This summer, DRIFF is bringing back our smash-hit drive-in format for a summerlong screening series celebrating the rich diversity of Canadian stories by contemporary Canadian filmmakers. From June to September, Shifting the Narrative will pair five acclaimed feature films with five shorts by emerging Canadian directors.

Click here for dates and the full lineup of feature films

After surviving the first, second, and third waves of COVID19, finally, there is something great happening – a shift. We can feel it as surely as spring turns to summer, as warm drinks give way to cool ones. Now the final piece of this puzzle: we yearn to connect with each other: with creativity, creative energy, and creative expression from storytellers. Humans are inherently social beings and this is reflected in our stories – in our narratives.

Remember drive-ins? For most, they conjure up bygone images of first dates or staring at the big screen while perched in the back seat of our parents’ car. Drive-ins became our saving grace in 2020. Drive-ins have become our sense of community. Through them we can become part of an audience having larger, shared experiences which bring us one step closer to ‘normal.’

DRIFF is, once again, combining our love of summer with our dedication to the arts by taking amazing filmic stories outdoors and under the stars. Five drive-in evenings from June through September will celebrate the best that Canada has to offer through a curated program called Shifting the Narrative.

Shifting the Narrative focuses on Canadian identity in storytelling and culture. We have bridged the gap between experienced and emerging filmmakers by selecting five dynamic filmmakers that have made a mark nationwide (British Columbia to Nova Scotia) through their feature films. Each feature filmmaker selected by DRIFF added to our program by selecting a short film by an emerging filmmaker  to screen prior to the feature presentation.

Our group of filmmakers worked with our team to curate an incredible program of stories that touch upon migration and deportation, losing yourself and finding your voice, strength in pride, and pride from strength.

Join us for all five evenings, ten films in total, and a chance to reconnect with who we are: social beings in love with stories that enrich our lives and draw us closer.

Eagerly looking forward to warm nights and a sea of cars under the stars.

See you at the drive-in!

Kirk Cooper

Program Director/DRIFF

THE FILMS

All screenings will be held at the Town of Whitby Municipal Building (south parking lot), located at 575 Rossland Rd E.



CANADIAN MOSAIC: Becoming Labrador

July 29th

Rohan Fernando, Tamara Segura, Justin Simms, 2018 | 70 minutes | English

In the stark Labrador interior, a growing number of Filipino workers have recently landed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, traveling halfway around the world for jobs they hope will offer their families new opportunities and a better life. Becoming Labrador follows some of these women and men as they make a place for themselves in Labrador while dealing with the unexpected costs of living far from their family.

Becoming Labrador co-director Rohan Fernando will personally select a short film to precede this feature presentation.

Click here to learn more about this screening.

Caribbean Heat: Home Again

August 26th

Sudz Sutherland, 2012 | 104 Minutes | English

Three Jamaicans, who are deported from the U.S., Canada, and England travel through a land that they are not familiar with.

Home Again director Sudz Sutherland will personally select a short film to precede this feature presentation.

Click here to learn more about this screening.

Asian Heritage: Window Horses

September 9th

Rosie Ming, a young Canadian poet, is invited to a poetry festival in Shiraz, Iran. Never having been anywhere by herself, she finds herself on a journey of discovery in the company of Iranian poets, who force her to confront her past.

Window Horses director Anne-Marie Fleming will personally select a short film to precede this feature presentation.

Click here to learn more about this screening.

CREATIVE SPIRIT: Falls Around Her

September 29th

Darlene Naponse, 2018 | 100 Minutes | English

A world-famous Anishinaabe musician returns to the reserve to rest and refresh herself, but finds that her fame and the outside world intrude. 

Falls Around Her director Darlene Naponse will personally select a short film to precede this feature presentation.

Click here to learn more about this screening.

Tickets will go on sale soon. Check back here or follow us on social media @catchthedriff for updates.

DRIFF continues to take the lead from our public health experts while we host our drive-in events throughout the summer months of 2021.

To ensure the safety of our guests at this summer’s drive-in screenings, we are providing contactless ticket purchases and entry to each event. Presently, all drive-in attendees are asked to limit guests in their vehicle to members of their own household, and to stay within their vehicle for the duration of the event. Guests will be asked to fill out an online COVID-19 screening questionnaire on the day of the event.

Screening dates for Shifting the Narrative are subject to change based on public health guidelines and restrictions. We will keep our audience updated on any changes to our program and safety guidelines. We thank you for your patience.