Canada's 150th birthday to be marked with National Canadian Film Day

Three year old Sam Kashfi smiles as he watches the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal, Wednesday, July 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO -- National Canadian Film Day will unspool across the country in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday next year.

The non-profit organization Reel Canada announced the federal and Ontario governments have pledged funding to back the initiative as an official signature project of the sesquicentennial.

The cross-country event is being billed as the world's largest one-day film festival and will take place on April 19.

Festivities will include more than 600 community screenings across Canada and tentpole events in major cities, including a pop-up drive-in in Ottawa.

The Toronto International Film Festival will partner with Reel Canada to present 150 free screenings at various locations across the country.

Interactive webcasts in English and French will also be held for students across Canada and major broadcasters will air Canadian films on various channels and streaming platforms.