Charlottetown Film Festival rebrands as Anchor Fest, expanding into TV, comedy and music
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
The Charlottetown Film Festival is getting a new name and a broader scope.
For its 12th year, the Prince Edward Island-based event will relaunch as Anchor Fest, expanding beyond film to include television, comedy, music and podcasts.
Organizers say the change was inspired by multi-arts festivals such as South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, with the goal of connecting emerging and established artists with industry professionals across Canada.
The first edition is set to run Oct. 14–18, 2026.
Programming will include Canadian and select international features with “a bold and comedic lens,” more world premieres and interactive screenings. The festival also plans to feature musical performances, stand-up showcases, live podcast tapings and industry panels focused on Canadian creators and trends in East Coast music and screen arts.
Anchor Fest will be run by a newly founded non-profit organization called the Anchor Motion Picture Alliance.
Jenna MacMillan, former director of the Charlottetown Film Festival and now executive director of Anchor Fest, says audiences in Atlantic Canada are “hungry for innovative, cutting-edge, and comedic content.”
“We’ve been inspired by festivals from all over the world, from Galway to SXSW, to bring fresh, new ideas to our audiences,” she said in a statement.
“We hope that Anchor can expand its scope, and expand its audiences.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2025.