Carnival & Fair News

Independent filmmaker Daryl Granger has completed an impressive documentary about the carnival industry titled The Showmen. The film chronicles his year-long experience working with World's Finest Shows, offering an intimate look at a traveling carnival featuring more than 50 rides, games, and concessions.

The documentary opens during the carnival off-season, highlighting the essential work behind the scenes - organization, permits, staff management, and the transformation of small towns into vibrant festivals complete with a full midway. As viewers follow the carnival through an entire season, the film also delves into the rich heritage of the midway, drawing audiences into an immersive connection with the showmen themselves.

Completed on March 17, the film has already been selected for eleven film festivals worldwide, including the Touchstone Independent Film Festival.

Granger explains, “I started with the show in March of 2025 and finished up in Gibbtown this year. I immersed myself with World's Finest Shows partly because they are headquartered just ten minutes from where I live in Canada. But they are also a top-notch show with a lot of history and truly represent the modern midway carnival in terms of everything they handle.”



According to Granger, the film covers every aspect of carnival life, including “safety, the cost of bringing in a new ride, and what it's really like on the road.” During filming, World's Finest Shows acquired a new Dumbo ride from Czechoslovakia, giving him insight into the process of purchasing and integrating new attractions. He emphasizes that one of his main goals was to portray the reality of carnival life and dispel common misconceptions about “carny” culture.

The filmmaker also explores the history and traditions of the carnival midway. “The word ‘midway' originated at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, where rides were located along the ‘Midway Plaisance,'” he notes. That same location was home to the first Ferris wheel, which stood approximately 262 feet tall.

“I used AI on historic photographs to bring that Ferris wheel to life, showing it in motion. It offers a completely new perspective on that first experience,” he adds.

In addition, the documentary covers topics such as sideshows, the historical use of tents and banners to enhance the appearance of early midways, and the complexity and skill involved in modern carnival setups.

“Traveling with the show, I dressed as a showman and trained to operate rides and work the games,” Granger says. “In the past, I was someone who would walk right past the games, but working them gave me a completely different perspective. It was humbling. I became part of the carnival—the only difference was that I had a camera.”



He was also struck by the extensive cabling required to operate the rides, as well as the intricate processes involved in setting up and tearing down each show.

“Patrick and Stacy Jamieson, who own the show, purchased it from their father, Barry, and they gave me extraordinary access to their 93-year family history in the carnival business,” Granger shares.

A one-man production crew, Granger handled shooting, directing, editing, and marketing. “We used drones, an FX3, and even GoPros depending on what I needed—different angles, different viewpoints. I used everything at my disposal,” he says. He also narrates his own films.

The Showmen marks Granger's third feature documentary in just two years. His previous works include Netting the Waters, focused on the fishing industry, and Young Farmers, which tells the story of a seventh-generation, seven-year-old farmer.

However, the carnival industry held a unique fascination for him. “One of the most interesting things about the carnival business is that people love the magic it creates, yet there are still negative stereotypes that simply aren't true. Today, carnival life is about mobile family entertainment, and most shows work incredibly hard to create a positive experience,” he explains.

“They come and go in the night, setting up the midway and then disappearing again. But that magic—that allure—is real. I love the feel, the look, and even the smell of the midway,” he adds.

Granger also came to appreciate the broader economic impact of carnivals. “Without a midway, fairs and festivals wouldn't be the same. Beyond providing rides and entertainment, carnivals contribute significantly to local economies. Some events can generate up to 45% of their revenue from the midway. On top of that, show operators support local communities by purchasing supplies and using local services.”

On a personal level, the experience left a lasting impression. “I discovered that I absolutely love loading the Scrambler,” he says with a laugh. “I don't know what it is, but I loved doing that job. The kids and adults are so happy, and you feed off that energy. You secure them, run the ride, and watch their joy—it's incredibly rewarding.”

The film premieres on May 4 in Canadian theaters, and Granger is currently working on marketing and broader distribution. U.S. audiences can expect the film to be available on streaming platforms soon.