Film in Muskoka

Are you a film buff? Then it’s time to make your way to Muskoka for two film festivals happening in Huntsville in the next few weeks.

The second annual Film North is a collection of works by emerging Canadian and International filmmakers. 36 short and feature-length films will screen at Algonquin Theatre this year including two with local connections: West Wind: A Vision of Tom Thomson and The Natural Brook Trout - Lakes of Algonquin Park. Film categories include drama, documentary, comedy, horror, thriller, musical and sci-fi fantasy. There are also Q & A sessions with attending filmmakers, receptions, an awards ceremony and a closing night after-party. For ticket info, visit the Film North website.

On October 7, the Radical Reels Tour, part of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, makes a stop in Huntsville. The program includes short, action-packed adrenaline sport films about climbing, paddling, mountain biking, BASE jumping, skiing, and snowboarding.

Did you know that there are several movies, both for TV and the big screen, that have been filmed in Muskoka?

• The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) was partially filmed at Windermere House in Gravenhurst. (The historic building burned to the ground during the filming.)
• Sunshine Sketches of a Small Town, based on the book by Stephen Leacock, was filmed by CBC in Gravenhurst just this year.
• Purrfect Predators, a documentary on the Discovery Channel, was filmed at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. It starred Kokanee the cougar, Yeti the lynx, Rufus the bobcat, Hyde the wolverine, Kootenay the black bear, Oreo the skunk and Peter the cotton-tail plus a supporting cast of deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, snowshoe hare, caribou, and grizzly bear. Animals from the Centre have also appeared in other TV and big screen productions.

We haven’t had Hollywood come knocking at Colonial Bay’s doors yet but with the gorgeous scenery here, it’s only a matter of time! And the next time you come to stay in one of our Muskoka cottages, why not break out your video camera for a production starring you?

Fall is almost upon us. The leaves are just starting to change colour and while the nights are cooler but our days are still warm and sunny. Perfect weather to head out for a hike and then come back to the warmth of a glowing fire.

You can view our availability and make reservations for our Muskoka cottages on Colonial Bay’s new website.

We hope to see you soon,
The Howell family