Interest: Sports
Il était une fois les boys (When We Were Boys)
In this original, fun and hilarious prequel set in 1965, we find Les Boys as they originally were: hardy teenagers. Dreaming of victory in the Holiday tournament, the team is on Christmas vacation, but it’s anything but a restful experience: they have goals to make and trophies to win.
Full of wonderful highs and lows that evoke the rollercoaster experience of adolescence, When We Were Boys is a rare thing in cinema: a terrific and successful prequel.
Director
Richard Goudreau
Writer
Richard Goudreau
Cast
Simon Pigeon, Derek Poissant, Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay, Samuel Gauthier
Producers
Michel Gauthier, Richard Goudreau, André Rouleau
Genre
Comedy
Interest
Sports
Original Language
French
Language Version
EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Mighty Jerome
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.
Writer
Charles Officer
Cast
Nykeem Provo
Producers
Tracey Friesen, Selwyn Jacob
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, History, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
NFB
Maurice Richard (The Rocket)
But this is much more than a sports movie. Director Binamé frames the story in a cultural context: It isn’t until Richard, a man of few words, begins to speak his mind about the inequalities and prejudice directed toward French Canadians that he finds his voice.
Many feel that the riots caused by Richard’s suspension in 1955 were the spark that fuelled the Quiet Revolution in Quebec. This hockey blockbuster is chock-full of heart and history.
The Rocket was nominated for 13 Genie Awards and won nine.
Director
Charles Binamé
Binamé’s Eldorado screened at the prestigious Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 1995. He also directs for hit TV shows such as Reign, Flashpoint, Rookie Blue and Republic of Doyle. His latest film, Elephant Song, won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Writer
Ken Scott
Cast
Roy Dupuis, Julie Le Breton, Stephen McHattie, Patrice Robitaille
Producers
Daniel Louis, Denise Robert
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, History, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributors
eOne, FunFilm/Criterion
The Sweater
This short film, based on the book The Hockey Sweater, is an NFB classic that appeals to hockey lovers of all ages.
Director
Sheldon Cohen
Writer
Roch Carrier
Cast
Roch Carrier
Producers
Marrin Canell, David Verrall
Genres
Animation, Family
Interests
Classics, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
NFB
Goon 2: Last of the Enforcers
Director
Jay Baruchel
Writers
Jay Baruchel, Jesse Chabot
Cast
Elisha Cuthbert, T.J. Miller, Liev Schreiber
Producers
David Gross, André Rouleau
Genre
Comedy
Interest
Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Giants of Africa
Director
Hubert Davis
Davis’s first film, Hardwood, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Documentary. He received the Don Haig award at the Hot Docs festival for Invisible City, and has directed numerous award winning commercials, as well as the short film Aruba and the 2016 feature doc Giants of Africa. His 2017 short, Rivolta, won a Cannes Film Lion. his most recent feature doc Black Ice, premiered at TIFF 2022. Next, he is working on the series The Count.
Writer
Hubert Davis
Cast
Masai Ujiri
Producer
Josiah Rothenberg
Genre
Documentary
Interest
Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Elevation Pictures
Goalie
Director
Adriana Maggs
Writers
Jane Maggs, Adriana Maggs
Cast
Mark O'Brien, Kevin Pollak, Georgina Reilly, eric bruneau
Producer
Daniel Iron
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, Female Filmmaker, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media
Junior Majeur (Major Junior)
Five years after the events of Les Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie best friends Janeau (Pilon) and Joey (Goulet) have made it to Quebec’s semiprofessional hockey league. Both athletes have their sights set on the NHL and scouts have begun to take an interest. Then, in a sudden twist of fate, the two are caught in a devastating car accident that threatens both of their careers. The road to recovery is full of complex challenges and emotions that may end up doing irreparable damage to their previously strong friendship.
A more mature exploration of friendship and the competitive world of junior hockey, this is a coming of age drama with a whole lot of heart.
Director
Éric Tessier
Tessier’s first film was the award-winning short Viens dehors! His feature films include Sur le seuil, Vendus, 5150 rue des Ormes, Junior Majeur, and Les Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie, which won the Best Feature Film award at TIFF Kids. He recently directed the films Tu te souviendras de moi and When Love Blooms, and episodes of Hôtel and Transplant. He is currently directing The Amityville Curse.
