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Circle Theatre revives New Tecumseth Film Festival with six days of screenings

January 30, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Film buffs will be looking forward to seeing a variety of different films this week when the Circle Theatre in Alliston hosts the New Tecumseth film festival on its Victoria Street movie screen.

Over six days, the theatre will show 13 films.

“Last year was the first year we brought film festival back,” explained Circle Theatre’s event coordinator Colleen Cranford, “There was a festival in 2017, 18, and 19, but then COVID happened and put a stop to it. We had a great turnout last year. It’s a good time of year for a festival because people want to be inside. We have 13 films playing this year, and it’s a good mix. We have five Canadian films this year. We have comedies, thrillers, some for all ages, and some classics. Friday is a PA day for school, so we have films all day, and we try to do more all-ages films on that day. We will be showing the movie David, which is animated as well as the Wizard of Oz, which is a classic.”

The Circle Theatre has achieved a legendary status in Alliston, with people of all ages having fond memories of going to the movies and seeing their favourite movies on the big screen.

Hollywood’s greatest stars have appeared on the Circle Theatre’s screen as the movie house has existed through the golden age of Hollywood, when big stars like Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Bette Davis were on the marquee.

Built in 1938 by Shelburne resident Oliver Stewart, the theatre’s first movie was “Artists and Models,” starring Jack Benny. The biggest box office hit of 1938 was “You Can’t Take it With You,” starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur and directed by fabled movie director Frank Capra.

The Circle Theatre was the first building in Alliston to have air conditioning, so patrons would be comfortable on a hot summer day.

In 1941, Mr. Steward installed a new sign in front of the building with a V-shaped marquee.

The theatre changed hands in 1958 when projectionist Whitney MacDonald purchased the theatre.

Many long-time Alliston residents remember Whitney’s son Scott, who took over the theatre from his father in 1985.

Peter and Kate Vander Zaag purchased the theatre in 2012 after it had been closed for some time following Scott’s death.

After a full renovation, the Circle Theatre reopened in 2012 with “Hotel Transylvania” and “Pitch Perfect” as the opening films.

Movie goers will also have the chance to win dinner at a downtown Alliston restaurant courtesy of the Alliston Business Improvement Association.

The ‘Dinner and a Movie’ giveaway, valued at $150, will enter movie patrons into a draw for every ticket purchased for the Film Festival, with weekend pass holders receiving five entries.

Winners will be notified on Jan. 27.

The New Tecumseth Film Festival will get underway on Thursday, Jan. 29.

Check the Circle Theatre website for each film’s rating.

Here’s the lineup of films in the festival:

• Thursday, Jan. 29 – Wizard of Oz (1939) – 2:00 p.m., “Marty Supreme” – 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 30 – David – 1:00 p.m., Calorie – 4:00 p.m., “Wizard of Oz” (1939) – 7:00 p.m., “Boys Go to Jupiter” – 9:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 31 – “We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of the Ontario Farmerettes” – 1:00 p.m., “This Too Shall Pass” – 3:00 p.m., “Sentimental Value” – 6:00 p.m., “Eternity” – 9:15 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 1 – “David” – 1:00 p.m., “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” – 4:00 p.m., “The Fortunate Ones” Screening plus Q&A with Mark Weeden – 6:30 p.m., “No Other Choice” – 9:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 2 – Sentimental Value – 2:00 p.m., “Honey Bunch” – 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 3 – “Calorie” – 2:00 p.m., “Boys Go to Jupiter” – 7:30 p.m.

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