Genre: Comedy
Incandescence
Directors
Velcrow Ripper, Nova Ami
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Sweet Summer Pow Wow
Director
Darrell Dennis (Secwepemc)
Writers
Darrell Dennis (Secwepemc), Katya Gardner
Cast
Joshua Odjick (Algonquin/Anishinaabe), Tatyana Rose Baptiste (Syilx Okanagan), Graham Greene (Oneida)
Producers
Leslie D. Bland, Harold Joe
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Orca Cove Media
- Own Voice
Paying for It
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
Billy Bishop Goes to War
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
La petite et le vieux (Blue Sky Jo)
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
Young Werther
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
Fireheart
Directors
Laurent Zeitoun, Theodore Ty
Writers
Jennica Harper, Laurent Zeitoun, Daphne Ballon
Cast
Alice Pol, Vincent Cassel
Producers
André Rouleau, Valérie d'Auteuil, Laurent Zeitoun, Yann Zenou
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Interests
Family Relationships, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Mlle Bottine (Miss Boots)
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, Antonello Cozzolino
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
Universal Language (آواز بوقلمون)
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
Vous n’êtes pas seuls (You Are Not Alone)
Léo, a lonely young pizza delivery man finds little purpose in his life, but that all changes when he falls head over heels for local musician Rita. As their romance begins to blossom, the couple is blissfully unaware of the threat of an alien who has targeted Léo for a mysterious and dangerous purpose.
A heartfelt drama with a sci-fi twist, You Are Not Alone takes you on a mysterious and beautiful journey that is completely captivating.
“Vous n’êtes pas seuls prouve, si nous en doutions encore, que notre cinéma est capable de continuer d’innover et de se renouveler.” – Isabelle Hontebeyrie, Le journal de Montréal
Directors
Philippe Lupien
Lupien is a director whose short film credits include L'Halloween de Monsieur Simard and Le diable en personne. Together with his partner Marie-Hélène Viens, he has co-directed the short films Bernard Le Grand, Amen and Nous sommes Le Freak Show, and the feature film Vous n'êtes pas seul, which won the Best Canadian Discovery Award at TIFF 2024.
Marie-Hélène Viens
Viens is a director and screenwriter who has worked in collaboration with Philippe Lupien for many years. Their short films Bernard Le Grand, Amen and Nous sommes Le Freak Show played at numerous festivals and won over 15 awards. Vous n'êtes pas seul was the duo’s first feature film, and won the Best Canadian Discovery Award at TIFF 2024.
Writers
Marie-Hélène Viens, Philippe Lupien
Cast
Marianne Fortier, Pier-Luc Funk, Sandrine Bisson
Producer
Fanny-Laure Malo
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
Who’s Yer Father?
Director
Jeremy Larter
Writer
Jeremy Larter
Cast
Susan Kent, Chris Locke, Jess Salgueiro
Producers
Jenna MacMillan, Jeremy Larter, Jason Arsenault
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
Le temps d’un été (One Summer)
Featuring breathtaking cinematography and powerful performances, this latest feature from acclaimed director Louise Archambeault demonstrates the power of love and care, and the importance of supporting those who have fallen on hard times.
“Archambault delivers a delicately balanced, deeply moving story with One Summer.” – Pat Mullen, That Shelf
Director
Louise Archambault
Archambault’s first short film, Atomic Saké, won the Jutra Award for best short. Her first feature, Familia, won her the Jutra for best debut feature, and her follow-up Gabrielle was nominated for six CSAs. Archambault also directed the TV series Catastrophe and wrote and directed Il pleuvait des oiseaux, which premiered at TIFF. She has also directed the films Merci pour tout, Le temps d’un été, and Irena’s Vow, which won the Audience Award at VIFF.
Writer
Marie Vien
Cast
Patrice Robitaille, Sylvio Archambault, Élise Guilbault, Guy Nadon
Producers
Brigitte Léveillé, Antonello Cozzolino
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Immina Films
Machotaildrop
Directors
Corey Adams
Corey Adams is a director, producer, and writer known for his work on the films Machotaildrop and The Edge of Sleep.
Alex Craig
Alex Craig is an award-winning Scottish filmmaker based in Vancouver, B.C. Accolades include a Canadian Screen Award for the Vice documentary series Abandoned, an Emmy nod for Hulu's Eaters Guide to the World, and his gonzo feature satire Machotaildrop premiered at the TIFF in 2009, becoming an instant cult classic.
