Interest: LGBTQ2S+
When Night is Falling
Director
Patricia Rozema
Rozema is a director, writer, and producer whose work has garnered 13 awards, including the Le prix de la jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival and two Emmys. Her credits include short films, television, and feature films such as I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing, Mansfield Park, Grey Gardens, and Into the Forest. Her film Mouthpiece was named one of TIFF’s Top Ten Canadian Films of 2018.
Writer
Patricia Rozema
Cast
Pascale Bussières, Rachael Crawford
Producer
Barbara Tranter
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Closet Monster
The coming-of-age story gets an imaginative makeover with Stephen Dunn’s debut feature, which mixes affecting drama with whimsical fantasy to tell the story of high school senior Oscar (Connor Jessup), a young man who is struggling with his identity and a turbulent volatile home life with his increasingly volatile father.
Oscar finds an escape from his troubled home life in a passion for special effects and fantasy makeup that he shares with his best friend Gemma (Sofia Banzhaf) and hopes to pursue in college. At home, he creates a different fantasy world, sharing a close bond with the pet hamster (voiced by Isabella Rosellini) who has talked to him since his childhood.
When Oscar meets the cool, handsome Wilder (Aliocha Schneider), he finally starts coming to terms with his own sexuality, which he has repressed since witnessing a terrible act of homophobic violence as a child.
Closet Monster premiered at the Toronto International FIlm Festival, winning the award for Best Canadian Feature Film and was named one of Canada’s Top Ten films of 2015.
Director
Stephen Dunn
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Dunn established himself as a writer/director with short films such as Swallowed and Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, which starred Canadian screen legend Gordon Pinsent and won the CBC Short Film Face Off in 2013. His first feature, Closet Monster was released in 2015 and won the TIFF prize for Best Canadian Feature Film. He has written episodes of the 2022 reboot of Queer as Folk, Little America, and two Historica Heritage Minutes.
Writer
Stephen Dunn
Cast
Connor Jessup, Isabella Rossellini, Aaron Abrams, Aliocha Schneider, Joanne Kelly
Producers
Fraser Ash, Kevin Krikst, Edward J. Martin
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Discrimination, Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
Café de Flore
Director
Jean-Marc Vallée
An Officer of the Order of Canada, Vallée garnered nine Genie nominations for his first feature, Liste noire. C.R.A.Z.Y. was a box office hit and was honoured at film festivals worldwide. He directed the Oscar-nominated films Dallas Buyers Club and Wild, as well as Demolition starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the hit TV series Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects. He tragically passed away in December 2021.
Writer
Jean-Marc Vallée
Cast
Vanessa Paradis, Vanessa Paradis, Kevin Parent, Hélène Florent, Evelyne Brochu
Producers
Pierre Even, Marie-Claude Poulin
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
Arts and Culture, Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
J’ai tué ma mère (I Killed My Mother)
The first feature from internationally acclaimed director Xavier Dolan, J'ai tué ma mère explores the fraught relationship between 16-year-old Hubert (Dolan) and his mother (Dorval). With lingering tensions from his father leaving them, they live in a seemingly constant argument, and he does everything within his power to distance himself from her on a quest that strikes a perfect balance between heartbreaking and hilarious.
This semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story launched Dolan’s career, winning three prizes at Cannes before going on to international acclaim.
“A coming-of-age tale as ferociously raw as its teller” – Rick Groen, The Globe and Mail
Director
Xavier Dolan
Writer
Xavier Dolan
Cast
Xavier Dolan, Anne Dorval, François Arnaud
Genre
Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
K Films Amerique
- Own Voice
Wildhood
This remarkable second feature from Bretten Hannam follows two-spirit Mi’kmaw teenager Link (Lewitski) on a remarkable journey of self discovery set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Annapolis Valley. After finding out that his estranged mother may be alive, Link and his brother (Winters-Anthony) escape from their abusive father and set out to find her, helped along their way by Pasmay (Odjick), a young drifter who helps Link come to terms with his newfound sexuality.
Adapted from Hannam’s award-winning short film Wildfire, this realistic coming of age story is full of hope, love and heartbreak, and is a bold addition to the new wave of Indigenous filmmaking.
“Brettan Hannam's glorious first feature catapults him into the pantheon of filmmakers to watch.” – Frank J. Avella, Edge Media Network
Director
Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Writer
Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Cast
Phillip Lewitski (Mohawk), Joshua Odjick (Algonquin/Anishinaabe), Avery Winters-Anthony, Michael Greyeyes (Plains Cree)
Producers
Gharrett Patrick Paon, Julie Baldassi, Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Language Version
None
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Giant Little Ones
Heartfelt and intimate, this film explores friendship, self-discovery and the power of unlabeled love.
