Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, ON – TheNewswire - August 10, 2026:  ReFrame Film Festival is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ryan Barnett as its new Creative Director.

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Ryan is an interdisciplinary curator, producer, writer, and lifelong advocate for the power of nonfiction storytelling. He holds a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University, and his career has spanned documentary production, public programming, and cultural engagement, always with a focus on connecting audiences to meaningful stories.

As the founder of Knockabout Media, Ryan was a recent finalist for two 2026 Digital Publishing Awards for the podcast series Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North.  He is also the author of two nonfiction books: The Raftsmen and Buster: A Life in Pictures. His work has been featured by museums, broadcasters, and publications across Canada.

"Ryan brings a remarkable combination of creativity, curiosity, technical expertise, and generosity,” says ReFrame Board Chair Dr. Melanie Buddle. “Throughout the hiring process, it became clear that he shares ReFrame's deep commitment to documentary film as a catalyst for dialogue, community connection, and social change. We couldn't be happier to welcome him to the team."

As Ryan steps into this role, ReFrame also celebrates the contributions of outgoing Creative Director Eryn Lidster, whose thoughtful leadership, artistic vision, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on the organization over the past three years.

ReFrame Film Festival is currently planning its 2027 season. The festival is actively seeking documentary films focused on social and environmental justice issues. Submissions are open via FilmFreeway until August 21, 2026.

About ReFrame Film Festival
Based in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Ontario, ReFrame Film Festival is a community celebration of documentary film and media art centred on social and environmental justice. Each year, approximately 15,000 people engage with ReFrame through its annual festival and year-round community programming.

The festival's in-person programming takes place each year during the last weekend of January, with screenings, artist talks, workshops, and special events presented across multiple downtown Peterborough venues. The festival then continues online the following week, bringing award-winning documentary films to audiences across Canada.

Committed to accessibility, ReFrame offers all programming on a pay-what-you-can basis, encouraging audiences to participate regardless of financial circumstances. The festival also works to reduce barriers through captioning, accessible venues, and community partnerships that help make documentary film available to everyone.

For more information, visit reframefilmfestival.ca.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Kait Dueck, Executive Director
info@reframefilmfestival.ca
https://reframefilmfestival.ca/