The
STratford
FIlm
Festival
FIlm Festival
Origin Story
Originally launched in 1956 under the direction of Stratford’s patron saint of the Arts, Tom Patterson, the Stratford Film Festival was one of the first events in North America to celebrate international film. Paused in 1961, the film festival was revived in 1971 and ran until 1975.
50 years later, the Stratford Film Festival returns with a new mission: to celebrate exceptional films and filmmakers with a true commitment to Canadian content, gender parity and inclusivity.
In a world bloated with more content than context, the SFF stands apart from the crowd, inspiring new perspectives through live screenings, panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As and vibrant social gatherings.
We’re
Film
People
Meet the SFF Co-Founders
We love every aspect of making movies – from the inception of a great idea to the thrill of applause after an amazing premiere. Simply put, our goal is to celebrate innovative films and filmmakers from around the world and around the corner.
Writer, Producer, Filmmaker
SFF Executive Director, Megan Smith-Harris, is a Canadian writer, producer, and independent filmmaker.
Megan Smith-Harris & Bill Harris
A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producer Lab, Megan met her husband, SFF General Manager Bill Harris, during HotDocs. At the time, Bill was a senior programming executive with A&E Television and The History Channel. The couple got engaged on their fifth date and married in Toronto a year later during HotDocs.
A Life in Film and Theatre
Moving to New York, Megan expanded her professional portfolio producing network television programs, independent documentaries and feature films. When Bill left the corporate world he began teaching graduate film and television production and oversaw the restoration and reopening of a century-old theatre in Connecticut.
Driving Film Forward
Together, Megan and Bill produced several acclaimed independent documentaries, while also curating and hosting a monthly screening series for over a decade. Asked to revitalize a film festival in Connecticut, they took on the challenge and quadrupled audience attendance, increased the donor and sponsorship base, and consistently ranked in FilmFreeway’s “Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals.”
Building Stratford’s Screen Scene
Relocating to Stratford in late 2021, Megan and Bill are now fully committed to leveraging their extensive experience to launch the newly reimagined Stratford Film Festival and making it an integral part of the city’s vibrant arts community.
Writer, Producer, Filmmaker
SFF Executive Director, Megan Smith-Harris, is a Canadian writer, producer, and filmmaker who began her career acting and writing comedy (The Second City, CBC Radio) and producing independent documentaries.
Megan Smith-Harris & Bill Harris
A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Producer Lab, Megan met her husband, SFF General Manager Bill Harris, during HotDocs. At the time, Bill was a senior programming executive with A&E Television and The History Channel. The couple got engaged on their fifth date and married in Toronto a year later during HotDocs.
A Life in Film and Theatre
Moving to New York, Megan expanded her professional portfolio producing network television programs, independent documentaries and feature films. When Bill left the corporate world he began teaching graduate film and television production and oversaw the restoration and reopening of a century-old theatre in Connecticut.
Driving Film Forward
Together, Megan and Bill produced several acclaimed independent documentaries, while also curating and hosting a monthly screening series for over a decade. Asked to revitalize a film festival in Connecticut, they took on the challenge and quadrupled audience attendance, increased the donor and sponsorship base, and consistently ranked in FilmFreeway’s “Top 100 Best Reviewed Film Festivals.”
Building Stratford’s Screen Scene
Relocating to Stratford in late 2021, Megan and Bill are now fully committed to leveraging their extensive experience to launch the newly reimagined Stratford Film Festival and making it an integral part of the city’s vibrant arts community.