Intersection

Director Cecilia Araneda
Year 2022
Run Time 99min
Genre Drama

Chilean refugee Daniela came to Canada as a child after her mother was assassinated during Chile's dictatorship. Her father, Pepe, never wants to speak about Chile, but when her daughter Rocío starts to ask questions, Daniela decides to apply for Chilean citizenship for a first trip back. This triggers the Chilean government to piece together records never before connected in the paper days and leads them to uncover much more than Daniela expected.

Director

Cecilia Araneda

Writer

Cecilia Araneda

Cast

Carmen Aguirre

Producers

Cecilia Araneda, Joseph Novak

Genre

Drama

Interests

Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences

Original Language

English

Enter the Drag Dragon

Director Lee Demarbre
Year 2023
Run Time 99min
Genre Action/Adventure, Comedy

An amateur detective Drag Queen finds herself heading off with gangsters, zombies, and other bad guys.

Director

Lee Demarbre

Writer

Mark Pollesel

Cast

Jade London

Producer

Lee Demarbre

Genres

Action/Adventure, Comedy

Interest

LGBTQ2S+

Original Language

English

Mother of All Shows

Director Melissa D'Agostino
Year 2023
Run Time 110min
Genre Drama

In order for Liza to cope with the impending death of her estranged mother, she retreats to a 70's variety show in her mind where the all-powerful host is her own mother, Rosa, who leads a cast of people from Liza's past and present.

Director

Melissa D'Agostino

Writers

David James Brock, Melissa D'Agostino

Cast

Wendie Malick, Melissa D'Agostino

Producers

Matt Schichter, Matthew Campagna

Genre

Drama

Interest

Female Filmmaker

Original Language

English

Mi’ma’omakw: People of the Salmon

Director Damien Gillis
Year 2021
Run Time 17min
Genre Documentary

For well over ten thousand years, the First Nations of BC’s Broughton Archipelago have lived in harmony with their environment, thriving on a diet of wild salmon and seafood which they’ve stewarded sustainably… that is, until Norwegian owned open net pen fish farms showed up and began polluting these coastal waters with their waste, parasites and diseases. Now, these nations are reclaiming their territories, leading the science-based removal of fish farms in an effort to bring back wild salmon.

Director

Damien Gillis

Genre

Documentary

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Environment

Original Language

English

The King Tide

Director Christian Sparkes
Year 2023
Run Time 100min
Genre Drama, Thriller

After the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that the child is the next saviour.

Director

Christian Sparkes

Writers

Kevin Coughlin, Ryan Grassby, Albert Shin, William Woods

Cast

Frances Fisher

Producers

William Woods, Allison White

Genres

Drama, Thriller

Original Language

English

Autumn and the Black Jaguar

Director Gilles de Maistre
Year 2024
Run Time 100min
Genre Comedy, Family

A young girl who befriended the last remaining black jaguar in the world goes on an incredible journey to fight the poachers who have depleted the jaguar population, and to prevent the extinction of the species.

Director

Gilles de Maistre

Writer

Prune de Maistre

Cast

Emily Bett Rickards, Lumi Pollack, Wayne Charles Baker, Paul Greene

Producers

Jonathan Vanger, Sylvain Proulx, Gilles de Maistre, Catherine Camborde, Marco Colombo

Genres

Comedy, Family

Interest

Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

Photon Films

I Used to be Funny

Director Ally Pankiw
Year 2023
Run Time 105min
Genre Comedy, Drama
A dark dramedy that follows Sam (Rachel Sennott), an aspiring stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with PTSD, as she decides whether or not to join the search for Brooke (Olga Petsa), a missing teenage girl she used to nanny.

Director

Ally Pankiw

Writer

Ally Pankiw

Cast

Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Jason Jones

Producers

Breann Smordin, James Weyman, Jason Aita

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Interests

Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

levelFILM

Lovable

Director Alan Zweig
Year 2007
Run Time 101min
Genre Documentary

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

Director Robert McCallum
Year 2023
Run Time 90min
Genre Documentary

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

Hey, Viktor!

Director Cody Lightning (Cree)
Year 2023
Run Time 102min
Genre Comedy

Twenty-five years after starring in the hit 90s film Smoke Signals, Cody Lightning directs and stars in this uproarious mockumentary about a fictionalized version of himself attempting to make a sequel. When a mysterious fan offers a full budget for the film, Cody jumps at the chance, promising the full participation of the original cast. The only thing standing in his way is the small fact that the entire original cast hates him. 


A refreshing and occasionally raunchy comedy, this charming underdog story is a great movie about how to make a terrible one.

Director

Cody Lightning (Cree)

Writer

Cody Lightning (Cree)

Cast

Cody Lightning (Cree)

Producers

Blake McWilliam, Sara Corry, Samuel Miller, Kyle Thomas

Genre

Comedy

Interests

Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Indigenous Filmmaker

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

levelFILM

  • Own Voice

My Animal

Director Jacqueline Castel
Year 2023
Run Time 104min
Genre Drama, Horror, Romance

Living with a curse that turns her into a wolf if she’s out of the house after midnight, Heather (Menuez) is kept on a tight leash by her overbearing parents. But everything changes when she falls for the new girl in town, Jonny (Stenberg). The two form an instant connection, but as their relationship develops, it causes Heather to rebel, increasing the risk that her secret could be exposed – with disastrous consequences.


A stylish and tense horror-romance, this exciting first feature from director Jacqueline Castel features amazing performances from its two emerging leads, brought together with a cast of Canadian icons.


