Genre: Action/Adventure
- Own Voice
The Great Salish Heist
Director
Darrell Dennis
Writers
Leslie D. Bland, Harold Joe, Darrell Dennis
Cast
Graham Greene, Darrell Dennis, Tricia Helfer
Producers
Leslie D. Bland, Harold Joe
Genre
Action/Adventure
Interest
Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Machotaildrop
Director
Corey Adams
Writers
Glen Bolland, Alex Craig, Corey Adams
Cast
Anthony Amedori
Producers
Alex Craig, Oliver Linsley, Jared Valentine
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Interest
Cult & Offbeat Cinema
Original Language
English
Enter the Drag Dragon
An amateur detective Drag Queen finds herself heading off with gangsters, zombies, and other bad guys.
Director
Lee Demarbre
Writer
Mark Pollesel
Cast
Jade London
Producer
Lee Demarbre
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Interest
LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
- 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
- Own Voice
Indigenous-made Short Films
Director
Various
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, French, Other Language
- Own Voice
Aboriginality
Directors
Dominique Keller, Tom Jackson (Cree)
Writer
Dominique Keller
Cast
Dallas Arcand (Kipohtakaw)
Producers
Dominique Keller, Bonnie Thompson
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
Grocery Store Action Movie
A hapless every-man is in the express checkout lane at the grocery store when he realizes with horror that he has forgotten the all-important crackers. With his dinner guests already on their way over, he must risk life and limb to achieve the impossible: locate the salty snacks before losing his place in line. A hilarious send-up of action movie clichés created by and starring three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning sketch duo Peter n' Chris.
Director
Matthew Campbell
Writers
Peter Carlone, Chris Wilson
Cast
Chris Wilson, Peter Carlone
Producers
David Kaye, Jameson Parker, Ryan Silva
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Original Language
English
Language Version
None
- Own Voice
Four Faces of the Moon
Director
Amanda Strong (Michif)
Writers
Amanda Strong (Michif), Bracken Hanuse Corlett (Wuikinuxv-Klahoose)
Cast
Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis)
Producer
Bracken Hanuse Corlett (Wuikinuxv-Klahoose)
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Documentary, Family
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
Other Language
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Oliver Bump’s Birthday
Director
Jordan Canning
Writer
Simon McNabb
Cast
Jason Spevack, Reiya Downs, Steve Cumyn
Producers
Mark Purdy, Jessica Cheung
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Canadian Film Centre
- Own Voice
Shoot Your Shot
A sci-fi/action comedy that follows Tover, a teenager on the frontlines battling a future alien invasion. However, it’s not the aliens that terrify Tover, it’s the idea of asking out his crush, fellow soldier Savoy!
Directors
Madison Thomas (Ojibwe/Saulteax), Meegwun Fairbrother (Ojibway)
Cast
Victoria Turko (Métis), Stephanie Sy, Skye Pelletier, Meegwun Fairbrother (Ojibway)
Producer
Stephen Ground
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
ARQ
Director
Tony Elliott
Writer
Tony Elliott
Cast
Rachael Taylor, Robbie Amell, Shaun Benson
Producers
Mason Novick, John Finemore, Kyle Franke
Genres
Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Netflix
Riot Girls
In this spirited, punky post-apocalyptic adventure film, all the adults are wiped out by a mysterious plague, leaving kids and teens to fend for themselves. In the town of Potter’s Bluff, there is a sharp divide between two groups: the have-not Eastsiders vs. the tyrannical Westside Titans.
When one of their own is captured by the Titans, it's up to female punk rockers and best friends Nat (Iseman) and Scratch (Kwiatkowski) to lead the East side teens on a dangerous, high-octane mission that forever alters the future of their community.
Riot Girls is a punchy, poppy tribute to girlhood that raises a studded middle finger against classism and conformist culture. Packed with punk rock anthems and comic-book undertones, this film is a love letter to teenaged misfits everywhere.
“Riot Girls confidently and entertainingly sets itself apart from the pack rather nicely thanks to a well rounded script, playful direction, and a whole lotta swagger.” - Andrew Parker, The Gate
Director
Jovanka Vuckovic
Writer
Katherine Collins
Cast
Madison Iseman, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Munro Chambers
Producer
Lauren Grant
Genres
Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
Gunless
Director
William Philips
Cast
Paul Gross, Dustin Milligan, Sienna Guillory
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Night Raiders
A compelling and propulsive dystopian thriller grounded in an allegory for the residential school system, Night Raiders is the story of Niska (Tailfeathers), a Cree mother in an impossible situation. As she travels across a war-torn Turtle Island (North America), she is caught in a desperate attempt to save her daughter from a state-run forced re-education camp. With the world against her, Niska joins forces with a group of underground resistance fighters seeking to free their children and save their future.
Anchored by an incredible lead performance from Tailfeathers along with a stellar supporting cast, this powerful and heartfelt debut feature from Danis Goulet premiered at TIFF in 2021 and was nominated for eleven Canadian Screen Awards, winning six, including Best Original Screenplay.
