• Own Voice

Paying for It

Director Sook-Yin Lee
Year 2024
Run Time 85min
Genre Comedy

Director

Sook-Yin Lee

Writers

Sook-Yin Lee, Joanne Sarazen

Cast

Andrea Werhun, Dan Beirne, Emily Lê

Producers

Matt Code, Sonya Di Rienzo, Aeschylus Poulos

Genre

Comedy

Interest

Female Filmmaker

Original Language

English

Language Versions

EN CC, FR Subtitles

Canadian Distributor

Loco Films

Can I Get a Witness?

Director Ann Marie Fleming
Year 2024
Run Time 110min
Genre Sci-Fi/Fantasy
In a not so distant future, everyone is forced to end their life at 50, in order to save the planet. This weighs especially heavily on young artist Kiah (Kiera Jang), as her mother (Sandra Oh) prepares for this end of life ritual.

Director

Ann Marie Fleming

Fleming is a visual artist, filmmaker and writer who has animated over 20 films, including the shorts Stories Sarah Tells, Big Trees, A Short Film About Tegan & Sara, Question Period, and Old Dog. Her features include New Shoes, The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, The French Guy, and Can I Get a Witness, which premiered at TIFF 2024. Fleming has won nearly 20 awards and nominations for her films, including 15 for Window Horses

Writer

Ann Marie Fleming

Cast

Joel Oulette (Cree/Métis), Sandra Oh, Keira Jang

Producer

Ann Marie Fleming

Genre

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Interests

Arts and Culture, Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Environment, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Versions

EN CC, FR CC, FR Dub

Canadian Distributor

Mongrel Media

SKEET

Director Nik Sexton
Year 2024
Run Time 104min
Genre Drama

Fresh out of prison, Billy Skinner returns to his transformed low-income neighbourhood, now populated by Syrian refugees. Struggling to overcome his dark past, Billy forges an unexpected bond with Mo, a compassionate Syrian immigrant determined to build a better life for his family.

Director

Nik Sexton

Writer

Nik Sexton

Cast

Sean Dalton, Lawrence Barry, Jay Abdo

Producer

Mary Sexton

Genre

Drama

Interest

Newcomer Stories

Original Languages

English, Other Language

Canadian Distributor

Rink Rat Productions Inc

Doors of War

Directors Taras Lesiuk, Annick Sheedy McLellan
Year 2025
Run Time 66min
Genre Documentary

Directors

Taras Lesiuk, Annick Sheedy McLellan

Writers

Annick Sheedy McLellan, Taras Lesiuk

Producers

Annick Sheedy McLellan, Taras Lesiuk

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Social Justice & Politics

Original Languages

English, Other Language

Language Version

Other Subtitles

Billy Bishop Goes to War

Director Barbara Willis Sweete
Year 2010
Run Time 86min
Genre Comedy, Drama

This film was inspired by the life of the legendary WWI flying ace from Owen Sound. Canadian acting legend Eric Peterson and award-winning writer/composer John Gray reprise their iconic two-man stage play that has captivated audiences for over three decades. Nearing the end of his life, an aged Bishop (Peterson) recounts the triumphs and horrors of World War One, “the war to end all wars”. Through raucous stories, haunting memories, and vibrant song, Bishop traces his journey from Royal Military College troublemaker to the top flying ace of the British Empire.

A story of the human cost of war on a scale the world had never seen before, this is an intimate and powerful portrait of a man who continues to capture the imagination.

Director

Barbara Willis Sweete

Cast

John Gray, Eric Peterson

Producer

Sandra Cunningham

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Interests

Biography, Female Filmmaker, History

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

Union Pictures

Dounia et la princesse d’Alep (Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo)

Directors André Kadi, Marya Zarif
Year 2022
Run Time 72min
Genre Animation, Family
In this stunning animated adventure, six-year-old Dounia is forced to leave her life in Syria because of the war, and relies on the magical appearance of the mythical Princess of Aleppo to help her maintain her courage throughout a difficult journey to Canada.

