On May 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., we’re opening our doors for Doors Open Toronto and inviting you to explore our historic property, heritage buildings, and picturesque grounds.
Stroll through the estate and view our landmark buildings. Watch a selection of short films created by CFC residents and alumni in our basement cinema, and enjoy lawn games including Giant Jenga, Basketball Shoot, and the Knock Down Carnival Game.
Join a guided tour and uncover the story of Windfields Estate, from its origins as a private residence to its present-day role as the home of the Canadian Film Centre, a charitable cultural organization. Learn how we collaborate with Canadian filmmakers, actors, writers, and composers to support and advance their creative careers.
The CFC campus is located on Windfields Estate, the former home of renowned Canadian philanthropist and entrepreneur Edward Plunket (E. P.) Taylor. E. P. Taylor and his wife, Winnifred, purchased the property in 1932 and commissioned the building of Windfields in 1936. Following WWII, they expanded the estate with additions including the north wing of the Main House, the former pool, the Stables and Cottages, and the Gatehouse, which served as Mr. Taylor’s office. The Taylors were the owners of the famed Northern Dancer, the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
In 1968, the Taylor family gifted Windfields Estate to the borough of North York. In 1998, following amalgamation, it was transferred to the City of Toronto. That same year, with the support of the Taylor family and the collaboration of CFC founder Norman Jewison, the City leased the estate to become the permanent home of the Canadian Film Centre, where we’ve proudly been ever since.
There are a variety of special events and activities happening at the Canadian Film Centre as part of Doors Open Toronto on May 25. The full schedule of events is listed below.
10:00 a.m. | CFC’s Doors Open:
Come by to explore our Main House, including the basement cinema, and the Northern Dancer Pavilion at your leisure throughout the day.
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | All-Day Activations:
- Selection of CFC short films screening in the basement theatre (please note the cinema is not a physically accessible space)
- Lawn games on the ground, including:
- Giant Jenga
- Basketball Shoot Game
- Knock Down Carnival Game
10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. | 60-Minute Guided Tour of Historic Windfields Estate:
Join a guided tour of Windfields Estate led by Jacqueline Mackey (former Executive Lead, Finance, CFC) and Jo Ann Pynn (former Supervisor, Cultural Assets, City of Toronto) to learn more about the estate’s transformation over time.
5:00 p.m. | Doors close:
That’s a wrap on Doors Open Toronto 2025 at the CFC!
All activities and events are open to the public. No registration is required.
Planning your visit to CFC for Doors Open Toronto? Here’s how to get here:
Driving directions
The Canadian Film Centre is located at 2489 Bayview Avenue, south of York Mills Road, on the east side of Bayview Avenue. Limited parking is available onsite, free of charge.
Driving from Highway 401
Exit: Bayview Avenue, southbound, and continue past York Mills Road to CFC.
Driving from the Don Valley Parkway
Exit: York Mills Road, westbound, and continue past Leslie Street. Turn Left (south) onto Bayview Avenue.
Driving from downtown Toronto
Take the Bayview Extension northbound, and continue past Lawrence Avenue.
Public Transit
Option 1:
York Mills Subway Station via the Yonge branch of Yonge/University Line.
Transfer to an eastbound bus, including any of the following routes:
#122 Graydon Hall
#115 Silver Hills
#95 York Mills (all routes)
Disembark at Bayview Avenue. Transfer to #11 Bayview South, and disembark at Bayview Ridge Crescent, OR walk 10 minutes south on Bayview to CFC’s entrance.
Option 2:
Davisville Subway Station via the Yonge branch of Yonge/University Line.
Transfer to #11 Bayview North, and continue past Sunnybrook Hospital and Lawrence Avenue. Disembark at Country Lane.
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