Interest: Newcomer Stories
- Own Voice
The Waiting Room
A Bosnian immigrant, once a famous actor in his home country, struggles with the challenges of a new life in Canada and the memories of what he was forced to leave behind. Starring Jasmin Geljo and Cintija Asperger, who were both nominated for Canadian Screen Awards.
Director
Igor Drljaca
Writer
Igor Drljaca
Cast
Jasmin Geljo, Cynthia Ashperger
Producers
Igor Drljaca, Albert Shin, Jordan Barker, Borga Dorter, Munire Armstrong
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
A71 Entertainment inc.
- Own Voice
Riceboy Sleeps
This stunning second feature from Anthony Shim follows a Korean single mother who moves to Canada with her young son in the early 1990s, following the death of her husband. As she struggles to make ends meet and provide the best life possible for her son, she has to contend with his changing attitudes towards her, and towards their Korean culture.
A profoundly affecting drama about the immigrant experience, Riceboy Sleeps premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival where it won the Platform Prize, and was named to their 2022 Canada’s Top Ten list. It also won the award for Best Original Screenplay at the Canadian Screen Awards.
Director
Anthony Shim
Writer
Anthony Shim
Cast
Choi Seung Yoon, Ethan Hwang, Hunter Dillon
Producers
Bryan Demore, Anthony Shim, Rebecca Steele
Genre
Drama
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Game Theory Films
Peace By Chocolate
Tareq (Abou Ammar), a Syrian refugee in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, is torn between his dream to become a doctor and his family’s chocolate-making legacy. When his family joins him in Canada, his father’s new chocolate business becomes an unexpected success, leading to new, unforeseen challenges. Tareq must make a choice between being there to support the family that needs him or pursuing the life in Canada that he always envisioned for himself.
Inspired by the true story of the formation of the artisanal chocolate company of the same name, Peace By Chocolate is an inspiring and quintessentially Canadian story.
“Peace By Chocolate is a bona fide crowd pleaser, and a true story to boot.” - Chris Knight, The National Post
Director
Jonathan Keijser
Writers
Jonathan Keijser, Abdul Malik
Cast
Hatem Ali, Ayham Abou Ammar
Producers
Catherine Léger, Jonathan Keijser, Martin Paul-Hus
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
Vortex Media
- Own Voice
Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story
If you’ve ever watched the Toronto Raptors, chances are you’ve seen Nav Bhatia (aka the “Raptors Superfan”), stationed in the seat he’s sat in for every home game in the franchise’s history. Superfan explores how Nav found a home in Toronto, fell in love with the Raptors, and grew to be so beloved that he became the first fan ever to receive an NBA championship ring, as part of the 2019 championship Raptors team.
Featuring interviews with comedian Russell Peters, Vince Carter, Isiah Thomas, and Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, this compelling doc tells Nav’s inspiring story of perseverance, passion, overcoming adversity and ultimately finding success and joy.
Director
Amar Wala
Amar Wala is an award-winning Toronto-based filmmaker and alumni of York University’s Film Program. His debut feature The Secret Trial 5 earned him jury recognition as an Emerging Filmmaker at Hot Docs and was named as one of the Top Ten Docs of the Decade by Realscreen. Wala has also directed and produced award-winning television series such as the acclaimed CBC Arts program In The Making and the award-winning comedy series Next Stop.
Cast
Nav Bhatia
Producers
Vinay Virmani, Rinku Ghei
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, Biography, BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Good Karma Company
- 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
Eternal Spring
In 2002, members of the Chinese religious group Falun Gong hijacked the feed of a state TV network to protest the government’s ongoing persecution of religious minorities. Using incredible animation by comic book artist Daxiong, this gripping documentary reveals the untold story of how they pulled off this daring act of rebellion, and their subsequent fight for freedom.
Telling a story that is both incredibly personal and grand in scope, Eternal Spring won the Audience Choice Award at the Hot Docs festival, and was selected as the Canadian submission for the Academy Awards in 2022.
“Distinctively incisive on an emotional level, the film applauds the bravery of its participants to relive a painful shared trauma and create a permanent testament of what they endured.”
– Carlos Aguilar, The Los Angeles Times
Director
Jason Loftus
Writer
Jason Loftus
Cast
Daxiong
Producers
Masha Loaftus, Jason Loftus, Yvan Pinard, Kevin Koo
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Global Experiences, History, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
Other Language
Canadian Distributor
levelFILM
- Own Voice
Islands
In this unique “coming-of-middle-age” film, a lonely Filipino man quits his job to take care of his ailing father, while struggling with a forbidden infatuation.
