Region: NS
- Own Voice
The Spirit of Annie Mae
Annie Mae Pictou Aquash was a 30-year-old Nova Scotia-born Mi’qmaw woman and a prominent figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM) until her life was tragically cut short in 1975, when she was brutally murdered in South Dakota. Decades later, as the crime remains unsolved, her friends and family reflect on her life and what she meant to each of them.
While remaining an intimate portrait of a loving mother and friend, The Spirit of Annie Mae also chronicles the history of AIM, and ways in which the government sought to destroy it from within.
Director
Catherine Anne Martin (Mi’kmaw)
Writer
Angela Baker
Producer
Kent Martin
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker, History, Indigenous Filmmaker, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
NFB
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire
Dallaire attempted to stop the killing by alerting the world through the United Nations and the international media. Though his attempts were unsuccessful, Dallaire emerged as a hero. Ten years later, Dallaire returns to Rwanda to personally commemorate the anniversary of that holocaust.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005.
“Dallaire is not only the protagonist of Shake Hands with the Devil, he is a compelling reason to see it.” — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Director
Peter Raymont
Raymont has produced and directed over 100 documentaries, which have earned more than 50 international awards. His producing credits include West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson, Guantanamo’s Child: Omar Khadr and Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. He recently directed the doc Margaret Atwood: A Word after a Word after a Word is Power, and produced Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, which premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writer
Roméo Dallaire
Producers
Linda Lee Tracey, Peter Raymont
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Biography, Discrimination, Global Experiences, History, Literary Adaptation, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
White Pine Pictures
There’s Something in the Water
Elliot Page brings attention to these injustices in her home province of Nova Scotia in this urgent documentary about women fighting to protect their communities, their land, and their futures.
Page travels to rural areas of the province that are plagued by toxic fallout from industrial development, discovering that these catastrophes have been precisely placed, all in remote, low income — and very often Indigenous or Black — communities. As the filmmakers observe, your postal code determines your health.
Directors
Elliot Page, Ian Daniel
Producers
Elliot Page, Ian Daniel, Julia Sanderson, Ingrid Waldron
Genre
Documentary
Interests
Environment, Global Experiences, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
Giant Pictures
Werewolf
The difficult existence of a pair of homeless drug addicts is shown with harsh honesty and surprising sensitivity in McKenzie’s highly acclaimed debut feature. Shot almost entirely in close-ups that capture the disorienting world these characters inhabit, McKenzie teases out intimate and intense performances that inspire empathy as well as concern.
Werewolf’s stark filmmaking never romanticizes the lives of junkies Blaise (Andrew Gillis) and Vanessa (Bhreagh MacNeil), preferring instead to capture the frustration and futility of their lives with a startling power.
Werewolf won the Toronto Film Critics Association prize for best Canadian film of the year.
“In plumbing the pitch black, Werewolf offers the distinct hope of a brighter future – at least, a brighter future for Canadian cinema.” – Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail
Director
Ashley McKenzie
Writer
Ashley McKenzie
Cast
Andrew Gillis, Bhreagh MacNeil
Producer
Ashley McKenzie
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Female Filmmaker
Original Language
English
Language Version
FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
The Film Distributor
- Own Voice
The Book of Negroes
This CBC mini-series is based on the internationally celebrated novel by Canadian author Lawrence Hill. A compelling tale of loss, courage, love and the triumph of the human spirit, it follows the extraordinary journey of Aminata Diallo (Ellis), an indomitable African woman.
In 1750, 11-year-old Aminata is kidnapped from her village in West Africa and begins a rich journey that takes her through the harrowing ordeal of slavery, to the turmoil of the American Revolution and ultimately to freedom in the British colony of Nova Scotia. Brilliant and determined, Aminata is a remarkable heroine whose unshakeable connection to her own African heritage guides her over unimaginable obstacles in her quest for freedom and ultimately allows her to assume the mantle of leadership for which she is destined.
Deeply moving and inspiring, The Book of Negroes explores painful historical realities through the unblinking eyes of a strong female protagonist whose story will stay with you long after the telling.
Director
Clement Virgo
Virgo rose to prominence with his first feature, Rude, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered two Genie nominations. He has also directed the films Poor Boy’s Game and Lie With Me, and hit TV shows such as The Wire, Regenesis and The Listener. He recently produced the show Greenleaf and directed episodes of Empire and Billions. His most recent film, Brother, premiered at TIFF 2022.
Writers
Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo
Cast
Aunjanue Ellis, Lyriq Bent, Cuba Gooding, Jr, Ben Chaplin, Allan Hawco
Producers
Damon D'Oliveira, Clement Virgo
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, History, Literary Adaptation, Social Justice & Politics
Original Language
English
Maudie
The fragile but determined Maudie (Sally Hawkins) yearns for independence from her over-protective family and dreams of creating art. When she answers an ad for a housekeeper placed by a reclusive fish seller (Ethan Hawke), she gains more than just the freedom she wanted, as the unlikely pair develops a relationship that is intensely intimate and just as challenging.
