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Canada
In this light-hearted tale set in the 70s, Jesse James Miller (Uganda Rising, VIFF ’06) introduces us to the tumultuous world of 11-year-old Redwood, who is only one shot away from defeating Jack Nicklaus at the Masters, freeing his father from jail and reuniting his parents forever. Or so he thinks.
Six men in two rowboats. The middle of the ocean. Limited food and drink, no bearings, the threat of slow death. From this spare premise director Shandi Mitchell has crafted a superb film. Lost at sea, the hearts of men are in conflict with implacable, indifferent nature.
Has something like this ever been done before? Take Canadian film legend Nell Shipman’s silent Klondike adventure film The Grub-Stake, create dialogue completely taken from the works of William Shakespeare and write a new musical score. And then have a cast of actors and musicians speak the words and play the notes as live accompaniment to the film! First performed at the Available Light Film Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon, this is truly a Special Presentation.
A woman embarks on a journey through an unfamiliar urban landscape, searching for something she cannot name.
This energetic doc follows two young Indian women: a Hindu fundamentalist and a beauty pageant contestant. While each vies for her place in a male-dominated society, both are circumscribed by the very life-paths that claim to liberate them. Director Nisha Pahuja asks: What does the future hold? Winner, Best Documentary Feature, Tribeca; Best Canadian Documentary, Hot Docs.
James Cullingham’s compelling biographical documentary expresses the "blind" vision and phenomenal talent of the steel-string guitar virtuoso and iconoclast John Fahey. Pete Townshend calls him the folk guitar equivalent of William Burroughs or Charles Bukowski. You decide. Plays with: Tintico’s Afternoon
At an age when most people are clueless and carefree, talented young Marika Bournaki was embarking on a prestigious career as a concert pianist. But was this wunderkind truly born to perform? Director Bobbi Jo Hart follows Marika over eight years of adventure and self-discovery. This film has been classified so that those under 18 may attend. Classification: PG—coarse language.
After their plans to adopt a baby are thwarted, Cathy and Martin decide to adopt five Ukrainian siblings—at any cost. The real journey begins when, after several years, they succeed. Director Julia Ivanova confronts the complicated aftermath of an international adoption in this moving documentary.
Clara is the reluctant new owner of her deceased aunt’s dog. Little does she know, they will form an unlikely but empowering friendship.
A champion scale modeler takes us into the idiosyncratic world of scale-model building.
In a tightly knit Cree community, 16-year-old Alyssa’s plans to become a mom begin to unravel.
A young couple tries to pick up the pieces of their home—and their relationship—in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
On an expedition organized by the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, 50 artists banded together to protest the Northern Gateway project—proposed by Enbridge and its international partners—by taking up paintbrushes and carving tools to create works depicting the fragility of our western coastline. Cameron Dennison captures this inspiring act of social and artistic protest.
Director Andy Keen shot a movie once, in somebody’s hometown. The Tragically Hip wrote a song about that town, and it became an anthem. This well-paced Tragically Hip concert film brings you to the farmer’s field in Ontario cottage country where everybody sings along…
Riding on a motorcycle with Jeff, time is suspended. When the trip ends, Nydia waits for Jeff to return.
USA, Canada
Newly released from prison, Francine (the restrained yet devastating Melissa Leo) remains isolated and detached, incapable of easing back into society. Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky craft "a minimalist, image-based character study that is almost impossibly fragile and yet emotionally robust… Raw, intimate and observed with penetrating acuity."—Hollywood Reporter
As Haida Gwaii’s residents gather and prepare food for the winter, Benjamin Greené celebrates their sacred relationship with the land and praises their vital environmental stewardship. Rhythmic and sensitive, Greené’s film gradually assumes the form of a ceremonial prayer: poetic, lilting and magical. With Nangchen Shorts, three new short films by Bari Pearlman documenting life in Tibet—at elevation 14,000 feet. Plays with: Nangchen Shorts
Canada, France
Director Denis Côté weaves together beautiful, haunting and disquieting images in this filmic essay. Close, lingering observations of animals in an open-air zoo are both heavy with emotion and intriguing to watch. The result is a fascinating meditation on nature, civilization and human perception.
Canada, Norway
A reserved and sensitive boy sees the world through the eyes of his mischievous imaginary friend. As adolescence approaches, a foreboding shadow is cast on their friendship.
