Educational Catalogue: JK to Grade 8 Films
- Own Voice
Short Film Programme
If you’d like to show several short films together as a programme, please feel free to get in touch for advice and tips on selecting the perfect combination for your needs.
Director
Various
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Classics, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Discrimination, Environment, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Sports, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, French
Mon Cirque à Moi (My Very Own Circus)
While some children may want to run away and join the circus, Laura (Jasmine Lemée), a young girl in rural Quebec, has grown up in a travelling circus and desperately wants a normal life. Her father (Patrick Huard) is a clown in the circus and can't understand the need for a conventional life, believing that learning happens on the road. As their differences become more apparent, he must accept the fact that his daughter may not want to follow in his footsteps, and let her live the life that she wants.
Miryam Bouchard's debut feature Mon cirque à moi is a heartwarming and hilarious crowd-pleaser that celebrates the power of family in all of its forms.
Director
Miryam Bouchard
Bouchard is an award-winning writer and director. She started her career by directing music videos, and has directed many shorts and TV series, including M’entends-tu?, L'Échappée, Mon ex à moi, Les Chroniques d'une mère indigne, Yin Yang, and La guerre des sexes. Mon Cirque à Moi was her debut feature. She has also directed Lignes de fruite and 23 Décembre.
Writers
Miryam Bouchard, Martin Forget
Cast
Patrick Huard, Jasmine Lemée, Sophie Lorain, Robin Aubert
Producer
Antonello Cozzolino
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Man Who Invented Christmas
After a string of flops, Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey) finds inspiration from his own life to write his most famous work, A Christmas Carol. With a tight deadline and doubt over how successful a Christmas book can be, Dickens must work around the clock and ends up living out the novel’s most famous scenes in his own study, in order to find the story that would come to be beloved by millions.
Also featuring screen legend Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge, The Man Who Invented Christmas is a fascinating look behind the scenes of the creation of a classic and beloved novel, and a charming portrait of one of the most famous authors of all time.
“A surprisingly fresh movie about a story we all know very well.” - Peter Howell, The Toronto Star
Director
Bharat Nalluri
Writers
Susan Coyne, Les Standiford, Charles Dickens
Cast
Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce
Producers
Niv Fichman, Robert Mickelson, Vadim Jean, Ian Sharples, Susan Mullen
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Asian Filmmaker, Biography, History
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure
Based on the popular kids TV series, Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure is a fun and exciting adventure story for young audiences.
Director
Dominique Monfery
Writer
John Van Bruggen
Cast
Louise Cheka, Kevin Sommier, Ariane Aggiage, Isabelle Volpe
Producers
Jérémie Fajner, Cynthia Taylor
Genres
Animation, Family
Interests
Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Nelvana
The Little Bear Movie
While on a camping trip, Little Bear and his father find a lost cub who has been separated from his parents by a storm. The two become fast friends, and after Cub saves Little Bear from a mountain lion named Trouble, the pair return to Little Bear’s house to meet his pals Cat, Owl, Duck and Hen. The group of friends set out on an exciting adventure to find Cub’s parents.
Based on the beloved book series by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, The Little Bear Movie is a rollicking adventure story, full of the joys and responsibilities of friendship and teamwork.
Director
Raymond Jafelice
Writers
Raymond Jafelice, Nancy Barr
Cast
Kristin Fairlie, Dan Hennessey, Janet-Laine Green
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Family
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
Nelvana
Pippi Longstocking
Nobody sees the world quite like Pippi Longstocking, an irrepressible and irresistible nine-year-old who also happens to be the strongest girl in the world. After travelling for years with her pirate father, Pippi settles down in a small town with her horse and her monkey, only to be rudely bothered by a meddling socialite and a couple of bumbling thieves out to get her father’s treasure. Throughout everything, Pippi’s boundless energy and wit make this a perfect story for all ages, complete with catchy musical numbers and memorable shenanigans.
Based on Astrid Lindgren’s classic novel series, Pippi Longstocking continues to charm audiences and remains a positive role model for her indomitable spirit.
