridge, she often accompanied her mother to work on production sets from a youthful age.
One early experience proved decisive: while visiting the set of The Littlest Hobo, Cliona found herself cast as a background stand-in alongside her Girl Guide troop. The spark was immediate.
Rather than pursuing performance, Cliona gravitated toward craftsmanship, she trained as a wigmaker through a competitive apprenticeship at the Canadian Opera Company, later working extensively in theatre. Her technical precision made the transition into film and television a natural evolution.
Known for her work on wig-intensive and period productions, Cliona has collaborated with some of the most acclaimed directors working today, including David Cronenberg, Alexander Payne, Sofia Coppola, John Madden, Paul Feig, and Guillermo del Toro. Her creative partnership with del Toro spans more than 15 years and includes Crimson Peak, Nightmare Alley, and Frankenstein.
In 2025, Cliona’s hair design work on Frankenstein earned her the Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Critics Choice Award—a rare sweep that firmly established her as one of the leading hair designers in contemporary cinema.
Grounded Despite Global Success
Despite a career that helped shaped Ontario’s film industry, Aine Furey has always remained firmly grounded. Even in retirement, Aine remains active and engaged, lending her expertise to location scouting and assisting local film commissions through image packages and consultation.
Just as she helped build the foundation of Ontario’s film industry decades ago, Aine continues to support it thoughtfully, behind the scenes exactly where she has always thrived.
Cliona remains deeply rooted in Uxbridge despite working internationally. She continues to live in the same small town where she grew up and is now raising her son on the very same neighbourhood, she spent her childhood in.
A lifelong horse owner and enthusiast, Cliona values country life, and privacy. Most colleagues know her simply as “CLI,” and many are surprised to learn of her famous lineage. In fact, one longtime producer, who previously worked with extensively with her mother, only recently realized Cliona was Aine’s daughter. “His jaw dropped,” she laughs.
Two Careers, One Legacy
Together, Aine and Cliona Furey embody the evolution of the film industry itself; from the foundational work that helped establish Ontario as a production hub to the artistry that now garners international acclaim at the highest level.
They are united not by shared credits, but by shared values: professionalism, craftsmanship, humility, and an enduring love for storytelling. In an industry built on collaboration, the Furey's remind us that legacy is not inherited, it is earned, one production at a time.
