The annual qathet International Film Festival is back from March 6 - 14, 2026!
Movie lovers come together in Powell River every year to watch critically-acclaimed cinema at the Patricia Theatre, Canada's oldest continuously operating movie theatre (since 1913). Showing the best in international, Canadian, and locally produced films, the festival is hosted each year by the qathet Film Society.
It's a great opportunity to witness the spirit of Powell River in action, from the volunteers who power the festival to the residents and visitors alike who engage in thought-provoking conversation about the visual arts.
Read on for details on the 2026 event.
History of the qathet International Film Festival
What began as a grassroots event to screen the latest releases in film every year has morphed into a dynamic, community-oriented celebration of cinema. The first qathet International Film Festival took place in 2002, with movies shown at the local high school gym, before its current iteration as a celebrated festival with the famed Patricia Theatre serving as its venue.
The Patricia Theatre itself is worth checking out. As one of the earliest designed movie theatres in British Columbia, this intimate venue has retained the charm and character of its bygone era with an art deco facade, lofty ceiling, and retro kitsch touches. The original 1913 building was rebuilt in 1928, and the theatre has since switched to digital projectors, more comfortable seats, and undergone some restoration projects, but some things haven't changed over the past 100 years. The single screen theatre continues to bring the latest films to Powell River, allowing both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in movie magic. It's a big part of what makes the qathet International Film Festival such a unique celebration of cinema in British Columbia.
How the qathet International Film Festival Works
Here's what you need to know in order to enjoy the festival to the fullest extent.
Key Dates
- The qathet International Film Festival runs Friday, March 6 to Saturday, March 14, 2026. The Festival kicks off with an opening party on March 6 at 6pm and ends with a closing party on March 14 at 6pm.
- Matinees start at 1:30pm and evening films are shown at 7:00pm.
- Early Bird Festival and Matinee passes are available online via Showpass or at The Patricia Theatre during box office hours, and are on sale until December 31, 2025; after that, festival passes will be available at regular price. Single movie tickets will be available starting February 1, 2026.
Tickets and Memberships for the qathet International Film Festival
To watch any film, you have to purchase a membership to the qathet Film Society, the non-profit society behind the festival. Sales from the membership go to support the film festival and maintenance of the Patricia Theatre. Here's how to purchase a membership to the film festival:
- A basic membership is $5. If you purchase a Festival Pass or Matinee Pass, membership is included with your pass ($5 value).
- A Festival Pass grants you access to all of the films, and includes a basic membership. A Matinee Pass grants you access to the matinee screenings only. Early bird pricing for festival passes ranges from $53 - $136 (with the option of reserved or general seating).
- If you are looking to watch a single film only, you'll need to purchase a membership for each person attending screenings. Membership cards can be purchased during the festival at the Patricia Theatre box office.
- Youth tickets are available for select screenings only. Adult accompaniment is required.
- You will need to present the QR code from your online order at every film you attend. You can either print out the code and insert it into your pass lanyard for easy scanning, or present it on your phone when you arrive.
The 2026 qathet International Film Festival Lineup
There are 16 films confirmed the 2026 festival lineup, with 16 screenings in total. The films highlight works from around the world and cover genres ranging from documentaries to crime dramas, with many of the films falling into multiple categories.
The festival kicks off with a showing of təm kʷaθ nan Namesake, a BC documentary by directors ƛɛsla Dr. Evan Adams & t̓agəm Eileen Francis that explores Tla’amin naming traditions and confronts how reconciliation is put into action. The lineup also includes documentaries Emergence: Women in the Storm, by Canadian filmmakers Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper that explores how people are navigating the reality of climate emergency and includes interviews with survivors of a devastating fire in Lytton, BC; and Orwell 2+2=5, which sees director Raoul Peck outline the biographical details of George Orwell’s life and delves into the ways Orwell’s arguments illuminate a century’s worth of geopolitics.
There's a lot more to see over the course of the festival. Fans of drama and history won't want to miss Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao's Hamnet, which tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet; or Director Cherien Dabis's All That’s Left of You, where a Palestinian teenager gets swept into a protest in the Occupied West Bank and experiences a moment of violence that rocks his family and traces the hopes and heartaches of an uprooted family. Meanwhile, sci-fi fans will want to catch the showing of The Blue Trail by director Gabriel Mascaro. The film showcases the natural beauty and decay of the Amazon and centres on a 77-year-old woman who refuses to bow to ageist authoritarian dictates in a society that has deemed anyone above the age of 75 an impediment to its economic success.
Other films featured at the festival include No Other Choice, a comedy/crime/drama/thriller by filmmaker Park Chan-wook that critiques modern work culture and the desperation of unemployment; Mile End Kicks, a comedy/romance/music film by director Chandler Levack that "has all the makings of a coming-of-age classic for a new generation"; and crime/drama The Mastermind, a 1970s-style character portrait of an art thief by director Kelly Reichardt.
Head to qathetfilm.ca for the festival's full program and to watch trailers. Now is the time to scoop up tickets for this much-anticipated annual film festival.
Plan Your Trip to Powell River
The qathet international film festival takes place in Powell River’s Historic Townsite, which was designated a National Historic District of Canada in 1995. This area offers plenty to see and do: swing by Townsite Brewing for a pre-movie flight of beers and to mingle with fellow cinephiles, pop into the shops at Townsite Public Market, or stop by Royal Zayka or the Granada Restaurant for a bite to eat.
Looking for a place to stay during the festival? Keep the historic theme going and book a room at the Old Courthouse Inn or the Rodmay Hotel, two heritage hotels located just a short walk away from the Patricia Theatre.
A short drive will take you into the heart of Powell River's downtown where, along Marine Drive, more restaurants and shops await. In need of fresh air? Take a walk along Willingdon Beach, book a fishing charter, hike one of the area’s many trails, or hit the links for a round of golf.
Click here to learn more about Powell River.
