Cobourg is set to host the Eye2Eye Film Festival from June 6th to 8th at Victoria Hall, presented by Film Access Northumberland. The festival offers a platform for emerging filmmakers and features a diverse lineup of films, workshops, and discussions aimed at fostering community engagement through cinema.
Festival Co-Director Lesley Myers tells us Eye2Eye is a hybrid festival showing both older films and ones that have yet to be released.
This year’s theme is Legacy which is carried out throughout the line-up of films that will be presented beginning with Sunset Boulevard and carrying through the weekend with films like Rocketman, Thelma and Home Free.
Sarah Cleveland, who returns as Festival Co-Director this year, offers this advice for those planning to attend.
A standout in this year’s lineup is the documentary The Legend in Me. The film delves into the life of Chas Conacher, the non-binary great-grandchild of Canadian sports icon Lionel Conacher, exploring themes of identity and legacy.
Director Calvin Hudson Hwang tells us more about the challenges of telling this unique story.
Following the screening, both Hwang and Conacher will participate in a film talk to discuss the documentary’s themes and production.
Festival’s Schedule:
FRIDAY JUNE 6
9:30am – Sunset Boulevard
12:30pm – Red Fever
3:00pm – The Legend in Me (Documentary, 2025)
This film explores the journey of Chas Conacher, the non-binary great-grandchild of Canadian sports legend Lionel Conacher. A film talk with director Calvin Hudson Hwang and Chas Conacher will follow the screening.
6:30pm – Rocketman – Opening Night Gala
A “Dress-to-Impress” event celebrating the commencement of the festival.
SATURDAY JUNE 7
9:30am – Star Wars: A New Hope – includes a prize for best sy-fy costume and the first 50 kids will recieve a FREE Wookie Cookie from Ella’s Kitchen!
12:30pm – Thelma
3:00pm – Falling
7:00pm – A Thousand Cuts
SUNDAY JUNE 8
9:30am – Film Newcomer Showcase
11:00am – Directing Actors – Workshop – an interactive masterclass focusing on the art of directing actors.
1:30pm – Film Forward Showcase – A short film competition for emerging filmmakers living, studying, or working in Ontario. Awards will support and connect filmmakers to industry resources.
3:30pm – The Long Rider
7:30pm – Home Free – Closing Night Gala Presentation
The festival concludes with this special screening. A film talk with director Avi Federgreen will follow.
Ticket Information:
Individual Film Tickets: $12
Youth Tickets: $6
Reserved Tables (6-8 people): $80
Full-Weekend Festival Passes: $95
Additional events include a directing actors workshop with Ron Lea and the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, highlighting new talent in the film industry. Tickets for individual films are priced at $12, with youth tickets at $6 and reserved tables for 6-8 people at $80. Full-weekend passes are available for $95.
For the complete schedule and ticket purchases, visit tickets.cobourg.ca or filmaccessnorthumberland.ca, drop by the Victoria Hall box office or call 855-372-2210.
Click this link for a teaser trailer of what the weekend holds and get your popcorn and snacks ready!
(Written by: Joseph Goden)