Director
Keith Behrman
Behrman is a writer and filmmaker whose writing and directing credits include the shorts Thomas; White Cloud, Blue Mountain; and Ernest. He directed episodes of The Unprofessionals, Da Vinci’s Inquest, This Is Wonderland, among others, and created the show The Stagers. His first feature, Flower and Garnet, premiered at TIFF and won 17 awards. His second feature, Giant Little Ones, also premiered at TIFF and won eight awards internationally.
Writer
Keith Behrman
Cast
Josh Wiggins, Darren Mann, Taylor Hickson, Kyle MacLachlan, Maria Bello
Producer
Allison Black
Genre
Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Jeune Juliette (Young Juliet)
This humorous and heartfelt fourth film from writer/director Anne Émond wonderfully captures the awkwardness and the pain of growing up, letting go, and learning to love yourself no matter what other people think.
“It’s remarkable... Beautifully written, and sprinkled with laughter.” — MarcAndré Lussier, La Presse (Translated from French)
Director
Anne Émond
Émond's debut feature, Nuit #1, won the Claude Jutra Award for Best Feature by a first time filmmaker at the 2012 Genie Awards. Her other credits include the shorts La vie commence, Sophie Lavoie and Plus rien ne vouloir, and the features Nelly and Les êtres chers, which received seven Jutra Award nominations and won for Best Direction. Her most recent film is Manuel de la vie sauvage.
Writer
Anne Émond
Cast
Robin Aubert, Alexane Jamieson, Léanne Désilets
Producer
Sylvain Corbeil
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Bullying, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
À tout prendre (Take It All)
Director
Claude Jutra
A prolific filmmaker, Jutra directed more than 30 productions, including Kamouraska, Surfacing (based on Margaret Atwood’s novel by the same name) and By Design. Mon oncle Antoine currently ranks second on the Toronto International Film Festival’s list of the top ten Canadian films of all time.
Writer
Claude Jutra
Cast
Claude Jutra, Johanne Harelle
Producers
Claude Jutra, Robert Hershorne
Genre
Drama
Interests
Classics, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Cassiopée
Venus
Director
Eisha Marjara
Writer
Eisha Marjara
Cast
Jamie Mayers, Debargo Sanyal
Producer
Joe Balass
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
FunFilm Distribution Inc.
- Own Voice
Zero Patience
A playful hybrid of activism and entertainment, Zero Patience polarized critics upon its release in 1993 but has since been hailed as an important work of New Queer Cinema.
Director
John Greyson
Writer
John Greyson
Cast
John Robinson, Normand Fauteux, Dianne Heatherington, Richardo Keens-Douglas
Producers
Alexandra Raffe, Louise Garfield, Anna Stratton
Genre
Drama
Interests
History, LGBTQ2S+
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
Cineplex Odeon Films
White Lie
Katie, a popular university student, has been pretending to have cancer to gain sympathy and gain the life she’s always wanted. Through fraudulent fundraising, she has been able to pay her way through university, and her relationship with her friends and girlfriend has never been better. When she is suddenly asked to produce medical records by her university, the facade she created begins to crumble and she risks being exposed for a fraud.
A brilliantly told cautionary tale, White Lie premiered at TIFF and was named to the Canada Top Ten list. It was also nominated for 4 Canadian Screen Awards including Best Picture.
“Driven by nuanced, persuasive performances and shot with an urgent, jittery tension, White Lie is a compelling close-up character study.” — Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter
Directors
Yonah Lewis
Lewis made his first feature film, Amy George, in 2011 with his frequent collaborator, Calvin Thomas. The duo has continued to work together, co-writing, directing and producing all their films, which include the features The Oxbow Cure and Spice It Up. They recently produced the short Every Day’s Like This, which premiered at TIFF 2020.
Calvin Thomas
Thomas made his first feature film, Amy George, in 2011 with his frequent collaborator, Yonah Lewis. The duo has continued to work together, co-writing, directing and producing all their films, which include the features The Oxbow Cure and Spice It Up. They recently produced the short Every Day’s Like This, which premiered at TIFF 2020.
