Forest City Film Festival Gala
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2026 Forest City Film Festival Gala
The celebration begins here. As the official opening event of the Forest City Film Festival, the Gala sets the stage for an incredible 11 days of premieres, industry masterclasses, and networking mixers.
The Gala brings together film lovers, industry creators, and community leaders for a beautiful evening of connection and celebration. Join us as we look ahead at the blockbuster week of events, toast the vibrant future of regional filmmaking, and gather together to launch the 2026 festival season in style.
- The 2026 Impact Award Honouree
Emma Donoghue
In 2026, we are proud to present the inaugural Impact Award to Irish-Canadian novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, Emma Donoghue. Born in Dublin and having lived across Ireland and England, Emma has called London, Ontario, home since 1998.
She is perhaps best known for the film Room (2015), which she adapted from her own international bestselling novel. The film earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and a nomination for best adapted screenplay, and won the Oscar for Best Actress. Emma has since continued to shape the landscape of contemporary film with the Netflix hit The Wonder (2022) and her latest screenplay, an adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s memoir H is for Hawk (2025).
Beyond the screen, Emma’s work across decades and genres often explores the complexities of parent-child relationships and what it means to find one’s place in the world. We look forward to welcoming Emma to the Forest City Film Festival Gala stage this October 15th to celebrate her impact and the stories that continue to resonate with audiences far beyond our borders.
Featured Gala Guests
Karen Bruce
Executive Director, WIFT+ Toronto
We are honoured to welcome Karen Bruce to the stage as our Impact Award Host, where she will lead the evening’s feature interview with 2026 Honouree Emma Donoghue.
With over 20 years of senior leadership experience, Karen is a dedicated champion for advancing equity, diversity, and mentorship within Canada’s screen-based media industry. She currently serves as the Executive Director of WIFT+ Toronto, overseeing professional development and advocacy for women+ in media. Prior to this, Karen was the Director of Membership & Fan Engagement at the Canadian Academy, where she developed the national Directors Program for Women. She also served as Director of Canadian Initiatives at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where she was instrumental in nurturing emerging talent through landmark programs like the TIFF Talent Lab and Rising Stars.
Jordan Hart
Gold-Certified Singer-Songwriter & Producer
We are thrilled to welcome Jordan Hart to the Gala for an exclusive live music experience, setting the tone during our welcome drinks and closing out the night during the final cocktail hour.
Jordan is a powerhouse, Gold-certified producer and singer-songwriter whose cinematic soundscapes beautifully blend contemporary roots with soul. With over 32 million streams worldwide, his critically acclaimed music has captured global attention, sound-tracking hit series like Grey’s Anatomy and Manifest, and anchoring the award-winning film Free Bird. A veteran headliner known for selling out venues across the country with his breathtaking vocal talent and captivating presence, Jordan will elevate our entire evening, offering our guests an intimate, high-energy live performance to launch the festival week.
Stories that leave a mark
The Forest City Film Festival is proud to present the Impact Award, an evolution of our legacy recognition. This honour celebrates exceptional Canadian storytellers who have shaped the film and television industry, while maintaining a meaningful connection to Southwestern Ontario.
David Shore
In 2025, our second annual Lifetime Achievement in Entertainment Award was presented to London-born, Emmy-winning creator of House M.D. and The Good Doctor, David Shore.
Shore’s return to his hometown was a masterclass in storytelling and community connection. Beyond the sold-out screenings of his iconic work and deep-dive Q&As into the art of the “medical procedural,” David took the time to visit his former high school, A.B. Lucas Secondary School, to inspire the next generation of London writers.
The Forest City Film Festival Gala itself became an international event when House M.D. star Hugh Laurie flew in from England to surprise David on stage, a moment that brought the London audience to their feet. They were joined virtually by The Good Doctor star Freddie Highmore, proving that while David’s career is global, his heart remains in the Forest City.
Victor Garber
In 2024, our inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Entertainment Award was presented to one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood history, the London-born legend of stage and screen, Victor Garber (Titanic, Alias, Argo).
Garber returned to his roots for a series of sold-out retrospective screenings, where he sat down for intimate Q&As to discuss his journey from London community theatre to the Academy Award-winning Titanic (1997).
To celebrate his incredible career, a “who’s who” of Hollywood icons, including Jennifer Garner, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and director J.J. Abrams joined the ceremony virtually to share their personal stories of Victor. It was a powerful testament to the massive impact our regional stars have on the world stage.