Genre: Action/Adventure
- 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
Afflicted
Afflicted is a rare Canadian entry in the found-footage thriller genre that was called “ambitious in scope and practically flawless in execution,” by the Toronto Star’s Bruce DeMara.
Directors
Clif Prowse, Derek Lee
Writers
Clif Prowse, Derek Lee
Cast
Clif Prowse, Derek Lee, Michael Gill, Baya Rehaz
Producers
Chris Ferguson, Zach Lipovsky
Genres
Action/Adventure, Horror
Interest
Cult & Offbeat Cinema
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Criterion
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 Distributor
Les Films Seville
The Peanut Butter Solution
Hands down the most surreal children’s movie in Canadian history, this cult classic from the Tales For All series has to be seen to be believed.
Director
Michael Rubbo
Writers
Vojtech Jasný, Andrée Pelletier, Louise Pelletier, Michael Rubbo
Cast
Matthew Mackay, Siluck Saysanasy, Alison Darcy
Producers
Nicole Robert, Rock Demers
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Family, Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Cineplex Odeon Films/Criterion
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
United Artists Classics
La guerre des tuques (The Dog Who Stopped the War)
This poignant and touching children's classic still resonates today as an affecting allegory about peace, as well as a celebration of snowy Canadian winters!
Director
André Melançon
Writers
Roger Cantin, Danyèle Patenaude, André Melançon
Cast
Cédric Jourde, Marie-Pierre A. D'Amour, Julien Elie
Producers
Rock Demers, Nicole Robert
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family
Interests
Arts and Culture, Classics
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Imavision Distribution
- 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
The Sun at Midnight
After her mother dies, 16-year-old "urban princess" Lia (Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs – who won an award at the Whistler Film Festival for her performance) is sent to spend the summer with her Gwich’in grandmother in a small community in the far north. Desperate to get back to city life, she steals a boat and heads south.
As might be expected, she quickly gets lost, and is soon discovered by Alfred (Howard), a Gwich’in hunter who reluctantly helps her navigate the unfamiliar wilderness. Set in the stunning landscape of the Arctic Circle, this charming coming of age drama tells the story of the unlikely friendship that arises between them.
"A truly inspirational masterpiece that I hope everyone has a chance to see." – Blake Priddle, CKLB Radio
Director
Kirsten Carthew
Writer
Kirsten Carthew
Cast
Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), Duane Howard (Nuu-chah-nulth), Sarah Jerome, Mark Anderako, William Greenland
Producers
Kirsten Carthew, Amos Scott (Dene)
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama
Interest
Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Jill and Jackfish Productions
Bon Cop Bad Cop 2
Eight years after they met in Bon Cop Bad Cop (above), the comically mismatched duo of straightlaced Ontario cop Martin Ward (Feore) and scruffy Quebec cop David Bouchard (Huard) reunite to investigate yet another major crime in this long-awaited sequel. When their separate investigations unexpectedly cross paths, the pair must join forces to investigate a crime ring south of the border, giving the film plenty of hilarious opportunities to poke fun at the cultural differences between the two Canucks and their American counterparts.
Director
Alain Desrochers
Desrochers began his filmmaking career with over 100 music videos and commercials, winning numerous awards. His first feature, La Bouteille, earned him a Genie nomination for Best Direction. His credits include Nitro, Cabotins and Gerry. Most recently, he directed the miniseries Bad Blood and the feature Security starring Sir Ben Kingsley.
Writer
Patrick Huard
Cast
Colm Feore, Patrick Huard, Erik Knudsen, Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse
Producers
Pierre Even, Patrick Huard, François Flamand
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Seville
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
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
Hyena Road
Under the command of Captain Pete Mitchell (Gross), ace sniper Ryan Sanders (Sutherland) has caught wind of a dangerous insurgency. Stopping it will take the cooperation of Afghan locals and the dogged efforts of Canadian troops. Showing how forces on either side can work together to prevent senseless tragedy, Hyena Road goes down a dusty, dirty, thunderous path.
Hyena Road won three Canadian Screen Awards.
“The goal of the movie is truth-telling rather than flag-waving, but it also succeeds as impactful storytelling.”
— Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Director
Paul Gross
Gross starred in the hit TV series Due South and Slings & Arrows. He directed, wrote and starred in Men With Brooms, which won a Canadian Comedy Award, as well as Hyena Road and Passchendaele, which won a Genie for best film. Gross also starred in the mini-series Alias Grace and Caught, the series Tales of the City and Y: The Last Man, and the films Falling and The Middle Man.
Writer
Paul Gross
Cast
Allan Hawco, Rossif Sutherland, Paul Gross, Christine Horne
Producers
Paul Gross, Niv Fichman
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Interests
Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
- 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
NFB
Bon Cop Bad Cop
Ward (Feore) and Boucher (Huard) couldn’t be more different: one is an English-speaker from Toronto, the other is a French-speaker from Montreal; one never deviates from established procedure, the other is a rebel who refuses to play by the rules. The detectives soon learn that if they are to solve this lurid crime, which is linked to the world of hockey, they need to stop bickering and work together.