Writers
Yonah Lewis, Calvin Thomas
Cast
Kacey Rohl, Amber Anderson, Martin Donovan
Producers
Yonah Lewis, Calvin Thomas, Karen Harnisch, Lindsay Tapscott, Katie Bird Nolan
Genre
Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
- Own Voice
Matthias et Maxime (Matthias & Maxime)
At a lakeside retreat, lifelong friends Matthias (Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas) and Maxime (Xavier Dolan) agree to star in a student film in which they have to share a kiss. Matthias, who is in a long-term relationship with a woman, is surprised that the kiss awakens in him unexpected feelings for his friend, causing him to question his own sexuality. As his confusion starts to take over his life, Matthias must try to come to terms with his identity before he loses everything.
This latest film from acclaimed filmmaker Xavier Dolan is a touching story of self-discovery that was nominated for Seven Prix Iris and was named to TIFF's Canada’s Top 10 of the year.
Director
Xavier Dolan
Writer
Xavier Dolan
Cast
Xavier Dolan, Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas
Producers
Xavier Dolan, Nancy Grant
Genre
Drama
Interest
LGBTQ2S+
Original Languages
English, French
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Rosie
Fréderique (Bray), a struggling artist living in 1980s Montreal, is shocked when she’s put in charge of Rosie (Hill), the young daughter of her foster sister who recently passed away. With an impending eviction from her apartment, and no desire to be a mother, she must rely on her chosen family – two aspiring drag stars Flo and Mo – to take care of the spirited youngster and keep Rosie out of the foster care system that Fréderique herself hated.
The first feature from director Gail Maurice, ROSIE is a touching and warm comedy that is sure to charm audiences the world over.
Director
Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis)
Maurice is a fluent Cree/Michif speaking actor and an award-winning filmmaker who founded her own company, Assini Productions, to tell stories that highlight strong Indigenous female leads. She has directed several shorts, including Smudge and Assini, as well as the feature film ROSIE, which she also wrote and produced. Her acting credits include Falls Around Her, Night Raiders, Bones of Crows, Aberdeen, and many other films and television series.
Writer
Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis)
Cast
Constant Bernard, Keris Hope Hill (Mohawk), Melanie Bray, Alex Trahan
Producers
Gail Maurice (Cree/Métis), Jamie Manning
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, French, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
TVA Films
The Wars
Follows the tense relationship between a young gay man and his family before and after he enlists in the First World War.
Director
Robin Phillips
Writer
Timothy Findley
Cast
Jean Leclerc, Brent Carver, Martha Henry, Ann-Marie MacDonald
Producer
Richard Nielsen
Genre
Drama
Interests
Classics, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Toronto Star
- Own Voice
Fanny: The Right to Rock
Director
Bobbi Jo Hart
Writer
Bobbi Jo Hart
Cast
Cherie Currie, Joe Elliott, Bonnie Raitt, Todd Rundgren
Producers
Robbie Hart, Bobbi Jo Hart
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, LGBTQ2S+, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Adobe Productions International
Jump, Darling
Director
Phil Connell
Writer
Genevieve Scott
Cast
Sheldon McIntosh, Cloris Leachman, Andrew Bushell, Thomas Duplessie
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
Dawn, Her Dad and the Tractor
Director
Shelley Thompson
Writer
Shelley Thompson
Cast
Amy Groening, Maya Henry, Robb Wells, Reid Price
Producers
Shelley Thompson, Terry Greenlaw, Carol Whiteman
Genre
Drama
Interests
Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Picture Plant
L’Amour au temps de la guerre civile (Love in the Time of Civil War)
Director
Rodrigue Jean
Writer
Ron Ladd
Cast
Alexandre Landry
Producers
Rodrigue Jean, Cédric Bourdeau
Genre
Drama
Interest
LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Les Films du 3 mars
Drag Kids
Director
Megan Wennberg
Writer
Megan Wennberg
Cast
Trinity Bailey, Olivia Bailey, Victoria Bailey-Kerr, Nemis Quinn Melancon Golden
Producers
Edward Peill, Erin Oakes
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Arts and Culture, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Tell Tale Productions
- Own Voice
Outrageous!
This cult classic was nominated for five Genie awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell, who also won a Silver Bear at the Berlin festival for his performance.
Director
Richard Benner
Benner was a filmmaker and screenwriter who wrote and directed the features, Happy Birthday, Gemini, Outrageous! and its sequel Too Outrageous!, and directed episodes of Monsters, 9B, Street Legal, and Avonlea. Outrageous! premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and played at TIFF and the Berlinale, where it won two awards, including the Silver Bear for Best Actor, for Craig Russell. Benner passed away in 1990.
Writers
Richard Benner, Margaret Gibson
Cast
Craig Russell, Hollis McLaren
Producers
William Marshall, Hend.rik van der Kolk
Genre
Comedy
Interests
Classics, LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne