• 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

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

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

Short Film Programme

Director Various
Year 2022
Genre Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
In addition to the feature films in this catalogue, we also offer a wealth of Canadian short films suitable for various grade levels. They cover a variety of themes and topics, and encompass fiction and documentary, live action and animation. For the full list, check out our Short Film Programme page, and use the filters at the top to find something that meets your needs. 

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

Indigenous-made Short Films

Director Various
Genre Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
In addition to the feature films in this catalogue, we also offer a wealth of Indigenous-made short films suitable for various grade levels. They cover a variety of themes and topics, and encompass fiction and documentary, live action and animation. For the full list, check out our Short Film Programme and filter by Indigenous filmmaker. 

 

Director

Various

Genres

Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller

Interests

Arts and Culture, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, French, Other Language

Canada: A People’s History

Year 2000
Run Time 150min
Genre Documentary

Dramatic and gripping, this popular series illustrates pivotal moments in Canada’s history, bringing a compelling intimacy to grand, historic developments. From the stories passed down through oral tradition to the first encounters between Indigenous peoples and Europeans, through the battles that engulfed the continent and the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, to the modern era of feminism, multiculturalism and globalization, this captivating series brings to life the moments that have shaped our nation, telling Canada’s story through the eyes of the people who lived it.

Canada: A People’s History won the Gemini Award for Best Documentary Series and attracted over 14 million viewers. It is a collaborative production between the CBC and Radio-Canada and is available in both English and French.

Students can explore Canadian history further by delving into the series’ award-winning website (www.cbc.ca/history), which features behind-the-scenes footage, games, puzzles, lesson plans and links to other historical resources.

Each 105 minute episode is made up of several 10-to-15-minute segments, which can be shown independently. For a more detailed breakdown of the topics covered in each episode, please see www.cbc.ca/history.

 

SERIES 1: 15,000 B.C. to 1800 A.D. For centuries, the territory now known as Canada is home to over 50 Indigenous nations, each with unique traditions and culture. In the 16th century, European explorers arrive, creating Canada’s first colonies, and forever changing the landscape and the lives of the First Peoples.

SERIES 2: 1670 to 1873 By the 1800s, British exploration opens the West to settlement, laying the foundation of a new nation, but also displacing and devastating Indigenous inhabitants. Confederation soon follows, with the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

SERIES 3: 1873 to 1940 Canada’s early years are fraught with economic depression, rebellions and tension between English- and French-speaking Canadians. Immigration, rapid growth and sociopolitical change follow, ending abruptly with World War II, a pivotal moment in Canada’s quest for autonomy that comes at the enormous cost of 60,000 lives.

SERIES 4: 1940 to 1990 The end of the Great Depression and the flames and ravages of World War II give way to a new era of peace, progress and prosperity, as well as free trade, globalization, feminism, Indigenous land claims, multiculturalism, Québec nationalism and the explosion of computer technology.

Directors

Writers

Hubert Gendron, Mark Starowicz, Gene Allen

Producer

Mark Starowicz

Genre

Documentary

Interests

History, Social Justice & Politics

Original Languages

English, French

Canadian Distributor

CBC

  • Own Voice

From Far Away

Directors Shira Avni Serene, El-haj Daoud
Year 2000
Run Time 6min
Genre Animation
A young girl adjusting to life in Canada is scared by her new school’s Halloween event, but soon recovers when she gains acceptance from her peers.

Directors

Shira Avni Serene, El-haj Daoud

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

5:1

Director Sara Ben-Saud
Year 2021
Run Time 8min
Genre Documentary, Family

Filmmaker Ben-Saud takes us into her family home, where she was confined with her parents and adult brother and sister during the early months of the lockdown, to experience the sometimes funny and sometimes challenging realities of pandemic coexistence.

Director

Sara Ben-Saud

Writer

Sara Ben-Saud

Producer

Sara Ben-Saud

Genres

Documentary, Family

Interests

Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences

Original Language

French

7h59, Mile End

Director Mattias Graham
Year 2021
Run Time 9min
Genre Documentary
A docu-fiction portrait of residents of the Mile End neighbourhood in Montreal, QC, and the way they dealt with changes in their lives necessitated by pandemic lockdown measures. The film pairs reflections on the subjects’ changing relationships with their community, with stories from the historic 8pm - 5am curfew.

Director

Mattias Graham

Writer

Mattias Graham

Producer

Sharon Corder

Genre

Documentary

Original Language

French

  • Own Voice

De Face Ou De Profil (Face or Profile)

Director Sharon Fontaine (Innu)
Year 2014
Run Time 5min
Genre Documentary
Told from 16-year-old Sharon’s point of view, this charming short uses her wit and humour to reflect on society’s use of online avatars.