Directors
Michael Schaack, Clive A. Smith
Writers
Astrid Lindgren, Catharina Stackelberg
Cast
Melissa Altro, Catherine O'Hara, Carole Pope
Producers
Waldemar Bergendahl, Michael Hirsh
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Family
Interests
Classics, Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Nelvana
La course des tuques (Racetime)
This fun and action-packed sequel is a wild romp through the trials and tribulations, passionate joys and little victories of childhood. Frankie and Sophie are teaming up for a spectacular sled race through the village, and this time they’ve got some new friends along for the ride, including the mysterious Zac and his musical cousin Charly.
Directors
François Brisson, Benoit Godbout
Writers
Paul Risacher, Claude Landry, Maxime Landry
Cast
Mariloup Wolfe, Hélène Bourgeois Leclerc, Sophie Cadieux, André Sauvé
Producer
Marie-Claude Beauchamp
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Interests
Bullying, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Pachamama
Ten-year-old Teplupai has always wanted to be a spiritual leader, but nobody will take him seriously. When a tax collector takes away his village’s sacred treasure, he sets off on a quest to find and reclaim it. However, when he arrives in the big city, his world is forever changed as he witnesses the first arrival of Europeans to the continent, and the devastation that follows.
This beautifully animated adventure set hundreds of years ago in the Andean region is a thrilling and moving story that has resonated with young audiences around the world, and was nominated for a César award for Best Animated Film.
Director
Juan Antin
Writers
Christophe Poujol, Juan Antin
Producer
Didier Brunner
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Family
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, History
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
Maurice Richard (The Rocket)
But this is much more than a sports movie. Director Binamé frames the story in a cultural context: It isn’t until Richard, a man of few words, begins to speak his mind about the inequalities and prejudice directed toward French Canadians that he finds his voice.
Many feel that the riots caused by Richard’s suspension in 1955 were the spark that fuelled the Quiet Revolution in Quebec. This hockey blockbuster is chock-full of heart and history.
The Rocket was nominated for 13 Genie Awards and won nine.
Director
Charles Binamé
Binamé’s Eldorado screened at the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 1995. He also directs for hit TV shows such as Reign, Flashpoint, Rookie Blue and Republic of Doyle. His latest film, Elephant Song, won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Writer
Ken Scott
Cast
Roy Dupuis, Julie Le Breton, Stephen McHattie, Patrice Robitaille
Producers
Daniel Louis, Denise Robert
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, History, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Sharkwater
Filmed in gorgeous high-definition video, Sharkwater takes you into shark-filled oceans, exposing the true nature of sharks as well as the way human interference has turned this noble predator into prey. Stewart teams up with a rogue environmentalist group on a breathtaking adventure to battle shark poachers around the globe. His incredible journey will make you see sharks in a whole new light.
Winner of many Audience and Critics Choice awards at film festivals around the world.
Director
Rob Stewart
Stewart was an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, whose docs Sharkwater, and Revolution earned awards at festivals worldwide. A tireless activist, Stewart was credited with saving a third of the world’s sharks. He tragically passed away in 2017, while filming Sharkwater: Extinction, which was completed posthumously and premiered at TIFF 2018.
Writer
Rob Stewart
Producers
Brian Stewart, Rob Stewart
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Environment, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Dub
La guerre des tuques (Snowtime!)
The result is a family-friendly contemporary hit full of chilly thrills, snow-fort hills, and a rollicking energy that is unstoppably fun. Fortunately, there’s also a brilliant anti-war message packed in the ice that’s sure to melt hearts.
Snowtime! (La Guerre des tuques) 3D was a bilingual box-office smash, winning the Golden Screen Award for being the highest-grossing Canadian film in 2015.
Directors
Jean-François Pouliot
In addition to over 500 commercials, Montrealer Pouliot’s credits include feature films Guide de la petite vengeance and the 2015 box-office success Dr. Cabbie as well as the hit animated film Snowtime!. Recently, he directed the feature films Les 3 p’tits cochons 2, Votez Bougon and the Snowtime! sequel, Racetime.
Writers
Paul Risacher, Normand Canac-Marquis, Roger Cantin, Danyèle Patenaude
Cast
André Sauvé, Nicholas Savard L'Herbier, Mariloup Wolfe, Sandra Oh, Ross Lynch
Producer
Marie-Claude Beauchamp
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Interest
Bullying
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Whale
The Whale charts the community’s struggle to deal with Luna, since whales who are separated from their pods rarely survive in the wild. Raising more questions than it can answer, the film is a truly compelling exploration of our relationship with animals.