Directors

André Kadi, Marya Zarif

Writer

Marya Zarif

Cast

Elza Mardirossian, Rahaf Ataya

Producer

Judith Beauregard

Genres

Animation, Family

Interests

Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

French

Language Versions

EN Dub, EN Subtitles, FR CC

Canadian Distributor

Maison 4:3

La petite et le vieux (Blue Sky Jo)

Director Patrice Sauvé
Year 2024
Run Time 105min
Genre Comedy, Drama
In 1980s Quebec, 10-year-old Helene (Bharucha) dreams of living up to the standard of the cartoon hero "Josephine The Little Musketeer", so much so that she changes her name to Jo to be more like her. Filled with passion and imagination, she sets out to make life better for those around her. When she befriends her curmudgeonly neighbor (Roy), she discovers that his gruff demeanour conceals a heart of gold, and the two form an unlikely bond that enriches both of their lives.

Based on the award-winning novel of the same name, La petite et le vieux is a touching coming-of-age story that wears its heart on its sleeve.

"A bright and rich film, filled with colourful and endearing characters" - Maxime Demers, Le Journal de Montreal

Director

Patrice Sauvé

Writers

Sébastien Girard, Marie-Renée Lavoie

Cast

Juliette Bharucha, Gabrielle B. Thuot, Gildor Roy

Producers

Sonia Despars, Marc Biron

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Interests

Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation

Original Language

French

Language Versions

EN Subtitles, FR CC

Canadian Distributor

TVA Films

500 Days in the Wild

Director Dianne Whelan
Year 2023
Run Time 124min
Genre Documentary

Director

Dianne Whelan

Writers

Dianne Whelan, Tanya Maryniak

Cast

Dianne Whelan

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Environment, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Young Werther

Director José Lourenço
Year 2024
Run Time 101min
Genre Comedy, Romance

While on a simple errand to Toronto, a carefree and charming young writer named Werther (Douglas Booth) meets Charlotte (Alison Pill), who he believes love of his life. There's only one thing standing in the way - her engagement to another man. Despite the urgings of his hypochondriac best friend, Werther turns his world upside down in a desperate, misguided and hilarious quest to win her heart.

Director

José Lourenço

Writers

Johann Goethe, José Lourenço

Cast

Alison Pill, Patrick J. Adams, Iris Apatow

Producer

Douglas Booth

Genres

Comedy, Romance

Interest

Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Versions

EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles

Canadian Distributor

Wildling Pictures

Katak: The Brave Beluga

Directors Nicola Lemay, Christine Dallaire-Dupont
Year 2023
Run Time 82min
Genre Animation
Katak, a young Beluga whale, decides to embark on a treacherous journey to the Arctic, hoping to reunite his grandparents. While his parents discourage this journey because he’s so much smaller than his peers, Katak proves that he’s brave enough to overcome anything.

Directors

Nicola Lemay, Christine Dallaire-Dupont

Writer

Andrée Lambert

Producer

Nancy Florence Savard

Genre

Animation

Interests

Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, French

Canadian Distributor

Maison 4:3

We The North: From Prehistoric to Historic

Director Sami Khan
Year 2025
Run Time 76min
Genre Documentary
This documentary offers an in-depth look at how the fledgling Toronto Raptors franchise transformed into a cultural phenomenon, uniting communities and reshaping Canada's identity. The Raptors' story is the ultimate underdog tale, with an unprecedented look into the team's global impact and its lasting influence across Canada and beyond.
 

Director

Sami Khan

Producers

Stephanie Azam, Vinay Virmani

Genre

Documentary

Interests

BIPOC Stories, History, Sports

Original Language

English

Language Versions

EN CC, FR CC, FR Dub

The Players

Director Sarah Galea-Davis
Year 2024
Run Time 94min
Genre Drama
It’s the summer of 1994 and Emily’s dream of becoming an actor is about to come true, when she joins an avant-garde theatre production. Emily is immediately enchanted by the bohemian lives of her castmates, but the company, under the direction of the enigmatic Reinhardt, operates with its own strict unwritten rules. As the lines between artistic and personal relationships blur, Emily becomes trapped in the complex power dynamics within the group.

 

Director

Sarah Galea-Davis

Writer

Sarah Galea-Davis

Cast

Eric Johnson, Jess Salgueiro, Stefani Kimber

Producer

Sonya Di Rienzo

Genre

Drama

Interests

Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

Hawkeye Pictures

Entre la mer et l’eau douce (Between Sweet and Salt Water)

Director Michel Brault
Year 1967
Run Time 85min
Genre Drama, Romance
Claude (Gauthier), an ambitious young singer, leaves his small town for the promise of a career in the big city. When he meets a charming young waitress named Geneviève (Bujold), he is instantly smitten. But when he gets a life-changing opportunity, he is  forced to choose between this blossoming romance and his lifelong dream.

