The Media Lab is a low-stakes experimental improvisation, intended to be ephemeral. More than that, it’s an opportunity to hang with artists and make stuff together. The Niagara arts community is mighty and this Drop In Lab expands our ideas of collaborative art-making.

MNFF invites audiences to experience the richness and nuance of contemporary Iranian cinema. The evening features Irani Bag, a poetic short film that captures everyday moments with striking visual intimacy, followed by the feature It Was Just an Accident, a gripping story of chance, consequence, and connection. Together, these films offer a window into the beauty, humour, and complexity of modern Persian storytelling.

Step inside a world where creativity and community collide with Masala Love, a short comedy that explores family, identity, and resilience in a bustling Punjabi takeout restaurant, blending heartfelt storytelling with humour and cultural richness. Follow it with Routine Exploit’s Ora Obscura, a feature doc that captures the playful energy and collaborative spirit of artists from the alternative scene in Niagara.

Join us for a Mini Mighty Niagara Film Fest with 10 second shorts, and the best of Niagara Motion Makers! Stick around for the Drop-In Media Lab and Open Reels.

Lucky’s Lens traces the remarkable life of Fortunato “Lucky” Stracuzzi, whose journey from Sicily to Niagara Falls reflects the courage and sacrifice of countless immigrants seeking a new life. Paired with This Film Has No Meaning, a darkly funny, time-bending tale of four friends trapped in a cinematic loop, this program celebrates the heart and humour of Niagara storytelling.

In A Poet, an aging, obscure writer mentors a talented teen, hoping to give her what he never had. But their bond — rooted in good intentions — spirals into a web of poor decisions and the weight of unmet ambitions.

Join us for an immersive tour of NAC’S media library. Discover the history and techniques behind analog filmmaking, gain practical experience handling film reels, and learn about preservation methods.

Anthony Kinik presents a shorts program of Expanded Cinema projects from Expo 67 alongside a special colour-restored screening of Voyage dans la Lune, Georges Méliès’ groundbreaking 1902 masterpiece.