Director

Sharon Fontaine (Innu)

Writer

Sharon Fontaine (Innu)

Genre

Documentary

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, Indigenous Filmmaker

Original Language

French

Language Version

EN Subtitles

  • Own Voice

Hyphen: Gabriela’s Story

Director Gabriela Warrior Renaud
Year 2016
Run Time 5min
Genre Documentary

Renaud explores her hyphenated identity through a portrayal of the complexities of her multiracial family.

Director

Gabriela Warrior Renaud

Writer

Gabriela Warrior Renaud

Genre

Documentary

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, French

Language Version

EN Subtitles

  • Own Voice

Envers et contre tout (Against All Odds)

Director Kimberley Ann Surin
Year 2021
Run Time 10min
Genre Documentary
An incisive look at the way racism continues to act as a barrier to Black athletes from participating in youth hockey programs.

Director

Kimberley Ann Surin

Writer

Kimberley Ann Surin

Producer

Fabienne Colas

Genre

Documentary

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Female Filmmaker, Sports

Original Language

French

Language Version

EN Subtitles

  • Own Voice

Cherche Femme Forte (Wanted: Strong Woman)

Director Marilyn Cooke
Year 2019
Run Time 15min
Genre Drama
Nawedge, a nurse in a care home, discovers a new side of herself when she joins an underground wrestling ring.

Director

Marilyn Cooke

Writer

Marilyn Cooke

Cast

Tatiana Zinga Botao

Producer

Nellie Carrier

Genre

Drama

Interest

Female Filmmaker

Original Language

French

Language Version

EN Subtitles

Chef de meute (Herd Leader)

Director Chloé Robichaud
Year 2012
Run Time 13min
Genre Comedy
After the death of her aunt, Clara becomes the reluctant new owner of a disobedient pug. 

Director

Chloé Robichaud

Writer

Chloé Robichaud

Cast

Eve Duranceau

Producers

Sarah Pellerin, Fanny-Laure Malo, Chloé Robichaud

Genre

Comedy

Interests

Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker

Original Language

French

Blind Vaysha

Director Theodore Ushev
Year 2016
Run Time 8min
Genre Animation, Drama
This Oscar-nominated NFB animated short tells the story of Vaysha, a young girl born with one green eye and one brown eye. But colour isn’t the only thing that’s different about Vaysha’s gaze. While her left eye sees only the past; her right sees only the future. Like a terrible curse, Vaysha’s split vision prevents her from inhabiting the present. Blinded by what was and tormented by what will be, she remains trapped between two irreconcilable temporalities. “Blind Vaysha,” they called her. 

In this metaphoric tale of timeless wisdom and beauty based on the eponymous short story by Georgi Gospodinov, filmmaker Theodore Ushev reminds us of the importance of keeping our sights on the present moment.

Director

Theodore Ushev

Writers

Georgi Gospodinov, Theodore Ushev

Cast

Caroline Dhavernas

Producers

Marc Bertrand, Julie Roy

Genres

Animation, Drama

Interests

Arts and Culture, Global Experiences, Literary Adaptation

Original Languages

English, French

Instant French

Director André Leduc
Year 1979
Run Time 1min
Genre Comedy
This hilarious commercial for a make-believe electronic translation device is a wry commentary on the anxiety of our nation’s Anglophones.

Director

André Leduc

Cast

Rod Charlebois

Producer

David Verrall

Genre

Comedy

Interest

Arts and Culture

Original Languages

English, French

Canadian Distributor

National Film Board (NFB)

Flux

Director Christopher Hinton
Year 2002
Run Time 8min
Genre Animation, Drama
A whimsical piece that plays with both the significant and mundane events in the lives of a large family.

Director

Christopher Hinton

Writer

Christopher Hinton

Producer

David Verrall

Genres

Animation, Drama

Interests

Family Relationships, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

Canadian Distributor

National Film Board (NFB)

Begone Dull Care

Directors Norman McLaren, Evelyn Lambart
Year 1949
Run Time 8min
Genre Animation, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
In this extraordinary short animation, Evelyn Lambart and Norman McLaren painted colours, shapes, and transformations directly on to their filmstrip. The result is a vivid interpretation, in fluid lines and colour, of jazz music played by the Oscar Peterson Trio.

Directors

Norman McLaren, Evelyn Lambart

Producer

Norman McLaren

Genres

Animation, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Interest

Arts and Culture

Original Languages

English, French, Other Language

Canadian Distributor

National Film Board (NFB)

  • Own Voice

Âme Noire (Black Soul)

Director Martine Chartrand
Year 2000
Run Time 10min
Genre Animation, Documentary, Drama

An exhilarating voyage through the def ining moments of black history.

Director

Martine Chartrand

Writer

Martine Chartrand

Producers

Yves Leduc, Pierre Hébert, Marcel Jean

Genres

Animation, Documentary, Drama

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

Canadian Distributor

National Film Board (NFB)

Taxi Libre

Director Kaveh Nabation
Year 2010
Run Time 13min
Genre Drama

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)