With uproarious performances from both leads, Bon Cop, Bad Cop is a genuinely clever take on the buddy-cop genre that will keep you captivated throughout.
Director
Érik Canuel
Canuel made music videos and TV commercials before turning to film. His features include Nez rouge and Le dernier tunnel, Barrymore, starring Christopher Plummer, and the recent Undercover Grandpa. Bon Cop Bad Cop won a Genie for Best Motion Picture and the Golden Reel Award. Next, Canuel will direct the feature film The Burning Man.
Writers
Leila Basen, Alex Epstein, Patrick Huard, Kevin Tierney
Cast
Colm Feore, Patrick Huard
Producer
Kevin Tierney
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Defendor
Outfitted in a homemade costume, Defendor may not have special powers, but he is nonetheless dedicated to protecting the streets and fighting crime. He battles a corrupt cop (Koteas), befriends the tough and streetwise Kat (Dennings) and schemes to bring down a local mob boss, all while a court-appointed psychiatrist (Oh) tries to get to the bottom of his conviction that he is, in fact, a superhero.
Turning the superhero genre on its head, Defendor is a bittersweet and emotionally affecting take on our comic book–obsessed culture.
Director
Peter Stebbings
Stebbings’ directorial debut was Defendor, and his second film, Empire of Dirt, was nominated for five CSAs. As an actor, his numerous credits include Citizen Duane, The Borgias, Bates Motel, Counting for Thunder and his newest film Percy Vs Goliath. He recently directed The Disappearance, which garnered four CSAs, and episodes of Frankie Drake Mysteries, The Sounds, and Killjoys. He is currently writing and directing the feature Running with Monsters.
Writer
Peter Stebbings
Cast
Woody Harrelson, Kat Dennings, Sandra Oh, Elias Koteas
Producer
Nicholas Tabarrok
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Cult & Offbeat Cinema
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
eOne/Criterion
Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster
Eddie gets his start by recruiting a gang of small-time crooks and slowly turns them into a crack team of professional thieves. He launches a series of spectacular bank robberies, gaining notoriety and quickly becoming both a beloved national celebrity and public enemy number one. Part action-packed crime caper, part romance, this vibrant film brings an incredible true story to life.
Director
Nathan Morlando
Morlando’s first film, Edwin Boyd: Citizen Gangster, won Best Canadian First Feature at TIFF. He also directed Mean Dreams, which debuted in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. He recently produced Giant Little Ones and directed episodes of the show Cardinal.
Writer
Nathan Morlando
Cast
Scott Speedman, Kelly Reilly, Kevin Durand, Brian Cox, Charlotte Sullivan
Producer
Allison Black
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Interests
Biography, History
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
The Blue Butterfly
Director
Léa Pool
Pool has earned three Genie Award nominations for Best Direction. Her films include Emporte Moi, Mouvements du désir, Lost and Delirious, La dernière fugue and the documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. Her recent films include the doc Double Sentence and the features La passion d'Augustine and Et au pire, on se mariera.
Writer
Pete McCormack
Cast
William Hurt, Pascale Bussières, Marc Donato, Raoul Max Trujillo, Marianella Jimenez
Producers
Claude Bonin, Francine Atlaire, Arnie Gelbart, Michael Haggiag
Genres
Action/Adventure, Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Les triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville)
Features an original jazz musical score by Benoît Charest.
Director
Sylvain Chomet
Writer
Sylvain Chomet
Cast
Michèle Caucheteux, Jean-Claude Donda, Michel Robin, Béatrice Bonifassi, Lina Boudreau
Producers
Viviane Vanfleteren, Didier Brunner, Paul Cadieux
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Entract Films
De père en flic (Fathers and Guns)
The pair infiltrates an outdoor camp for fathers and sons to snag Charles Bérubé (Girard), the biker gang's lawyer. As Jacques and Marc try to locate their missing colleague, they find the camp's bonding activities are having an emotional and hilarious impact on their own relationship.
De père en flic is the highest-grossing French-language film in Canadian history.
"A can't-miss buddy comedy about a pair of dysfunctional father-son cops who are forced to go undercover at a touchy-feely bonding retreat...a genuinely amusing hybrid." — Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Director
Émile Gaudreault
Gaudreault co-wrote Louis 19, le roi des ondes, which Ron Howard adapted into EDtv. Gaudreault both co-wrote and directed De pere en flic (the highest-grossing French-language film in Canadian history), Le vrai du faux, Le sens de l'humour and Mambo Italiano, which earned six Canadian Comedy Award nominations. He also wrote and directed De père en flic 2, and most recently, the comedy Menteur. He also co-wrote the upcoming Lignes de fuite, and is producing the English-language remake of De père en flic, Fathers and Guns.
Writers
Émile Gaudreault, Ian Lauzon
Cast
Michel Côté, Louis-José Houde, Rémy Girard, Patrick Drolet, Caroline Dhavernas
Producers
Denise Robert, Daniel Louise
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Interest
Family Relationships
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne