Celebrating its 20th anniversary under the theme “Eyeballs Up,” the Canadian Film Fest 2026 showcases the diversity and creative vitality of Canadian cinema. From inventive shorts and Indigenous filmmaking to intimate dramas, documentaries, and genre experimentation, the festival offers a rich panorama of contemporary storytelling. Hudson Moura examines the festival’s short-film programmes alongside reviews of three feature films: *A Breed Apart*, *Akashi*, and *The Bearded Girl*.