The 2026 Fairfield Productions Film Showcase Brought Emerging Filmmakers to the Revue Cinema

Photos courtesy of Fairfield Productions

HOW Five Canadian guys in their early 20s turned a scrappy idea into a buzzing film event that’s gaining real momentum

There was nothing pretentious about the 2026 Fairfield Productions Film Showcase. No red carpet, no industry posturing, just a full theatre, a lineup of short films, and a group of young filmmakers taking the opportunity seriously. Hosted at the historic Revue Cinema in Roncevalles—the beloved century-old indie theatre that made major headlines last year over its lease dispute with its landlord before ultimately securing a future thanks to community support—the showcase felt like the perfect ode to grassroots cinema culture. 

Fairfield Productions, made up of Maarten Colenbrander, Marco Ciardullo, Ryan Liew, Jack Baker, and Michael Dodaro, feels a lot like the showcase they’ve built: young, playful, a little chaotic, and clearly coming into its own. Now in its third year, the Fairfield Productions Film Showcase mirrors the moment these guys are in themselves: DIY at heart, still having fun, but noticeably sharper around the edges. What once felt like a scrappy passion project has started to settle into something more confident and intentional. This year’s event proved that Fairfield is no longer just a fun idea dreamed up by a group of friends; it’s growing into a real fixture in Toronto’s film scene.

Held earlier in the day than past years (a small but impactful tweak), the pacing felt smoother, the energy stayed high (helped along by live music from house band Good Group Thanks for Coming). The room was packed—over 200 people, full house—which gave the whole thing a buzzy, communal feeling. 

Good Group Thanks For Coming killed it all night long

This year also introduced a judges panel, Grant Cooper, Christina Ienna, and Josh Willick, who reviewed hundreds of submissions. A slightly bleak note from the panel: a huge number of entries were AI-generated. While disheartening, it underscored the exact reason why local film showcases like Fairfield’s are so important. In an era where AI is rapidly encroaching on the arts, independent theatres and grassroots showcases like this are doing the real work of protecting, celebrating, and platforming human creativity.

Fairfield kicked things off with their own short, It Must Be the Oysters, and it was genuinely funny. Their humour has sharpened, and Maarten, in particular, is fully coming into his own as a comedic presence, with a knack for physical comedy that reminds me of Chris Fleming.

The standout short films were plentiful. After Prayer (the Judge’s Winner) was a quiet knockout, anchored by incredible child actors and minimal dialogue. Though rooted in a Muslim story, it felt universally tender—a soft, innocent portrayal of young hearts wanting to connect. 

I’m Not Supposed to Be Here (the Audience Winner) leaned Black Mirror-esque, (spoilers ahead!) cleverly tricking the audience into thinking they’re watching a flashback, only to reveal it’s actually a present-day PTSD experiment.

No Trespassing in Transylvania was pure joy: an artsy, kid-like indie made by a group of brothers and their dad. Sweet, funny, and refreshingly boyish, it radiated positive masculinity. 

Pies (Sierra’s favourite) carried a strange, compelling tension—an Othello-esque father-son dynamic, capitalistic undertones, and just enough discomfort. 

There’s No Time brought laughs, with Sam Bird from CBC’s Street Cents (shoutout to Omar Taleb, the producer Street Cents, who we made a bunch of videos with this summer!)

A Mustard Seed Grows, my personal favourite, was beautifully shot and deeply personal, tracing the director’s move from Singapore to Canada and the ache of distance as his parents grow older, praying for his return.

Finally, Taco Boy closed things out tenderly: a quietly devastating story about a dying dog, family grief, and the strange ways people cope—sad, beautiful, and painfully relatable.

After the winners were announced and the band played us out, and the crowd spilled into the lobby and bar next door for networking, it became very clear why nights like this matter. For Canadian cinema, young creatives, and anyone trying to make something meaningful before they’re fully “ready,” events like the Fairfield Productions Film Showcase offer more than just a screen. They offer permission: to try, to grow, and to be seen.