A touching and inspiring story about following one's dreams in spite of life's obstacles, Maudie is an absolute charmer.
"Maudie breaks your heart with its infectious positivity." - Tomris Laffly, Time Out
Director
Aisling Walsh
Walsh’s previous projects include feature films The Daisy Chain and Song for a Raggy Boy, as well as directing over a dozen TV movies and shows, including Room at the Top, which won a BAFTA for Best Miniseries, and the TV movies A Poet in New York and An Inspector Calls. She most recently made the TV movie Elizabeth Is Missing. Next she will be directing Ethel’s Orchestra and producing The Ballroom.
Writer
Sherry White
Cast
Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke
Producers
Mary Young Leckie, Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke
Genres
Drama, Romance
Interests
Arts and Culture, Biography, ESL, Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, History, Strong Female Leads
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media/Criterion
Margaret’s Museum
As she mourns her losses, Margaret meets and falls in love with Neil (Russell), a bagpipe player who is just as disdainful of the local industry as she is. While Neil vows to find work outside of the mines, it proves tragically difficult for the couple to escape the realities of living in a mining community.
This critically acclaimed adaptation — featuring Genie Award–winning performances by Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Nelligan and Kenneth Welsh — is emotionally intense and deeply affecting.
Director
Mort Ransen
Writers
Sheldon Currie, Gerald Wexler, Mort Ransen
Cast
Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Nelligan, Clive Russell, Kenneth Welsh
Producers
Steve Clark-Hall, Mort Ransen, Christopher Zimmer, Claudio Luca
Genre
Drama
Interest
Literary Adaptation
Original Language
English
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Trailer Park Boys: The Movie
Ricky’s girlfriend, Lucy (Lucy Decoutere), has run off, and in between his efforts to win her back, he’s also planning the boys’ biggest heist yet: a haphazard plot that finds him enlisting the help of his nerdy friend Bubbles (Smith).
Following a television series beloved by millions on both sides of the border, Trailer Park Boys: The Movie dishes up more hilarity for fans and newcomers to Dartmouth alike.
Director
Mike Clattenburg
Writers
Mike Clattenburg, Robb Wells
Cast
Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay, Mike Smith, Hugh Dilllon, Lucy DeCoutere
Producers
Mike Clattenburg, Barrie Dunn, Michael Volpe, Ivan Reitman, Tom Pollock
Genres
Action/Adventure, Comedy
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Dub, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne/Criterion
- Own Voice
Wildhood
This remarkable second feature from Bretten Hannam follows two-spirit Mi’kmaw teenager Link (Lewitski) on a remarkable journey of self discovery set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Annapolis Valley. After finding out that his estranged mother may be alive, Link and his brother (Winters-Anthony) escape from their abusive father and set out to find her, helped along their way by Pasmay (Odjick), a young drifter who helps Link come to terms with his newfound sexuality.
Adapted from Hannam’s award-winning short film Wildfire, this realistic coming of age story is full of hope, love and heartbreak, and is a bold addition to the new wave of Indigenous filmmaking.
“Brettan Hannam's glorious first feature catapults him into the pantheon of filmmakers to watch.” – Frank J. Avella, Edge Media Network
Director
Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Writer
Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Cast
Phillip Lewitski (Mohawk), Joshua Odjick (Algonquin/Anishinaabe), Avery Winters-Anthony, Michael Greyeyes (Plains Cree)
Producers
Gharrett Patrick Paon, Julie Baldassi, Bretten Hannam (L'nu)
Genre
Drama
Interests
BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker, LGBTQ2S+
Original Languages
English, Other Language
Language Version
None
Canadian Distributor
Mongrel Media/Criterion
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
- Own Voice
The Hanging Garden
A challenging, evocative and artful drama about coming to terms with one’s past, one’s family and one’s identity. The Hanging Garden explores how the choices we make can affect the future — for us, and for those whose lives we touch.
“The heart of the movie is its insight into the way families are haunted by their own history.” — Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times
Director
Thom Fitzgerald
Writer
Thom Fitzgerald
Cast
Chris Leavins, Kerry Fox, Sarah Polley, Joan Orenstein, Seana McKenna
Producers
Thom Fitzgerald, Louise Garfield, Arnie Gelbart
Genre
Drama
Interest
LGBTQ2S+
Original Language
English
Language Versions
EN CC, FR Subtitles
Canadian Distributor
eOne
Goin’ Down the Road
Director
Donald Shebib
Writers
William Fruet, Donald Shebib
Cast
Doug McGrath, Paul Bradley, Jayne Eastwood, Cayle Chernin
Producer
Donald Shebib
Genre
Drama
Interest
Classics
Original Language
English
Language Version
EN CC
Canadian Distributor
eOne