Director
Martin Edralin
Writer
Martin Edralin
Cast
Sheila Lotuaco, Rogelio Balagtas, Esteban Comilang, Vangie Alcasid
Producers
Martin Edralin, Priscilla Galvez
Genre
Drama
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Circus Zero
- Own Voice
Easy Land
Director
Sanja Zivkovic
Cast
Daniel Kash, Nina Kiri, Mirjana Jokovic, Arlene Duncan
Producers
Julie Strifler, Matt Code, Kristy Neville
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
La sarrasine
Montreal, 1904: an Italian-Canadian immigrant couple is caught in the heightened tension between the city’s Italian and French-Canadian communities. Winner of a Genie for Tony Nardi’s performance.
Director
Paul Tana
Writers
Paul Tana, Tony Nardi, Bruno Ramirez
Cast
Enrica Maria Modugno, Tony Nardi
Producer
Marc Daigle
Genre
Drama
Interests
Discrimination, History, Newcomer Stories
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Association Coopérative des Productions Audio-Visuelles (ACPAV)
- Own Voice
Ararat
Director
Atom Egoyan
Egoyan received the Governor General’s award in 2015 for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. He was the first-ever Canadian director to earn two Oscar nominations (for The Sweet Hereafter). His award-winning films include Exotica, Ararat and The Captive. His most recent film, Guest of Honour, premiered at TIFF 2019.
Writer
Atom Egoyan
Cast
Simon Abkarian, Charles Aznavour, Christopher Plummer, Arsinee Khanjian
Producers
Robert Lantos, Atom Egoyan
Genre
Drama
Interests
Discrimination, Global Experiences, History, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
The World is Bright
Director
Ying Wang
Writer
Ying Wang
Producers
Jordan Paterson, Ying Wang, Su Jian Ping
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Moving Images Distribution
Les noces de papier (Paper Wedding)
Director
Michel Brault
Writer
Jefferson Lewis
Cast
Geneviève Bujold, Manuel Aranguiz
Producer
Aimée Danis
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
English, French, Other Language
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- Own Voice
Legend of a Warrior
Director
Corey Lee
Writer
Corey Lee
Cast
Billy Chow, Corey Lee, Frank Pang Lee
Producers
Susan Bristow, Bonnie Thompson, Corey Lee
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Family Relationships, Newcomer Stories, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
- Own Voice
Sabah
Sabah is frustrated at home with no means of escape. That is, until she meets non-Muslim Stephen (Doyle), who awakens her long-lost desire for independence and romance. Soon, Sabah is having a whirlwind cross-cultural affair that she must hide from her family.
Ruba Nadda’s witty and timely love story breathes new life into a classic tale of family, tradition, cultural difference and love.
Director
Ruba Nadda
Nadda is an internationally acclaimed writer and filmmaker whose credits include the features Inescapable and October Gale and television shows such as Killjoys; Frankie Drake Mysteries; Arrow; Roswell, Riverdale and many others. Her feature Cairo Time won the Best Canadian Feature at TIFF. She is currently producing the series Gray, and next she will direct the films Lifetime and Elizabeth.
Writer
Ruba Nadda
Cast
Arsinée Khanjian, Fadia Nada, Jeff Seymour, Shawn Doyle
Producers
Tracey Boulton, Atom Egoyan
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Antigone
In her last year of high school, straight-A student Antigone (Ricci) finds her life suddenly overturned when one of her brothers is murdered by a police officer, while the other is arrested. Having lived in Montreal since arriving as a refugee with her family over a decade ago, Antigone faces a terrible choice. She wants desperately to help her brother in prison, but doing so will put not only her promising future in jeopardy, but also her ability to stay in Canada. As her story becomes a media sensation, Antigone becomes a symbol for a movement of justice, as she makes a decision that will change her life forever.
Despite being based on a tragedy over 2,000 years old, Antigone is an urgent and extremely timely story. It was the official Canadian submission for International Feature Film at the Oscars in 2019.
“An intelligent, moving reworking of Sophocles' tragedy, electrified by a breakout turn from star Nahéma Ricci.” - Jessica Kiang, Variety
Director
Sophie Deraspe
Deraspe has made several feature and documentary films, including Rechercher Victor Pellerin, Les loups and Les signes vitaux, which won 15 awards and played over 30 film festivals worldwide. Her documentary work includes A Gay Girl in Damascus: The Amina Profile, and the series La Vie nous arrive. Most recently, she directed the series Bête noire, and the series Motel Paradis.
