Interest: Biography
Geographies of Solitude
Director
Jacquelyn Mills
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Environment
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Films We Like
The Life and Times of Norman Jewison
Directors
Cast
Norman Jewison, Ann-Marie MacDonald
Genre
Documentary
Interest
Biography
Original Language
English
Lovable
Love: Why is it so difficult? That’s the question at the heart of Alan Zweig’s poignant and personal meditation about heartache and the inability to find ‘the one’. But rather than focusing solely on himself, he turns the camera outwards, getting a range of perspectives from single female friends that show the highs and lows of their relationships, and why they think it’s never worked out for them.
Using his distinctive style and wit, Zweig manages to make a film that anyone, no matter their relationship status, can relate to, and resonate with.
Director
Alan Zweig
Writer
Alan Zweig
Cast
Alan Zweig
Genre
Documentary
Interest
Biography
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 this universally celebrated and uniquely Canadian children’s programme, 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
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
No Crying at the Dinner Table
Director
Carol Nguyen
Producers
Carol Nguyen, Aziz Zoromba
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, Other Language
- 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
Foster Child
At 35 years old, filmmaker Gil Cardinal makes the decision to seek out his biological family, sending him on a journey into his own roots, uncovering an ancestry he knew nothing about. As Cardinal discovers that he was forcibly taken from his Métis mother, the film shifts into addressing the ongoing systematic oppression of Indigenous peoples.
This incredibly personal documentary was a landmark in Indigenous storytelling on film, and received many accolades including the Gemini award for directing.
Director
Gil Cardinal (Métis)
Cast
Gil Cardinal (Métis), Don Cardinal (Métis)
Producer
Jerry Krepakevich
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Classics, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Joe
Director
Jill Haras
Genre
Animation
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Jordan Gordon’s Guide to Kuujjuaq
Director
Jordan Gordon (Inuk)
Writer
Jordan Gordon (Inuk)
Genres
Comedy, Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Environment, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair
As the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Senator Murray Sinclair is a key figure in raising global awareness of the atrocities of Canada’s residential school system. Master documentarian Alanis Obomsawin blends Senator Sinclair’s thought-provoking acceptance speech from his WFM-Canada World Peace Award with powerful testimonies of survivors of the residential school system. With determination, wisdom and kindness, Senator Sinclair provides a clear and nuanced explanation of the residential school system and its profound ongoing impacts, and asserts that actual reconciliation requires accepting these difficult truths about Canada’s past and present. The film reminds us to honour the lives and legacies of those affected, lays out avenues for real change, and ultimately leaves us with a profound feeling of hope for a better future.
Director
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Legendary Abenaki filmmaker Obomsawin has made over 50 documentaries on issues affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Trick or Treaty?, Is the Crown at War with Us?, Our People Will Be Healed and Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger. Her most recent film is the short documentary Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair. Next, she is set to appear in an episode of Marie Clements' Bones of Crows: The Series.
Writer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Cast
Murray Sinclair
Producer
Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Alias Grace
Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s Giller prize-winning novel of the same name, this miniseries has received universal acclaim, earning 5 Canadian Screen Awards including best limited series.
Director
Mary Harron
Harron is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter, and former entertainment critic. She gained recognition for her role in writing and directing several independent films, including writing I Shot Andy Warhol, and co-writing as well as directing American Psycho. Her most recent film, Daliland starring Sir Ben Kingsley, premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writer
Sarah Polley
Cast
Edward Holcroft, Rebeccah Liddiard, Sarah Gadon
Producers
Sarah Polley, D.J. Carson
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Female Filmmaker, History, Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Cree Code Talker
Director
Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree)
Producers
Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree), Cowboy Smithx (Blackfoot)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Radical
Director
Deanne Foley
Writer
Mary Walsh
Cast
Mary Walsh
Producer
Annette Clarke
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
McLaren’s Negatives
Director
Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre
Writer
Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre
Cast
Patrick Coutu
Genre
Animation
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- Own Voice
Lost Moccasin
Bradford Bilodeau tells the story of how he reconnected with his birth family after being raised apart from them due to his forced adoption in the Sixties Scoop.
Director
Roger Boyer
Writer
Roger Boyer
Cast
Bradford Bilodeau
Producer
Darcy Waite (Cree)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Indigenous Filmmaker
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
What Are You?
The mixed-race identity is explored through a series of interviews recounting the isolation, discrimination and self-discovery that come from being stuck between two cultures.
Director
Richard Pierre
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Refuge in the Rockies
Director
Kaio Kathriner
Writers
Kaio Kathriner, Tom Malenica
Producers
Matt Drake, Tony Cerciello, Kaio Kathriner
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Language
English
Starlight and Other Sounds
Governor General Award-winning composer Alexina Louie shares her process for creating her engaging and often eclectic works.
Director
Josephine Anderson
Writer
Josephine Anderson
Producer
Shirley Vercruysse
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Ryan Reynolds: I’m a Laureate?
In a Canadian twist on a classic late night comedy bit, Ryan Reynolds reads out “nice tweets” while discussing his life and career.
Director
Christopher Auchter (Haida)
Cast
Ryan Reynolds
Producer
Nicholas Klassen
Genre
Documentary
Interest
Biography
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Thunderbird
The amazing story of Steven Collins, a First Nations ski jumper who competed in the Olympics when he was only 15 years old.
Director
Erin Collins (Anishinaabe)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Sports
Original Language
English