Director

Michel Brault

Writers

Marcel Dubé, Michel Brault, Denys Arcand

Cast

Geneviève Bujold, Claude Gauthier

Producer

Pierre Patry

Genres

Drama, Romance

Interest

Arts and Culture

Original Language

French

Language Version

EN Subtitles

Canadian Distributor

Cooperative

  • Own Voice

Red Fever

Directors Catherine Bainbridge, Neil Diamond (Cree)
Year 2024
Run Time 104min
Genre Documentary
Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond cheekily explores society’s fascination with Indigenous culture, from sports, to fashion, to politics, and more. A brilliant documentary that not only uncovers the history of appropriation, but highlights cases that are pervasive to this day, as well as ongoing reclamation efforts.
 

Directors

Neil Diamond (Cree)

Cree filmmaker Diamond is known for several award winning documentaries that focus on Indigenous life and issues. His debut film, Cree Spoken Here, garnered the Telefilm/APTN award for Best Aboriginal Documentary. His most recent film was Inuit Cree Reconciliation with filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk and he is currently directing the documentary Red Fever.

Writers

Neil Diamond (Cree), Catherine Bainbridge

Producers

Rebecca Lessard, Lisa M. Roth

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics

Original Language

English

Language Version

EN CC

Canadian Distributor

Les Films du 3 Mars

Mlle Bottine (Miss Boots)

Director Yan Lanouette Turgeon
Year 2024
Run Time 111min
Genre Comedy, Family

An opera composer (Antoine Bertrand) suffering from writer’s block is unexpectedly entrusted with caring for his orphaned niece who he’s never met. While her rebellious and eccentric nature proves to be a challenge, she may be exactly the inspiration that he needs.
 

Director

Yan Lanouette Turgeon

Writer

Dominic James

Cast

Marguerite Laurence, Antoine Bertrand, Marilyn Castonguay

Producers

Brigitte Léveillé, Dominic James, Antonella Cozzolino Giorlando

Genres

Comedy, Family

Interests

Arts and Culture, Family Relationships, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

French

Language Versions

EN Subtitles, FR CC

Canadian Distributor

Immina Films

  • Own Voice

Seeds

Director Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk)
Year 2024
Run Time 82min
Genre Horror, Thriller

In this tense thriller, a Mohawk internet personality receives her first sponsorship, promoting the seed and fertilizer company Nature's Oath. But when she returns to her reserve, she discovers a dark side to the company that threatens both her and her people.

 

Director

Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk)

Writer

Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk)

Cast

Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk), Meegwun Fairbrother (Ojibway), Cherish Violet Blood (Kainai), Graham Greene (Oneida)

Producers

Leonard Farlinger, Jennifer Jonas

Genres

Horror, Thriller

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Environment, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

levelFILM

It Feeds

Director Chad Archibald
Year 2025
Run Time 101min
Genre Horror
Cynthia (Ashley Greene), a clairvoyant who can enter into people’s minds, meets her worst nightmare when a young girl bursts through her door trying to escape from a powerful spirit feeding on her. Cynthia and her daughter Jordan (Ellie O’Brien) are drawn into a fight against this evil force, despite protests from the girl’s father (Shawn Ashmore), putting their lives on the line in the process.
 

Director

Chad Archibald

Writer

Chad Archibald

Cast

Ellie O'Brien, Ashley Greene, Shawn Ashmore, Mark Taylor

Producers

Navid McIlhargey, Morris Chapdelaine, Evan Ottoni, Chad Archibald, Cody Calahan

Genre

Horror

Interest

Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Version

EN CC

Canadian Distributor

Black Fawn Distribution

  • Own Voice

Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story

Directors Michael Mabbott, Lucah Rosenberg-Lee
Year 2024
Run Time 98min
Genre Documentary
Jackie Shane, a jazz singer who rose to prominence in the 1960s as a Black transgender musician, had disappeared almost entirely from the public eye. Decades later, her work gets rediscovered and reassessed, giving her one last chance to be appreciated properly.