“The issues surrounding the emotional lives of animals — and the often presumptuous assumption of humans that they comprehend them — are explored in The Whale with a quiet dignity and gorgeous images.” — Andy Webster, New York Times
Directors
Michael Parfit
Parfit co-founded the BC-based Mountainside Films with Suzanne Chisholm, which Realscreen once named among the world’s 100 most influential production companies. Their work has aired on CBC, CNN, PBS, BBC and National Geographic. Their latest film is Call of the Baby Beluga and they recently executive produced the doc Doeville.
Suzanne Chisholm
Chisholm co-founded the BC-based Mountainside Films with Michael Parfit, which Realscreen once named among the world’s 100 most influential production companies. Their work has aired on CBC, CNN, PBS, BBC and National Geographic. Their latest film is Call of the Baby Beluga and they recently executive produced the doc Doeville.
Cast
Ryan Reynolds
Producer
Suzanne Chisholm
Genres
Documentary, Family
Interests
Environment, ESL, Female Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
A Bear Named Winnie
It was during the early days of World War I that veterinarian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn (Michael Fassbinder) purchased a small bear cub and named her Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg. As the specter of war looms heavy in the conscience of the citizens and children of London, Winnie becomes the star attraction at the zoo. When a man named A.A. Milne brings his young son to visit the zoo, the story of the bear and her friendship with a far away soldier inspires him to create one of the most beloved characters in the history of children's literature.
Director
John Harrison
Writers
Simon Vaughn, John Goldsmith, John Harrison
Cast
Michael Fassbender, Gil Bellows, David Suchet, Stephen Fry, Jonathon Young
Producers
Simon Vaughn, Kim Todd
Genres
Comedy, Family
Interest
History
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Subtitles
Babine
In the small village of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton, whenever something bad happens, the villagers blame Babine, the son of the village witch. Babine was born an outsider, and has spent his life being teased. When the local church burns down, the new priest becomes determined to find the culprit, and puts the blame on Babine, deciding he must be punished once and for all.
Babine is an offbeat comedy and a charming fairy tale filled with eccentric characters and has a strong message of acceptance that will resonate with audiences of all ages.
Director
Luc Picard
Luc Picard is a celebrated actor with over 50 film and television credits and two Jutra Awards to his name. He has directed Audition, Babine, Ésimésac, and a segment in the anthology film 9. Les rois mongols earned six Canadian Screen Award nominations. His latest film is Confessions and he recently starred in Arsenault & Fils and French Girl.
Writer
Fred Pellerin
Cast
Vincent-Guillaume Otis, Luc Picard, Alexis Martin, Isabel Richer, René Richard Cyr
Producer
Lorraine Richard
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interest
Bullying
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Le journal d’Aurélie Laflamme (The Journal of Aurélie Laflamme)
Based on the first novel of Québecois author India Desjardins, this quirky and endearing coming-of-age story about a girl lost in her own world is sure to delight.
Director
Christian Laurence
Montreal director Laurence has been working in film and TV for more than 15 years, focusing primarily on short films, including L’astronaute and Songs We Sing. Le journal d'Aurélie Laflamme, his first feature film, was nominated for three Jutra awards. He recently directed the TV mini-series La Derape, Manuel de la vie sauvage, and Haute démolition.
Writers
Christian Laurence, India Desjardins
Cast
Marianne Verville, Genevieve Chartrand, Aliocha Schneider
Producer
Claude Veillet
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Interests
Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films
Les Pee-Wee (The Pee-Wee: The Winter that Changed My Life)
In this uplifting story, 12-year-old Janeau (Pilon) and his father have moved to a new town after the tragic death of his mother. As they struggle to adjust, Janeau is befriended by Julie (Morel-Michaud), a goalie for the local pee-wee hockey team, The Lynx, who are preparing for a province-wide championship.
Julie immediately sniffs out Janeau’s hockey talent, and eventually convinces her coach to let Janeau join the team, much to the dismay of the team’s current star, Joey (Goulet), and his overbearing father.
This stirring hockey comedy will have audiences cheering for The Lynx as they race to settle their differences — both on and off the ice — before the championship.
