Interest: Arts and Culture
- Own Voice
Tomson Highway: kipimâtisinaw tapâhpeyahk
Director
Barry Bilinsky (Métis/Cree)
Writer
Barry Bilinsky (Métis/Cree)
Cast
Tompson Highway (Cree)
Producer
Chehala Leonard (Aseniwuche Winewak)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
Cree
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- 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
Can I Get a Witness?
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
Doors of War
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
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
- Own Voice
Red Fever
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)
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
- Own Voice
Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story
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)
- Own Voice
Johanne, tout simplement (Simply Johanne)
A touching portrait of Johanne Harelle, a Canadian model who achieved international success as one of the first Black models in North America. Winner of the award for Outstanding Feature Film at the Reelworld Film Festival in 2024.
Director
Nadine Valcin
Writer
Nadine Valcin
Cast
Hamani Harrell, Alain Cadieux, Pauline Bernatchez
Producers
Ania Jamila, Josiane Blanc
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Female Filmmaker, History, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Films du 3 Mars
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
Artie Shaw: Time is All You’ve Got
Director
Brigitte Berman
Writer
Brigitte Berman
Cast
Artie Shaw
Producers
Brigitte Berman, Don Haig
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, History
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Rialto Pictures
- Own Voice
Black Life: Untold Stories – Northern Beats
A musical look at the rise of hip hop in Canada, as told by some of its earliest pioneers, culminating in the worldwide success of artists like Drake and The Weeknd.
Directors
Will Prosper, Alicia K. Harris
Writers
Leslie Norville, Margot Daley
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, History
Original Language
English
Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe
For so many Canadians, Ernie Coombs and his character Mr. Dressup was an enduring childhood fixture, promoting the power of creativity, play and imagination. This heartwarming documentary traces the roots of the tv series Mr. Dressup, a universally celebrated and uniquely Canadian children’s programme, exploring its enduring legacy, and how it stayed true to its aim throughout its run of almost 30 years.
Winner of the People’s Choice Award for Best Documentary at TIFF, Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe is an absolute crowd-pleaser that is sure to bring a tear to your eye.
“The Magic of Make-Believe not only serves as a reminder of the joy Coombs brought to our young lives, but it also emphasizes the need for Mr. Dressup's patience and kindness today more than ever.” – Rachel Ho, Exclaim!
Director
Robert McCallum
Rob McCallum is an award-winning filmmaker whose work focuses on subjects such as video games, heavy metal, fanboy fanatics, and more. His feature documentary credits include Nintendo Quest, Missing Mom, Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Art of Protest, and Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe, which won several awards, including the CSAs for best writing and best direction in a documentary, and the TIFF documentary People’s Choice Award.
Writers
Robert McCallum, Jordan Christopher Morris
Producers
Nina Keogh, Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Jordan Christopher Morris, Aeschylus Poulos
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, ESL, History, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Amazon
- 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
Testament
Archivist Jean-Michel (Girard) doesn’t recognize the world he’s living in anymore. Feeling like society has moved on from him, he’s dismayed when the seemingly safe confines of his retirement home become the site for a protest centred on a culture clash of generational values. As it grows into a full-blown media sensation, he decides to involve himself in the conflict – with hilarious results.
Partly a reflection on life and legacy, partly a playful skewering of contemporary society, the latest from Canadian icon Denys Arcand is a touching comedy with a lot of heart.
“Arcand’s genius is in every frame of this movie.” – Ralph Lucas, Northernstars.ca
Director
Denys Arcand
A Companion of the Order of Canada, Arcand is an icon of Canadian and Quebecois cinema, and his work has earned him four Academy Award Nominations, including for Best Foreign Film which he won in 2004 for Les invasions barbares. In 1986, his film Le Déclin de l'empire américain became the highest grossing film in Quebec, and his iconic Jésus de Montréal won 12 Genie Awards in 1990. He has also worked in English, directing Love and Human Remains in 1993 and Stardom in 2000.
Writer
Denys Arcand
Cast
Rémy Girard, Sophie Lorain
Producer
Denise Robert
Genre
Drama
Interest
Arts and Culture
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films
- 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
- 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
Indigo
Director
Amanda Strong (Michif)
Writer
Daniel T. Fischer
Producers
Luke Sargent, Brett Long, Amanda Strong (Michif)
Genre
Experimental
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Vtape
- Own Voice
Dancers of the Grass
Director
Melanie Jackson (Métis/Saulteaux)
Writer
Melanie Jackson (Métis/Saulteaux)
Producers
Dennis Jackson (Cree), Melanie Jackson (Métis/Saulteaux), Anand Ramayya
Genres
Animation, Family
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)