A moving portrait that shines a light on the career of a trailblazer who was ahead of her time, this incredible story won the Special Jury Prize for Best Canadian Feature at Hot Docs 2024.

“A compelling investigation of an elusive life, as well as a talent so striking you’ll be amazed it remained forgotten for so long.” – Dennis Harvey, Variety 
 

Directors

Michael Mabbott

Writer/director Mabbott made his debut with 2005’s Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico, winning Best Canadian First Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. He followed with Citizen Duane and television shows like Baxter and The Yard. His short documentary Music Lessons premiered at Hot Docs 2015. He also wrote, produced, and co-directed Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, which was named to the TIFF 2024 Top Ten List.

Lucah Rosenberg-Lee

Lucah Rosenberg-Lee is an independent filmmaker, speaker and entrepreneur. He is passionate about telling the stories of marginalized voices through film and he specializes in documentary and LGBTQ+ content. He produced For Nonna Anna, which won the Best Narrative Short Award at the Atlanta Film Festival, and he co-directed the 2024 films Passing and Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, which won the DGC Special Jury Prize at Hot Docs 2024.

Writers

Alison Duke, Lucah Rosenberg-Lee, Michael Mabbott

Cast

Rob Bowman, James Baley, Bobby Dean Blackburn

Producers

Janet Bradey, Justine Pimlott, Michael Mabbott

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Discrimination, History, LGBTQ2S+, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Version

FR Subtitles

Canadian Distributor

National Film Board (NFB)

Die Alone

Director Lowell Dean
Year 2024
Run Time 91min
Genre Horror, Romance, Thriller
While fleeing to a safe refuge during a zombie apocalypse, Ethan (Smith) suffers an accident and is left suffering with amnesia and mysteriously separated from his girlfriend. When he meets Mae (Moss), a weary survivalist, she offers to help him on his quest to find her, even as their situation becomes increasingly perilous. 

A brilliant blend of romance and horror, Die Alone is a refreshing take on the zombie genre with a heartfelt message at its core. 

“This isn’t just a zombie film; it’s a haunting exploration of love, loss, and what it means to hold on when everything else falls apart.” – Thom Ernst, Original Cin
 

Director

Lowell Dean

Dean began his career as a director with short films such as Juice Pigs, which he co-wrote, and episodes of Canadian TV series such as Dust Up, and Blood, Lies and Alibis. He has gone on to direct six feature films which include comedy-horror Wolfcop, its well-deserved sequel Another Wolfcop, and the action-packed Supergrid. In 2024, he released two films, Dark Match and Die Alone, which premiered at Sitges Film Festival and took home the Midnight X-treme audience choice award. 

Writer

Lowell Dean

Cast

Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, Frank Grillo

Producers

Kevin DeWalt, Danielle Masters, Benjamin DeWalt

Genres

Horror, Romance, Thriller

Interest

Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Version

EN CC

Canadian Distributor

Quiver Distribution

Universal Language (آواز بوقلمون)

Director Matthew Rankin
Year 2024
Run Time 89min
Genre Comedy, Drama
Set in an alternate universe where Canada’s official languages are French and Persian, this charming and surreal fable follows a triptych of seemingly unrelated stories of people navigating through a bleak Winnipeg winter. Behind layers of eclectic bizarreness lives a poignant message about the depth and importance of human connection and understanding. It’s also just genuinely hilarious.

A pitch-perfect follow up to his acclaimed debut feature The Twentieth Century, this similarly absurdist comedy won the Director’s Fortnight Audience Award at Cannes, and was Canada’s 2024 selection for Academy Award consideration.
 

Director

Matthew Rankin

Matthew Rankin is an experimental film director of 30 short films, which have been screened at festivals around the world, including Berlinale, Sundance, Cannes, and many others. His feature debut, the irreverent and surreal comedy, The Twentieth Century, received critical acclaim and three Canadian Screen Awards. His second feature, Universal Language, has won 16 awards, including the FIPRESCI prize in Venice, TIFF’s Best Canadian Discovery Award and the Cannes Directors' Fortnight Audience Award. 

Writers

Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati

Cast

Saba Vahedyousefi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin, Rojina Esmaeili

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Interest

Cult & Offbeat Cinema

Original Language

Other Language

Language Version

EN Subtitles

Canadian Distributor

Maison 4:3