Director
Éric Tessier
Tessier’s first film was the award-winning short Viens dehors! His feature films include Sur le seuil, Vendus, 5150 rue des Ormes, Junior Majeur, and Les Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie, which won the Best Feature Film award at TIFF Kids. He recently directed the films Tu te souviendras de moi and When Love Blooms, and episodes of Hôtel and Transplant. He is currently directing The Amityville Curse.
Writers
Martin Bouchard, Emmanuel Joly, Jean-Sébastien Poirier
Cast
Alice Morel-Michaud, Rémi Goulet, Antoine Olivier Pilon
Producer
Christian Larouche
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Interest
Sports
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Score: A Hockey Musical
He’s led a sheltered life, home-schooled by parents (Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan) whose idea of extra-curricular activities are trips to an art gallery or an ashram.
His only real friend is Eve (Allie MacDonald), the girl who’s lived next door nearly his entire life. Much to the dismay of his parents, Farley loves to play shinny with the local rink rats (Dave Bidini and Hawksley Workman, among others). When the coach of a local hockey team (Stephen McHattie) spots him, Farley is drawn into the seductive hockey arena – while trying to stay true to his non-violent principles and juggling an ever-changing relationship with Eve.
Director
Michael McGowan
McGowan made his film debut as a writer, director and producer with My Dog Vincent, and directed Saint Ralph, One Week, Score: A Hockey Musical and Still Mine, which was named by TIFF as one of Canada’s Top 10 films in 2012. He recently directed TV shows Reign and Between and wrote the film The Etruscan Smile. His most recent film, All My Puny Sorrows, premiered at TIFF 2021.
Writer
Michael McGowan
Cast
John McDermott, Noah Reid, Hawksley Workman
Producers
Michael McGowan, Avi Federgreen
Genres
Comedy, Family
Interests
Arts and Culture, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Babar: King of the Elephants
First released in 1931, The Babar series is a global phenomenon with millions of fans across multiple generations. Babar: King of the Elephants continues the series’ tradition of teaching important lessons in a fun and smart way.
Director
Raymond Jafelice
Writers
Peter Sauder, Raymond Jafelice
Cast
Philip Williams, Wayne Robson, Ellen-Ray Hennessy
Producers
Hasmi Ferguson, Merle-Anne Ridley
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Family
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Nelvana
- Own Voice
Angry Inuk
The seal hunt is not exactly a laughing matter, but humour and technical savvy go a long way to debunk certain claims. Wryly tackling both misinformation and aggressive appeals to emotion, Inuk filmmaker Arnaquq-Baril equips herself and her community with the powers of social media — and yes, #sealfies — to reframe a controversial topic as a cultural issue in this 2016 Audience Award–winning Hot Docs hit.
“Angry Inuk delivers important information about an issue we tend to think we know everything about, and delivers a powerful emotional punch.”
—Susan G. Cole, NOW Magazine
Director
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk)
Arnaquq-Baril is an award-winning Inuk filmmaker whose work has screened on CBC, APTN, and at festivals like Hot Docs, imagineNATIVE, TIFF and many others. Her credits include the award-winning doc Angry Inuk, Aviliaq, Inuit High Kick, Tunniit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos and The Embargo Project. She also produced the award winning film The Grizzlies, the 2022 film Slash/Back, and co-founded the Inuit production company Red Marrow Media. She is currently producing the documentary Twice Colonized.
Writer
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk)
Producers
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk), Bonnie Thompson
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Environment, ESL, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, Inuktitut
Language Versions
EN CC, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
Anne of Green Gables
So begins Anne of Green Gables, one of the most beloved stories in Canadian literature for readers of all ages. This mini-series adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s series of novels — one of the highest-rated broadcasts in Canadian television history — features Megan Follows in the title role, who has since gone on to become one of Canada’s most critically acclaimed actors.
This trophy-sweeping Genie Award-winner is a charming, family-friendly affair that is sure to delight.
Director
Kevin Sullivan
Writers
Joe Wiesenfeld, Kevin Sullivan
Cast
Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth, Jonathan Crombie
Producers
Ian McDougall, Kevin Sullivan, Trudy Grant
Genres
Drama, Family
Interests
Classics, Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Sullivan Entertainment inc