Interest: Newcomer Stories
Le coyote (The Coyote)
Director
Katherine Jerkovic
Writer
Katherine Jerkovic
Cast
Enzo Desmeules Saint-Hilaire, Jorge Martinez Colorado
Producer
Nicolas Comeau
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Game Theory Films
- Own Voice
Cette maison (This House)
Drawing from the events surrounding her fourteen-year-old cousin’s murder in 2008, director Miryam Charles wants to finally unpack her grief and the trauma associated with it. Through dream-like reenactments of her own childhood and an imagined life for her cousin, Charles delves into the changing emotional, political, and historical climates surrounding her family as Haitian-Canadians in Quebec.
This beautifully crafted film is a bold and thought-provoking look at family, and a moving tribute to a life tragically cut short.
“A daring blend of documentary and fantasy that invests a deeply personal drama with a wide historical scope.” – Richard Brody, The New Yorker
Director
Miryam Charles
Writer
Miryam Charles
Cast
Schelby Jean-Baptiste
Producer
Felix Dufour-Laperriere
Genres
Documentary, Drama, Experimental
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
H264 Distribution
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
Ru
Brilliantly adapted from Kim Thúy’s Governor General Award-winning novel of the same name, this compassionate story of resilience in the face of adversity is stunningly captured and deeply moving.
“An exceptional and beautiful film.” – Isobel Grieve, Montréal Guardian
Director
Charles-Olivier Michaud
Writers
Kim Thúy, Charles-Olivier Michaud, Jacques Davidts
Cast
Chloé Djandji
Producers
André Dupuy, Marie-Alexandra Forget
Genres
Drama, Family
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Immina Films
- Own Voice
The Queen of My Dreams
Azra (Kaur), a young Queer Pakistani-Canadian woman, has long felt disconnected from her mother, Mariam (Bucha). Reuniting in Pakistan for her father’s funeral in 1999, flashbacks to 30 years earlier show a young Mariam (played in a dual role by Kaur) falling in love with Azra’s father, Hassan (Haq). Jumping back and forth between these two coming-of-age stories, the connections between mother and daughter become more and more clear – but will they realise this in time to save their relationship?
Sumptuously capturing the feel of a Bollywood film while telling a relatable cross-continental story, Fawzia Mirza’s impressive debut feature is an instant classic.
“Mirza has created a film bursting with creative energy and distinctive aesthetic sensibilities.” – Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter
Director
Fawzia Mirza
Writer
Fawzia Mirza
Cast
Amrit Kaur
Producers
Marc Tetreault, Jason Levangie, Andria Wilson
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Cineplex Pictures
- 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
Al Ghorba
Director
Alia Hijaab
Writer
Alia Hijaab
Producer
Alia Hijaab
Genres
Animation, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Green Grass
A father and daughter seek refuge in a far away land, but what they find there may not be what they were expecting.
Director
Michael Greco
Writer
Michael Greco
Producer
Mariana Ospina-Arteaga
Genre
Drama
Interests
Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Found
Director
Paramita Nath
Writers
Souvankham Thammavongsa, Paramita Nath
Cast
Souvankham Thammavongsa
Producers
Paramita Nath, Ted Biggs
Genre
Experimental
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, History, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Taxi Libre
Jose Garcia was a doctor in his home country. Now, as a taxi driver in Canada, he must cope with a playfully taunting prospective employer who takes a seat in his cab.
Director
Kaveh Nabation
Writer
Kaveh Nabation
Cast
Omar Alexis Ramos Torres, Alain Cadieux, Marco Ledezma
Producers
Alexandra Yanofsky, Kat Baulu
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
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
- Own Voice
La Mariposa
A 7-year-old refugee takes an emotional journey as she works towards being able to swim in the deep end at her local pool.