Writers
Martin Bouchard, Emmanuel Joly
Cast
Antoine Olivier Pilon, Rémi Goulet, Alice Morel-Michaud, Normand Daneau
Producer
Christian Larouche
Genre
Drama
Interest
Sports
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Seville
The Grizzlies
Based on an inspiring true story, The Grizzlies is a powerful film about the determination and resilience of a group of Inuit youth struggling with the legacy of colonization.
When Russ Sheppard (Schnetzer) moves to Kugluktuk, NU, to be a teacher, he is shocked by the challenges facing the community, most especially the ongoing epidemic of teen suicide. Russ introduces a lacrosse programme and gradually wins the trust of his students. Together, the youth find a sense of pride and purpose in themselves and their community.
The Grizzlies was called “transcendently moving” by The Hollywood Reporter and has won multiple awards and been screened to acclaim at film festivals around the world. Cast members Paul Nutarariaq and Anna Lambe earned Canadian Screen Award nominations for their performances.
* Please note that this film has Indigenous producers, but not an Indigenous director. imagineNATIVE defines an Indigenous-made film as one directed or co-directed by an Indigenous person.
Director
Miranda de Pencier
De Pencier is a director and producer whose first short film Throat Song won four awards including a CSA for Best Live Action Short. The Grizzlies won the DGC’s Outstanding Directorial Achievement Feature Film Award. She has produced several films, including Cake, Beginners and Thanks for Sharing and episodes of Anne With an E. She is currently producing the film The Chocolate Money.
Writers
Graham Yost, Moira Walley-Beckett
Cast
Emerald MacDonald (Inuk), Paul Nutarariaq (Inuk), Anna Lambe (Inuk), Ben Schnetzer, Ricky Martin-Pahtaykan (Plains Cree/Stoney Nakoda)
Producers
Stacey Aglok MacDonald (Inuk), Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk), Damon D'Oliveira, Miranda de Pencier, Zanne Devine
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Bullying, Discrimination, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media/Criterion
- Own Voice
Run Woman Run
Single mother Beck (Hebert) finds her life upended when she faces a health scare and is forced to make big changes to the way she lives. Beck decides to start training for a marathon to prove to herself and her family that she’s able to get back on track.
Guided by the ghost of her ancestor, legendary long distance runner Tom Longboat (Koostachin), she sets out on a journey that is both emotional and inspiring. Told in a lighthearted and charming way, Run Woman Run is a feel-good anti-rom-com about a woman who has to tackle the ghosts of her past before she can run toward a better future. Winner of the Audience Choice Award and Moon Jury Prize at imagineNATIVE.
“It’s one of the year’s best” – Alex Heeney, Seventh Row
Director
Zoe Leigh Hopkins (Heiltsuk/Mohawk)
Hopkins is an alumna of the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program, and has directed numerous shorts, including Button Blanket, Mohawk Midnight Runners, Impossible to Contain and a segment of The Embargo Project. She has directed the features Kayak to Klemtu and Run Woman Run, which won the Audience Choice award at imagineNATIVE 2021. She is currently writing and directing the series Little Bird.
Writer
Zoe Leigh Hopkins (Heiltsuk/Mohawk)
Cast
Lorne Cardinal (Cree), Braeden Clarke (Cree), Asivak Koostachin (Cree/Inuk), Jayli Wolf (Anishinaabe), Dakota Ray Hebert (Dene)
Producers
Paula Devonshire (Mohawk), Pj Thornton, Laura Milliken (Ojibway)
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Interests
BIPOC Stories, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Indigenous Filmmaker, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
LevelFILM
- Own Voice
The Boxing Girls of Kabul
The members of the Afghan women’s boxing team are determined to compete on the world stage, and all share a dream of representing their country in the Olympics. Constantly having to deal with political pressure, lack of funding, and improper training facilities, these young women still manage to break through the barriers before them in their fight to keep their boxing careers alive.
This powerful documentary follows the boxers’ lives both in and out of the ring, with interviews with their coaches and family members that not only show what they’ve had to overcome, but also the long journey that still lies ahead of them.Winner of the Canadian Screen Award for Best Short Documentary.
Director
Ariel Nasr
Writer
Ariel Nasr
Producer
Annette Clarke
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
National Film Board (NFB)
Louis Cyr: l’homme le plus fort du monde (Louis Cyr)
The top-grossing film of the year in Quebec, Louis Cyr won two Canadian Screen Awards and nine Jutra Awards, including Best Film.
