Designed by women.
Curated by women.
Built by women.

Visit us to learn about the journey of Canadian women in film that connects to today’s efforts to achieve gender equality.
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Did you know...
Cobourg’s very own Marie Dressler, in her 60s, was Hollywood’s top-grossing actress in 1932 and 1933.
Between 1922 and 1925, half of all films were written by women.
In 1916, Toronto-born Mary Pickford was the first actor to negotiate and receive a 1 million dollar annual salary.
Hamilton-born Florence Lawrence was the first actor whose name was used to promote her films and the studio.
By 1935, women comprised over 70% of movie audiences.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the important social issues of the day were raised by women screenwriters.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the largest salaries were earned by women actors.
Between 1932 and 1938, the top movie-making stars were women.
King Kong carried a Canadian, Fay Wray, to the top of the Empire State Building in the 1933 movie of the same name.

Exhibits

The life and accomplishments of actress Marie Dressler is one of the exhibits at the Canadian Women in Film Museum in Cobourg, ON.

Marie Dressler

Known as “Cobourg’s Sweetheart”, “Queen Marie of Hollywood”, and more, meet the woman who challenged gender expectations and dominated the screen in the 1920s and 1930s.

Meet Marie
The life and accomplishments of actress Mary Pickford is one of the exhibits at the Canadian Women in Film Museum in Cobourg, ON.
Mary Pickford
Through her captivating work both in front of and behind the camera, meet the First Million Dollar Actress from Toronto who shaped the movie industry.
Meet Mary
The life and accomplishments of actress Norma Shearer is one of the exhibits at the Canadian Women in Film Museum in Cobourg, ON.
Norma Shearer
Born in Montréal, meet the “First Lady of the Screen” who reshaped how women were portrayed on the screen.
Meet Norma
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Other Remarkable Canadian Women
We celebrate scores of Canadian women from the beginning of filmmaking to the Golden Age of Hollywood
Meet These Women
Click here to access the learning and teaching resources available from the Canadian Women in Film Museum.
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Click here to access the events listings for the Canadian Women in Film Museum.
Events →
Mar / 2024

Canadian Women in Film Museum Unveils New Cinema Featuring Pioneering Female Screen Legends

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Mar / 2024

Marie Dressler Inducted into Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame Alongside Other Comedy Greats

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Help preserve the legacy of remarkable Canadian women in the film industry.
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Your contribution helps maintain our exhibition space, take care of our collection, and develop educational programming and public outreach initiatives.