My Animal marks an impressive, confident feature debut for several key talents.” – Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

Director

Jacqueline Castel

Writer

Jae Matthews

Cast

Amandla Stenberg, Bobbi Salvör Menuez

Producers

Andrew Bronfman, Michael Solomon

Genres

Drama, Horror, Romance

Interests

Cult & Offbeat Cinema, Female Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+

Original Language

English

Seven Veils

Director Atom Egoyan
Year 2023
Run Time 107min
Genre Drama

After the death of her mentor, Jeanine (Seyfried) takes over the task of directing his production of the opera Salome, a piece they had collaborated on previously, to create his most celebrated work. But with the spectre of their complicated relationship still affecting her decisions, and mounting problems within the cast and crew as well as her personal life, Jeanine’s whole world could come crashing down at any second.


This stylish new psychological drama from Atom Egoyan, shot on location at the renowned Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, features an electric performance from Amanda Seyfried at the head of a terrific ensemble cast.


“A wildly ambitious, visually intoxicating reinterpretation of the Richard Strauss opera, Salome, that proves to possess almost as many layers as the Biblical princess’ famous dance routine.” – Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter

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

Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Liddiard

Producers

Niv Fichman, Fraser Ash, Atom Egoyan, Kevin Krikst, Simone Urdl

Genre

Drama

Interest

Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Canadian Distributor

Elevation Pictures

  • Own Voice

The Queen of My Dreams

Director Fawzia Mirza
Year 2023
Run Time 97min
Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance

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

Roses Sing on New Snow

Director Yuan Zhang
Year 2003
Run Time 7min
Genre Animation
Maylin, a fantastic chef, is kept in the shadows by her father who gives her brothers credit for her cooking. When a local dignitary visits, Maylin gets a chance to step into the spotlight.

Director

Yuan Zhang

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

Language Versions

EN CC, FR CC

Hockey Night

Director Paul Shapiro
Year 1984
Run Time 74min
Genre Drama, Family
Cathy (Follows), an avid youth hockey player, moves with her mother to Parry Sound and finds no leagues for girls her age. After securing a spot in the lineup of an all-boys team, she finds that regardless of how well she plays on the ice, she continues to face opposition from a major sponsor who insists he doesn’t want her on the team. As the team nears a major final, she has to rely on the support of her teammates, and particularly its star player (Bisson) to let her achieve her hockey dreams.

A Canadian sports classic, Hockey Night features the on-screen debut of Yannick Bisson (Murdoch Mysteries) and memorable performances from Rick Moranis and Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables).

Director

Paul Shapiro

Writers

Jack Blum, Paul Shapiro

Cast

Megan Follows, Rick Moranis, Gail Youngs

Producer

Martin Harbury

Genres

Drama, Family

Interests

Classics, Discrimination, Sports, Strong Female Leads

Original Language

English

Language Version

EN CC

Invasion of the Space Lobsters

Director Janet Perlman
Year 2005
Run Time 6min
Genre Animation
As they try to assemble their barbecue, a suburban family is stunned by the appearance of giant lobsters in an egg-shaped UFO, leading to hilarious pandemonium. In this clever animated throwback to 1950s monster movies, a neighbourhood learns the value of clear communication!

Director

Janet Perlman

Genre

Animation

Interest

Female Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, French

Sinking Ship

Director Sasha Leigh Henry
Year 2020
Run Time 13min
Genre Romance
On a seemingly ordinary date, a couple begins to frankly dissect their relationship, revealing the unexpectedly rocky foundation that it is built upon.

Director

Sasha Leigh Henry

Writer

Tania Thompson

Cast

Pip Dwyer, Edsson Morales, Madeleine Claude

Genre

Romance

Interest

Female Filmmaker

Original Language

English

  • Own Voice

Angakusajaujuq – The Shaman’s Apprentice

Director Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk)
Year 2021
Run Time 20min
Genre Animation
In this gorgeous stop-motion animation, a young Inuk woman follows her shaman grandmother to investigate a community member’s mysterious illness.

Director

Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk)

In 2015, Atanarjuat was selected as TIFF’s number one Canadian film of all time. Kunuk has directed shorts such as Exile and Home and features such as Maliglutit, which was nominated for two CSAs. He recently directed the series Hunting With My Ancestors and executive produced SGaawaay K'uuna (Edge of the Knife). His latest feature, One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk, premiered at TIFF 2019. Most recently, he directed the short The Shaman’s Apprentice, which won the CSA for Best Animated Short among other awards at festivals worldwide.

Writers

Jonathan Frantz, Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk)

Cast

Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (Inuk), Jacky Qrunnut, Lucy Tulugarjuk (Inuk)

Producers

Neil Christopher, Jonathan Frantz, Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk), Nadia Mike

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads

Original Languages

English, Inuktitut

The Magic of Anansi

Director Jamie Mason
Year 2001
Run Time 6min
Genre Animation
This animated short tells the story of Anansi, a little spider who is tired of being snubbed by other jungle animals, especially Mr. Tiger. Anansi hatches a plan to make the other animals respect him, but soon learns an important lesson about how to treat his friends.

Director

Jamie Mason

Genre

Animation

Interest

Literary Adaptation

Original Languages

English, French

  • Own Voice

No Crying at the Dinner Table

Director Carol Nguyen
Year 2019
Run Time 16min
Genre Documentary
Director Carol Nguyen reflects on a family tragedy through a series of interviews, exposing how trauma and grief can remain in the shadows for too long.
 

Director

Carol Nguyen

Producers

Carol Nguyen, Aziz Zoromba

Genre

Documentary

Interests

Biography, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, Other Language