Writer
Sophie Deraspe
Cast
Nahéma Ricci, Rawad El-Zein, Antoine DesRochers
Producer
Marc Daigle
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Literary Adaptation, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Maison 4:3
- Own Voice
Les routes en février (Roads in February)
Director
Katherine Jerkovic
Writer
Katherine Jerkovic
Cast
Arlen Aguayo-Stewart, Gloria Demassi, Mathias Perdigón
Producers
Nicolas Comeau, Micaela Sole
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
1976 Productions
The Cuban
The Cuban is a touching story about friendship, love and of course, beautiful music. Mina (Golga), an Afghani-Canadian pre-med student in her first placement at a long-term care home, meets Luis (Gossett Jr.) an elderly musician whose dementia has deprived him of many of the memories of his youth in Cuba. When Mina finds a way to reignite his memory using music and food from his past, the two enter on an inspiring journey of self-discovery that reawakens Mina’s love of music, and changes both of their lives.
Featuring a stellar cast and beautiful original music, The Cuban is a heartwarming cross-cultural story that received 3 Canadian Screen Award nominations.
“As a story of the curative power of music, it works, has a good beat and you can dance to it.” - Richard Crouse, film critic
Director
Sergio Navarretta
Navarretta is an award-winning director whose credits include the shorts Serena DeBergerac, and The Fortune Cookie, and the features Looking for Angelina and The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship. Most recently, he executive produced Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend. Next, he will be directing the feature The Last Palikári, and he will be working with Louis Gosset Jr. again on his next film, Elephants in the Room.
Writer
Alessandra Piccione
Cast
Ana Golja, Louis Gossett Jr., Shohreh Aghdashloo
Producers
Alessandra Piccione, Taras Koltun, Ana Golja
Genre
Drama
Interests
Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Vortex Media
- Own Voice
Bollywood/Hollywood
As a joking way of accommodating them, he hires Sue (Ray), a beautiful escort girl, to pretend to be his fiancée. Naturally, the two fall in love, and just as naturally, complications ensue. Incorporating the wild stylistic excesses of Bollywood — the melodrama, the choreography and the music — Mehta allows Indian culture and societal attitudes to play out in Toronto.
“Much hilarity, joyful song and dance numbers and a surprisingly touching love story.” — Kevin Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Director
Deepa Mehta
Mehta gained acclaim for her trilogy, Fire, Earth and the Oscar-nominated Water. Her adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children was nominated for eight CSAs. She has also directed Bollywood/Hollywood, Beeba Boys, Anatomy of Violence, and many others. Her most recent film Funny Boy has also won multiple awards, including the CSA for best direction. Most recently, she directed an episode of the series Yellowjackets. She has numerous projects in development as a writer, director and producer.
Writer
Deepa Mehta
Cast
Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Jessica Paré, Moushumi Chatterjee
Producers
Camelia Frieberg, David Hamilton, Ajay Virmani
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
Arts and Culture, Asian Filmmaker, BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Newcomer Stories, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Breakaway
A cross-cultural story of self-discovery, Breakaway is a heartwarming, action-filled comedy, bringing a dash of Bollywood to Canada’s favourite sport. With a hilarious supporting cast including comedian Russell Peters, and a special appearance from Drake, Breakaway will have you cheering for its unlikely heroes.
Director
Robert Lieberman
Lieberman’s directing credits include the feature films D3: The Mighty Ducks, Fire in the Sky and Table for Five. He has won 29 Clio Awards for his work in advertising and has directed such hit TV shows as Lost Girl, Republic of Doyle, Houdini & Doyle, Haven, The Expanse, Rogue, and Criminal Minds. Most recently, he directed the features Christmas in Tahoe, Love Stories in Sunflower Valley and Love on the Road.
Writers
Noel S. Baker, Jeffrey Alan Schechter, Matt Simmons, Vinay Virmani
Cast
Vinay Virmani, Russell Peters, Rob Lowe, Camilla Belle
Producers
Ajay Virmani, Don Carmody, Frank Siracusa
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Discrimination, ESL, Family Relationships, Newcomer Stories, Sports
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Les oiseaux ivres (Drunken Birds)
Director
Ivan Grbovic
Writers
Ivan Grbovic, Sara Mishara
Cast
Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Hélène Florent, Claude Legault
Producers
Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Family Relationships, Global Experiences, Newcomer Stories, Social Justice & Politics
Original Languages
French, Other Language
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Opale