Yellowknife’s Capitol Theatre may have closed but you still have at least one more chance to watch films on its big screens – and at no cost.
Yellowknife based non-profit Western Arctic Moving Pictures, commonly known as WAMP, will host free screenings of three films at the theatre on the evening of Wednesday, April 15 to celebrate National Canadian Film Day.
Bran Ramsey, executive director of WAMP, told Cabin Radio the event – sponsored by Reel Canada – is among screenings taking place across the country that day.
“They have this huge catalogue of Canadian films to choose from,” he said. “It’s exciting to go through their catalogue and see the years and years and years of work and get to choose awesome films.”
With the Yellowknife theatre closed, WAMP will use all three screens to play Canadian films.
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Endless Cookie, a 2025 animated documentary that explores stories from the different upbringings of two half-brothers, one Indigenous and one white, is set to screen at 7pm.
Youngblood will screen at 7:30pm. The sports drama, inspired by the 1986 film of the same name, follows a hockey prodigy who has to deal with toxic behaviour during his journey to the NHL draft.
The 1994 film Dance Me Outside will screen at 8pm. It follows two young men living on a fictional reserve in northern Ontario and the aftermath of a young, Indigenous woman’s murder by a white man.
Events need support to continue
Ahead of the screenings, DJ Jonny Vu will spin nostalgic film soundtracks in the lobby. Snacks will be available for purchase.
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“Come support these fun events. They’re important. If you don’t support them, they go away,” said Ramsey.
“The theatre closing on March 31 is a prime example of that.”
People can get free tickets to the screenings on WAMP’s website.
The Hay River Film Society is separately hosting a free screening of Mile End Kicks at the Riverview Cineplex for National Canadian Film Day at 7pm.
The romantic comedy follows a music critic who moves to Montreal and becomes romantically involved with two members of the same indie band.
A ‘big year’ for YKIFF
Beyond National Canadian Film Day, Ramsey said this November will be the 20th-anniversary edition of the Yellowknife International Film Festival.
He said the closure of the Capital Theatre has thrown “a bit of a wrench” in WAMP’s plans for the festival, but the organization plans to pivot to the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre as the main venue.
“It will likely be a big year,” he said.
Ramsey said other Yellowknife venues where films can screen in the city include the Top Knight and Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.