Director
Daniel Roby
Roby’s feature film debut, La peau blanche, premiered at TIFF and went on to win the Canadian Screen Award for Best First Feature. He followed that with Funkytown, Louis Cyr (which swept the awards season) and Dans la brume. His most recent films are A Breath Away and Most Wanted.
Writer
Sylvain Guy
Cast
Antoine Bertrand, Guillaume Cyr, Rose-Maïté Erkoreka
Producers
Caroline Héroux, Christian Larouche
Genre
Drama
Interests
Biography, History, Sports
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Subtitles, FR CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Black Ice
From executive producers Drake, LeBron James and Maverick Carter, and Academy Award-nominated director Hubert Davis, this documentary chronicles the legacy of anti-Black racism in hockey, from the early segregation of Nova Scotia’s Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes to the experiences of today’s Black NHLers. This powerful film is a must-see critique of the systemic failures that have sidelined Black Canadians in a sport that’s in the country’s DNA.
Black Ice won over audiences and critics alike upon its TIFF premiere in 2022, winning the festival’s People’s Choice Award for Documentaries. It was also named to TIFF’s annual Canada’s Top Ten list.
Director
Hubert Davis
Davis’s first film, Hardwood, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Documentary. He received the Don Haig award at the Hot Docs festival for Invisible City, and has directed numerous award winning commercials, as well as the short film Aruba and the 2016 feature doc Giants of Africa. His 2017 short, Rivolta, won a Cannes Film Lion. his most recent feature doc Black Ice, premiered at TIFF 2022. Next, he is working on the series The Count.
Writer
Hubert Davis
Cast
P.K. Subban
Producer
Vinay Virmani
Genre
Documentary
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Social Justice & Politics, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Elevation
La course des tuques (Racetime)
This fun and action-packed sequel is a wild romp through the trials and tribulations, passionate joys and little victories of childhood. Frankie and Sophie are teaming up for a spectacular sled race through the village, and this time they’ve got some new friends along for the ride, including the mysterious Zac and his musical cousin Charly.
Directors
François Brisson, Benoit Godbout
Writers
Paul Risacher, Claude Landry, Maxime Landry
Cast
Mariloup Wolfe, Hélène Bourgeois Leclerc, Sophie Cadieux, André Sauvé
Producer
Marie-Claude Beauchamp
Genres
Action/Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Interests
Bullying, Sports
Original Languages
English, French
Canadian Distributor
eOne
- Own Voice
Across The Line
Director
Director X
Director X (Julien Christian Lutz) is one of the most prolific music video directors of all time and has worked on videos for artists like Drake, Usher, Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Sean Paul, and many more. He received acclaim for his feature directorial debut Across the Line and went on to direct the remake of SuperFly and episodes of the TV series Backstage. He is currently writing, directing and executive producing the series Robyn Hood.
Writer
Floyd Kane
Cast
Stephan James, Sarah Jeffery, Steven Love
Producers
Amos Adetuyi, Floyd Kane, Michael Donovan, Mark Gosine, Elizabeth Guildford
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Discrimination, Family Relationships, Sports
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributors
A71 Entertainment inc., Vortex Media
Goon
Michael Dowse’s brilliant comedy is big on character and bigger on heart, sure to appeal to both die-hard hockey fans and sports-phobic audiences alike.
Director
Michael Dowse
Dowse’s credits include the cult classics Fubar, Fubar II and It’s All Gone Pete Tong. His film Goon was a huge critical and box-office success. The F Word won the CSA for Best Adapted Screenplay. Dowse also directed episodes of Man Seeking Woman, starring Jay Baruchel, the feature film Stuber, 8 Bit Christmas, and Coffee and Kareem. He is currently set to direct the film adaptation of the video game Just Cause and is developing a series about the late Toronto mayor Rob Ford.
Writers
Jay Baruchel, Evan Goldberg, Doug Smith, Adam Frattasio
Cast
Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Alison Pill, Marc-André Grondin, Kim Coates
Producers
Jay Baruchel, Don Carmody, André Rouleau, Ian Dimerman, David Gross
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interest
Sports
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, EN Subtitles, FR CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne/Criterion
New Waterford Girl
Lou is as extroverted and impulsive as Moonie is shy and withdrawn, and soon their unlikely friendship starts turning the town upside down. Lou wins over the local girls by punishing their two-timing boyfriends, while Moonie plans a new life in NYC. Hilarious and exuberant, New Waterford Girl paints a touching picture of coming of age in a small town.