Writers
Glen Bolland, Alex Craig, Corey Adams
Cast
Anthony Amedori, James Faulkner, Rick McCrank
Producers
Alex Craig, Oliver Linsley, Jared Valentine
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Interest
Cult & Offbeat Cinema
Original Language
English
Autumn and the Black Jaguar
A young girl who befriended the last remaining black jaguar in the world goes on an incredible journey to fight the poachers who have depleted the jaguar population, and to prevent the extinction of the species.
Director
Gilles de Maistre
Writer
Prune de Maistre
Cast
Emily Bett Rickards, Lumi Pollack, Wayne Charles Baker, Paul Greene
Producers
Jonathan Vanger, Sylvain Proulx, Gilles de Maistre, Catherine Camborde, Marco Colombo
Genres
Comedy, Family
Interest
Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Photon Films and Media
Simple comme Sylvain (The Nature of Love)
Director
Monia Chokri
Writer
Monia Chokri
Cast
Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Monia Chokri, Magalie Lépine Blondeau, Francis-William Rhéaume
Producers
Nathanaël Karmitz, Sylvain Corbeil, Nancy Grant, Elisha Karmitz
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Immina Films
I Used to be Funny
Director
Ally Pankiw
Ally Pankiw is an accomplished writer and director who has worked on such television shows as Schitt’s Creek, The Great and Shrill. She directed the first season of the Netflix comedy series Feel Good, and recently wrote and directed her first feature film I Used to Be Funny which won the Audience Award for best narrative feature film at Inside Out. She is currently developing the TV show Standing By with Dan Levy.
Writer
Ally Pankiw
Cast
Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Jason Jones
Producers
Breann Smordin, James Weyman, Jason Aita
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
- Own Voice
Hey, Viktor!
Twenty-five years after starring in the hit 90s film Smoke Signals, Cody Lightning directs and stars in this uproarious mockumentary about a fictionalized version of himself attempting to make a sequel. When a mysterious fan offers a full budget for the film, Cody jumps at the chance, promising the full participation of the original cast. The only thing standing in his way is the small fact that the entire original cast hates him.
A refreshing and occasionally raunchy comedy, this charming underdog story is a great movie about how to make a terrible one.
Director
Cody Lightning (Cree)
Lightning is an actor and filmmaker who has been working in films since he was a child. Early roles include his performances in The Brave and Smoke Signals, and he went on to appear in films such as Manic and Run Woman Run. His performance in 2007’s Four Sheets to the Wind earned him the American Indian Film Festival award for Best Actor, and in 2023 he wrote, directed and starred in Hey,Viktor! which earned three Canadian Screen Awards nominations. He has also appeared on the Marvel TV series Echo.
Writer
Cody Lightning (Cree)
Cast
Cody Lightning (Cree), Roseanne Supernault (Cree/Métis)
Producers
Blake McWilliam, Sara Corry, Samuel Miller, Kyle Thomas
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Levelfilm
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
Young vampire Sasha is going to die if she doesn’t kill. Being entirely opposed to taking a human life to feed on, she has long relied on her family’s murderous habits to get her blood, until they suddenly cut her off. Enter Paul, a lonely teen who is considering ending his own life, and is more than willing to do so to help Sasha survive. As they each prepare for the next step in their budding doomed relationship, a true bond forms between them – one that is as sweet as it is inconvenient.
This truly unique coming-of-age story is a heartwarming and clever spin on the vampire genre, and has captured awards at festivals around the world.
“Ariane Louis-Seize makes her feature-length directorial debut with this daring and daffy horror-comedy that plays like Romeo and Juliet meets Beetlejuice and Amelie [sic].” – Kristy Puchko, Mashable
Director
Ariane Louis-Seize
Writers
Ariane Louis-Seize, Christine Doyon
Cast
Félix-Antoine Bénard, Sara Montpetit
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
- Own Voice
The Queen of My Dreams
Sumptuously capturing the feel of a Bollywood film while telling a relatable cross-continental story, Fawzia Mirza’s impressive debut feature is an instant classic.
“Mirza has created a film bursting with creative energy and distinctive aesthetic sensibilities.” – Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter
Director
Fawzia Mirza
Mirza is a writer, producer, actor and director whose work focuses on the Queer and Muslim experience in Canada, particularly on the intersection between the two. Her short films include The First Session, I Know Her, The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night and The Queen of My Dreams, which she adapted into her critically acclaimed debut feature of the same name.
Writer
Fawzia Mirza
Cast
Amrit Kaur, Nimra Bucha, Hamza Haq
Producers
Marc Tetreault, Jason Levangie, Andria Wilson
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, LGBTQ2S+, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Cineplex
- 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
Shorts Programme
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