After 15 incredible years of bringing the community together to celebrate the best in queer cinema, it is with a heavy heart that we share that Inside Out will not be returning to Ottawa.
This decision was not made lightly. Like many film festivals across North America, we continue to face significant financial obstacles, including a slower-than-expected post-pandemic recovery, high inflation, and ongoing fundraising challenges. As we focus our efforts on sustaining and strengthening our flagship festival in Toronto, we have made the difficult decision to conclude Inside Out’s Ottawa chapter.
While our festival weekend in Ottawa won’t continue, our commitment to this community remains strong. We look forward to future collaborations, including our ongoing work with MAX Ottawa and special one-off screenings. If you’re interested in partnering with us to bring queer film programming to Ottawa, we’d love to hear from you.
We also want to ensure that Ottawa audiences remain a vital part of Inside Out. As we celebrate our 35th anniversary in Toronto, we warmly invite you to join us—whether in person at TIFF Lightbox or online screenings designed to bring the festival experience to you with the following offers:
- Join us virtually with 25% off a Digital All-Access Pass
- Join us in Toronto: 25% off a 6-Pack Ticket Package (in-person) and 15% off your stay in Toronto at Soho Hotel
- Redeem your discounts by emailing boxoffice@insideout.ca with the subject line Ottawa Offer 2025
Your presence and support have always been integral to Inside Out, and we hope you’ll continue to be part of our story in new ways. Ottawa has been an essential part of Inside Out’s story, and we are endlessly grateful for the vibrant, passionate community that has supported us over the years. While this may be the end of our festival in Ottawa, we know the love for queer film will continue to thrive, and we hope the community carries that spirit forward in new ways.
Elie Chivi
Executive Director, Inside Out