The film was nominated for seven Genie Awards.
Director
Allan Moyle
Director, screenwriter and actor Moyle wrote the seminal Canadian films Montreal Main and The Rubber Gun, and directed the latter. His film credits also include Times Square, Pump Up the Volume, Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story and Weirdsville. He most recently directed the documentary How Sweet It Is.
Writer
Tricia Fish
Cast
Liane Balaban, Andrew McCarthy, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Nicholas Campbell, Mary Walsh
Producers
Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
ESL, Family Relationships, Sports, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Versions
FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne/Criterion
Men with Brooms
When Chris Cutter (Gross) returns to his small hometown to bury his former curling coach, he is inspired to reunite the old team and try to win the Golden Broom. Nothing has been the same in town since Chris’s departure 10 years earlier — Chris’s old teammates and his own father (Nielsen) are disappointed in life, and the coach’s daughters Amy (Parker) and Julie (Nolden) have become, respectively, a drunk and an astronaut. Despite the odds, the rag-tag group of misfits unites to compete in the championship, with heartwarming and hilarious results.
Director
Paul Gross
Gross starred in the hit TV series Due South and Slings & Arrows. He directed, wrote and starred in Men With Brooms, which won a Canadian Comedy Award, as well as Hyena Road and Passchendaele, which won a Genie for best film. Gross also starred in the mini-series Alias Grace and Caught, the series Tales of the City and Y: The Last Man, and the films Falling and The Middle Man.
Writers
Paul Gross, John Krizanc, Paul Quarrington
Cast
Paul Gross, Leslie Nielsen, Molly Parker, Michelle Nolden, The Tragically Hip
Producer
Robert Lantos
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Interest
Sports
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Les Boys (The “Boys”)
Stan (Girard), the very likeable tavern owner and hockey coach, allows himself to run up a huge gambling debt to Meo (Lebeau), the local Mob boss.
Meo offers Stan a deal: If his pub's team, Les Boys, can defeat Meo's band of thugs at a game of hockey, the tavern remains his. If not, the Mob will take over Chez Stan. Naturally, Les Boys, an out-of-shape group of hockey enthusiasts, are highly motivated to win the game. How they go about doing so, however, is a slapshot of laughs.
Director
Louis Saïa
Montreal director/actor/writer Saïa is known for his trilogy Les Boys I, II and III, each of which won the Golden Reel Award for biggest box-office gross in Canada. Saïa’s TV directing credits include the French-language Vice caché, Max Inc. and the Les Boys television adaptation, as well as the feature Dangerous People.
Writers
Louis Saïa, Christian Fournier
Cast
Marc Messier, Rémy Girard, Patrick Huard
Producers
Richard Goudreau, Jeffrey Tinnell
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Interests
Classics, Sports
Original Language
French
Language Versions
EN Dub, EN Subtitles
Canadian Distributors
Lionsgate Home Entertainment, eOne
Sarah préfère la course (Sarah Prefers to Run)
Sarah (Sophie Desmarais) is a gifted young runner whose life changes when she’s offered a spot at McGill – far from her suburban life near Quebec City. But when her fearful mother refuses to give her financial support, Sarah marries her best friend Antoine (Jean-Sébastien Courchesne) in an attempt to qualify for the best scholarships, and they set out for Montreal on their own.
Antoine has feelings for Sarah, but it soon becomes clear that the only thing she truly loves is running. This assured feature-length debut from Robichaud is an unusual coming of age story and a heartfelt and subtle drama about an introverted protagonist’s late-blossoming sexuality.
After its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the Women in Film & Television Artistic Merit Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
“What makes Sarah Prefers to Run so touching is that we're not quite sure what the resolution will be for Sarah. She isn't, either. But she just keeps running.” – Tim Grierson, Paste Magazine
Director
Chloé Robichaud
Writer
Chloé Robichaud
Cast
Sophie Desmarais, Jean‑Sébastien Courchesne
Producers
Chloé Robichaud, Fanny-Laure Malo
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
Female Filmmaker, Sports
Original Language
French
Canadian Distributor
Les Films Seville