Genre: Drama
- Own Voice
Backspot
Riley (Jacobs) and her girlfriend Amanda (Rutendo) devote their whole lives to their passion for cheerleading. Given a chance to compete with an elite squad, Riley pushes herself to a point of dangerous dedication in order to impress her idol, the all-star coach Eileen (Wood). As the pressure mounts on both her and the squad, Riley’s obsession threatens to make her lose everything, leading to an exhilarating finale that is sure to get your blood pumping!
Featuring an all-star cast at the top of their game, this intense cheerleading drama is unlike any other that has come before it.
“Jacobs and Waterson are in the same perfect lockstep as the film's cheer squad itself.” – Marya E. Gates, RogerEbert.com
Director
D. W. Waterson
Writers
D. W. Waterson, Joanne Sarazen
Cast
Evan Rachel Wood, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk)
Producers
Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (Mohawk), D. W. Waterson, Martin Katz, Alona Metzer
Genre
Drama
Interests
Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Sports, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
- Own Voice
Village Keeper
Director
Karen Chapman
Writer
Karen Chapman
Cast
Maxine Simpson, Oluniké Adeliyi, Zahra Bentham
Producers
Karen Chapman, Enrique Baniqued
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Smallaxx Motion Pictures
Maria Chapdelaine
Director
Sébastien Pilote
Writers
Louis Hémon, Sébastien Pilote
Cast
Sebastien Ricard, Sara Montpetit, Hélène Florent
Producers
Sylvain Proulx, Pierre Even
Genre
Drama
Interests
History, Literary Adaptation, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Sphere-Films
Matt and Mara
Director
Kazik Radwanski
Writers
Samantha Chater, Kazik Radwanski
Cast
Michael Michael Kolberg, Matt Johnson, Deragh Campbell
Producer
Candice Napoleone
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interest
Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
The Cinema Guild
Who By Fire
Director
Philippe Lesage
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French
SKEET
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
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
The Players
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
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
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
Stand!
Released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike that forever changed the labour movement in Canada, Stand! shows that while we’re now living in a different time, the power of joining together to fight for your rights hasn’t changed.
“A film that is actually about something, made by people who are expert storytellers.” – Neil Weisensel, The Globe and Mail
Director
Robert Adetuyi
Adetuyi is a screenwriter and director known for dance and action films. His writing credits include Stomp the Yard, Code Name: The Cleaner, Honey: Rise Up and Dance, and Trouble Sleeping. He wrote and directed Turn It Up, You Got Served: Beat the World, and directed Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack, Trouble Sleeping and Stand!, which won two ACTRA awards.
Writers
Rick Chafe, Danny Schur
Cast
Laura Wiggins, Gregg Henry, Hayley Sales
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
History, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Vortex Media
Bergers (Shepherds)
Tired of city life, a Québecois man leaves everything behind to pursue his dream of becoming a shepherd in rural France, where he must work illegally at a craft he knows almost nothing about. While the work proves more difficult than he’d imagined, everything changes when he wins over the like-minded Élise with his dreams of a pastoral life together. The two commit to a summer-long journey together in the mountains – with 800 sheep, and all the challenges that come with them.
Featuring breathtaking cinematography and a deeply human story, this beautiful romantic drama won the award for Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2024.
Director
Sophie Deraspe
Deraspe has made several feature films, including Les loups (The Wolves), the critically acclaimed Les signes vitaux (Vital Signs), and Antigone,which won six Canadian Screen Awards. Her documentary work includes A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile, and the series La Vie nous arrive (Life Happens to Us). She has also directed episodes of Bête noire (Black Beast), and Motel Paradis. Bergers (Shepherds), premiered and won Best Canadian Feature at TIFF 2024.
Writer
Sophie Deraspe
Cast
Michel Benizri, David Ayala, Félix-Antoine Duval, Solène Rigot
Producers
Luc Déry, Élaine Hébert, Kim McCraw
Genre
Drama
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences
Original Language
French
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
Rêver en néon (Neon Dreaming)
Convinced that her mother is international ballet superstar Karen Kain, eight-year-old Billie is dead set on proving it to everyone around her. But as her investigation starts to yield new information, she sets off with her best friend on an impossible adventure to finally get to the truth.
Using magical realism to capture the wonder and carefree innocence of childhood, this charming coming-of-age feature carries a beautiful message about the importance of family and community, and how they help you find your place in the world.
Director
Marie-Claire Marcotte
Marcotte is a playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker with numerous short film credits to her name, including Check ta chatte, Gili gili, Poil anyways, Fin de la pomme, and Goût d'un mensonge, among others. She has participated in residencies in Canada (Banff Centre — Leighton Studios), Belgium (Centre des écritures dramatiques W-B), France (La Chartreuse) and in Martinique (ETC Caraïbes). Neon Dreaming, her first feature, has won seven awards at international film festivals.
Writer
Marie-Claire Marcotte
Cast
Maélya Boyd, Genevieve Langlois, Corey Loranger
Producers
Corey Loranger, Marie-Claire Marcotte
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Filmmaker
La soeur de Margot (Margot’s Sister)
A shy pre-teen struggles when her classmates begin to make fun of her sister’s disability, until she finds the courage within herself to stand up to them.
Director
Christine Doyon
Genre
Drama
Interests
Bullying, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
- Own Voice
Tautuktavuk (What We See)
Blurring the line between narrative and non-fiction, Uyarak and her eldest sister Saqpinak, embark on a difficult healing journey after a traumatic event that reminds them of the importance of community, culture, and family. Tautuktavuk (What We See) explores issues of trauma, resilience, and domestic violence from the perspective of two Inuit women.
Directors
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)
Tulugarjuk is an actor, throat singer, writer and director who has starred in Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, L’iceberg, The Journals of Knud Rasmussen and Maïna, among other films. Tia and Piujuq was her directorial debut. She wrote, directed and starred in What We See, which won the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF 2023.
Writers
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk), Gillian Robinson, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau, Norman Cohn
Cast
Carol Kunnuk (Inuk), Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)
Producers
Jonathan Frantz, Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
Inuktitut
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Isuma Distribution International
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
Tu te souviendras de moi (You Will Remember Me)
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.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French
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