Director
Andy Alvarez
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Newcomer Stories, Sports
Original Language
English
- Own Voice
Leftover
Director
Eui Yong Zong
Writer
Eui Yong Zong
Producer
Andy Kloske
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
Other Language
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Snow
Director
Kim Barr
Writer
Kathy-Ann Thomas
Cast
Hannah Chantée van Herten
Producers
Kathy-Ann Thomas, Kim Barr
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Subtitles
Wild Life
Directors
Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby
Producers
Marcy Page, Bonnie Thompson
Genres
Animation, Drama
Interests
Female Filmmaker, History, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- Own Voice
Tia and Piujuq
Tia (Bshara) is a 10-year-old refugee from Syria, living in Montreal and struggling to make friends and feel comfortable in her new environment. While her parents are preoccupied with her mother’s pregnancy and the challenges of everyday life in a new place, Tia is left mostly to her own devices.
Everything changes when she discovers a magical portal that transports her to Igloolik, a community in the Arctic Circle. There she meets Piujuq (Tulugarjuk), an Inuk girl who she quickly forms a deep bond with in spite of their cultural differences. Through their friendship, the stories of Piujuq’s grandmother, and their wanderings across the striking northern landscape, the girls are immersed in Inuit myth and magic.
A heartwarming magical-realist fable about friendship and discovery, Tia and Piujuq is a delightful adventure for all ages.
Director
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)
Writers
Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk), Marie-Hélène Cousineau, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau
Cast
Tia Bshara, Nuvvija Tulugarjuk (Inuk), Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (Inuk)
Genres
Drama, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Indigenous Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, French, Inuktitut, Other Language
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles, Other Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Vtape
- Own Voice
Akilla’s Escape
Akilla’s Escape premiered at TIFF in 2020 and went on to win 5 Canadian Screen Awards.
“Akilla’s Escape is a profound, tender reworking of the crime thriller” – Melissa Vincent, The Globe and Mail
Director
Charles Officer
Actor, writer and filmmaker Officer’s first feature, Nurse.Fighter.Boy, was nominated for 10 Genies, winning one. Officer also directed the docs Mighty Jerome, The Skin We're In, Unarmed Verses, and Invisible Essence: The Little Prince, as well as the feature Akilla's Escape, which won five CSAs. He has recently directed episodes of Coroner, and executive produced and co-directed The Porter. He’s also the executive producer of the upcoming docs The Art of Dance and Emmanuel.
Writers
Charles Officer, Wendy Motion Braithwaite
Cast
Saul Williams, Thamela Mpumlwana, Donisha Rita Claire Prendergast, Colm Feore
Producer
Jake Yanowski
Genres
Drama, Thriller
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Family Relationships, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
Welcome to Canada
In this feature drama based on an actual incident, Newfoundlanders share their food, culture and homes with a group of Tamil refugees found off the coast. Starring Brendan Foley and Noreen Power.
Director
John N. Smith
Smith’s credits include award-winning TV docudramas such as The Boys of St. Vincent, Dieppe and Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, as well as numerous feature films, including Dangerous Minds, A Cool Dry Place, Geraldine’s Fortune and Love & Savagery among others. Sitting in Limbo won the Best Canadian Feature Film award at TIFF 1986.
Writers
John N. Smith, Sam Grana
Cast
Noreen Power, Brendan Foley
Producer
Sam Grana
Genre
Drama
Interests
Classics, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
From C to C: Chinese Canadian Stories of Migration
Beautifully filmed in Canada and China’s Guangdong province, this fascinating documentary contrasts the historical injustices faced by Chinese migrants over the last century with the experiences of contemporary Chinese Canadian youth.
Focusing on past discriminatory immigration policies, the film reflects on the meaning of prejudice and exclusion to those who experienced it and those who did not. By calling attention to the diverse nature of contemporary Chinese Canadian identities, the film paints an inclusive and diverse picture of Canada as a nation.
From C to C was nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Direction in a Documentary Program or Series.
Director
Jordan Paterson
Writers
Jordan Paterson, Paul Yeung, Denise Fong
Producer
Jordan Paterson
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, History, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
CBC
- Own Voice
When Morning Comes
With a languid, poetic visual style and psychologically complex depiction of relationships, When Morning Comes is a love letter to the strength and sacrifice of immigrant mothers.
(Note: not available for screenings in Canada on CanFilmDay 2023)
Director
Kelly Fyffe-Marshall
Writer
Kelly Fyffe-Marshall
Cast
Shaquana Wilson, Djamari Roberts
Producers
Tamar Bird, Iva Golubovic, Sasha Leigh Henry
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Black Filmmaker, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Talawa Studios