Interest: Female Filmmaker
Tous toqués! (All Stirred Up!)
Director
Manon Briand
Briand is a filmmaker and writer whose first short film, Les sauf-conduits, won Best Canadian Short Film at TIFF. She also directed a segment of the anthology Cosmos. Her features include 2 secondes, La turbulence des fluides (Chaos and Desire, for which she won a Jutra Award), Liverpool and Tous Toqués !, all of which she wrote and directed.
Writer
Manon Briand
Cast
Edouard Baer, Martin Gauthier, Julie Le Breton
Producer
Pierre Even
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Arts and Culture, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Sphere-Films
- 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
Hebron Relocation
Director
Holly Anderson (Labrador Inuit)
Writer
Holly Anderson (Labrador Inuit)
Producers
Latonia Hartery, Katherine Baulu
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- 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
- 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
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
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
Dounia et la princesse d’Alep (Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo)
Directors
André Kadi, Marya Zarif
Writer
Marya Zarif
Cast
Elza Mardirossian, Rahaf Ataya
Producer
Judith Beauregard
Genres
Animation, Family
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Dub, EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
500 Days in the Wild
Director
Dianne Whelan
Writers
Dianne Whelan, Tanya Maryniak
Cast
Dianne Whelan
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Environment, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Katak: The Brave Beluga
Directors
Nicola Lemay, Christine Dallaire-Dupont
Writer
Andrée Lambert
Producer
Nancy Florence Savard
Genre
Animation
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
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
- 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
- Own Voice
Seeds
In this tense thriller, a Mohawk internet personality receives her first sponsorship, promoting the seed and fertilizer company Nature's Oath. But when she returns to her reserve, she discovers a dark side to the company that threatens both her and her people.
Director
Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk)
Writer
Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk)
Cast
Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk), Meegwun Fairbrother (Ojibway), Cherish Violet Blood (Kainai), Graham Greene (Oneida)
Producers
Leonard Farlinger, Jennifer Jonas
Genres
Horror, Thriller
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Environment, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
- Own Voice
Singing Back the Buffalo
This epic and inspiring documentary not only offers a new perspective on our connection to the land, it shows us what’s possible when we come together. Singing Back the Buffalo is an essential call to take notice – and take action.
“Tasha Hubbard has created a piece of living history” – Caitie Talty, In the Seats
Director
Tasha Hubbard (Cree)
Hubbard is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and an associate professor in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies. Her NFB documentary Two Worlds Colliding won a Gemini and a Golden Sheaf Award. She has also directed the short film 7 Minutes, and the feature docs Birth of a Family, nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, which won 14 awards, including the CSA for best documentary and Best Canadian Documentary at Hot Docs 2019. She is a founding director of the International Buffalo Relations Institute. Her documentary Singing Back the Buffalo won three awards and was nominated for four others.
Writer
Tasha Hubbard (Cree)
Producers
George Hupka, Tasha Hubbard (Cree), Jason Ryle (Anishinaabe)
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Environment, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Cinema Politica
- 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
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
- Own Voice
Boat People
Directors
Kjell Boersma, Thao Lam
Writer
Kjell Boersma
Producers
Jelena Popovic, Justine Pimlott
Genre
Animation
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)