Canadian Feature Film Database

The Canadian Feature Film database is based on the printed publication Canadian Feature Film Index begun in 1972.

The database

  • compiles the principal credits of every Canadian feature film from 1913 to 2006;
  • establishes a list of Canadian feature films from published information up to 2006; and
  • features over 4,300 films.

Database context

Canadian film
is any film in which a production company incorporated in Canada is involved. (Note: Foreign capital investments and/or percentage of Canadian participation, are not factored into the definition of a Canadian film.)
feature film
is any audio-visual document available on a film, magnetic or digital support, irrespective of content, running more than 60 minutes.
  • Official and unofficial co-productions with other countries have been included.
  • Exceptions include: some silent films whose true original running time is impossible to determine, a few theatrical features made between 1933 and 1937, and René Bail's seminal work of 1959, Les Désoeuvrés.

(Note: Foreign capital investments and/or percentage of Canadian participation, are not factored into the definition of a Canadian film.)

Objectives of the database

  • to have as complete and accurate list of films as possible
  • to find as many unknown films as possible
  • to correct errors in the current records

(Note: The establishment of exhaustive credits on each film is a future goal.)

Historical note

  • Production information on new films was added steadily to the original 500 records since 1975.
  • Newspapers, Canadian and American trade periodicals, as well as, interviews with pioneers and their relatives added to the production information.
  • Changes and/or updates to the shooting dates, the laboratory processing and the negatives, and titles have been made on a continuing basis over the years.
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