“Night Raiders should become the most talked-about Canadian film of the year. And for good reason.” – Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail
Director
Danis Goulet (Cree/Métis)
Danis Goulet is an award-winning Cree/Métis filmmaker from La Ronge, SK, now based in Toronto. Her films have screened at festivals worldwide including Sundance, Berlinale, TIFF, and MoMA. She is a former programmer and current board member for TIFF, and was the former Director of the imagineNATIVE Film+Media Arts Festival. Her latest projects include the TV series Reservation Dogs, and the upcoming feature film Ivy.
Writer
Danis Goulet (Cree/Métis)
Cast
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot/Sámi), Brooklyn Letexier-Hart (Cree/Métis), Alex Tarrant (Māori-Niuean-Samoan), Shaun Sipos, Amanda Plummer
Producers
Taika Waititi (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), Paul Barkin, Tara Woodbury, Ainsley Gardiner (Ngāti Awa/Te Whānau-a-Apanui/Ngāti Pikiao/Whakatōhea), Georgina Allison Conder
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles, Other CC
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
- Own Voice
Blood Quantum
The term “blood quantum” refers to a colonial system enforced on Indigenous peoples in North America which determines their individual status and rights based on their “percentage” of Indigenous ancestry. It is a tool of control, assimilation and erasure of Indigenous peoples.
In this brilliantly provocative horror film set in an isolated Mi’kmaq community, the Indigenous population remains immune to a raging zombie virus infecting the surrounding white population.
Blood soaked, fast paced and darkly comic, Blood Quantum is a wild ride using the zombie genre as a vehicle to explore white supremacy, colonialism, genocide and Indigenous self-determination.
Director
Jeff Barnaby (Mi’qmaw)
Writer
Jeff Barnaby (Mi’qmaw)
Cast
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot/Sámi), Michael Greyeyes (Plains Cree), Forrest Goodluck (Diné/Mandan/Hidatsa/Tsimshian)
Producers
John Christou, Robert Vroom
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama, Horror
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
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
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, Action/Adventure, Animation, Animation, Comedy, Comedy, Family, Family
Interests
Bullying, Bullying, Sports, Sports
Original Languages
English, English, French, French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Hobo with a Shotgun
This cult favourite started as a fake movie trailer in Quentin Tarantino & Robert Rodriguez’s Grindhouse. It includes several Canadiana Easter eggs and a memorable performance from Rutger Hauer, who at one point delivers a dramatic monologue to an audience of newborn babies.
A gleeful, gory sendup of 70s exploitation films, Hobo with a Shotgun delivers plenty of shocks, mayhem and vigilante justice, “one shell at a time.”
Director
Jason Eisener
Writer
John Davies
Cast
Molly Dunsworth, Gregory Smith, Rutger Hauer
Producers
Niv Fichman, Rob Cotterill, Paul Gross
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Interest
Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Grey Fox
After going in and out of prison for over 30 years after a career of stagecoach robbing, Bill Miner is released in 1901 to a completely new reality. Lost about what to do next, Miner finds his inspiration for his next great adventure from the film The Great Train Robbery. His plan to commit the first ever train robbery leads to a thrilling heist and an intriguing tale full of twists and turns.
Based on the true story of William Miner (nicknamed the Gentleman Bandit), The Grey Fox won 4 Genie Awards including Best Picture and has been included on TIFF’s top 10 list of the Best Canadian Films of All Time.
Director
Phillip Borsos
Borsos was a four-time Canadian Film Award, Genie Award winner, and an Oscar nominee. He released his debut feature, The Grey Fox, to much acclaim in 1982, at age 27. He also directed The Mean Season, One Magic Christmas, Bethune: The Making of a Hero and Far From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog, before his tragic death from leukemia at age 41.
Writer
Jonathon M.B. Hunter
Cast
Richard Farnsworth, Jackie Burroughs, Ken Pogue
Producers
David Brady, Peter O'Brian
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama
Interests
Biography, Classics, History
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Films We Like
Les affamés (Ravenous)
In the bleak aftermath of an outbreak of zombies in rural Quebec, Bonin (Marc-André Grondin) struggles to survive along with the rapidly dwindling remaining population. When he encounters a group hiding in a house that is in the path of an invading horde of the undead, he must decide whether or not to save them, as doing so would put him and his companions in danger.
Les affamés is a brilliant and fresh take on the zombie genre, maintaining a tense atmosphere with exceptional moments of horror. It won the Best Canadian Feature prize at TIFF in 2017 and swept the Jutra Awards (now the Prix Iris) with ten wins, including Best Film and Best Direction.
“Robin Aubert's idiosyncratic and nuanced drama breathes fresh life into the zombie apocalypse subgenre.” - John Leydon, VarietyDirector
Robin Aubert
Saints-Martyrs-des-Damnés premiered at TIFF 2005. Aubert also directed the feature films À quelle heure le train pour nulle part, À l’origine d’un cri, and Tuktuq, and starred in De père en flic, the critical hit Guibord s’en va-t-en guerre, Jeune Juliette, and Mon cirque à moi. His latest film, Les Affamés won Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2017 and ten Prix Iris. He is currently completing his next film, Tu ne sauras jamais.
Writer
Robin Aubert
Cast
Charlotte St-Martin, Marc-André Grondin, Monia Chokri, Micheline Lanctôt
Producers
C.S. Roy, Stéphanie Morissette
Genres
Action/Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributors
Les Films Seville, Maison 4:3