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I Empower as a Mother film image, co-directors Inder Nirwan and Dani Barker

I Empower as a Mother

World Premiere

Patricia Massy, the founder and director of Massy Arts Society and co-founder of Indigenous Brilliance collective, shares aspects of her life, work, and business, Massy Books.

 

Supported by

Media Partner

Community Broadcast Partner

Community Partner

Directors
Cast

Patricia Massy

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2022

Language

English

Film Contact
G
11 min

Featured in:

Heartbeat of a Nation film image

VIFF Short Forum: Program 5

Growing up is hard to do, often harder as we get older.

 

MORE INFO

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Based on naturalist Helen MacDonald's memoir (scripted by Emma Donoghue), H is for Hawk follows Helen (Claire Foy), who, after the sudden death of her father embarks on an intense relationship... with a goshawk.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

2026 Oscar® Shorts (Live Action)

Dir. Various
119 min

This year's contenders in the Live Action category include comedies, drama, an experimental musical, and a dystopian fantasy; films from the UK and the US, France and Israel.

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Sirât

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115 min

A desperate father (Sergi Lopez) searchers for his missing daughter through the spiritual wasteland of the Moroccan desert. An unforgettable sensory powerhouse, Sîrat will have you riveted and rattled for hours after the end credits have rolled.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

2026 Oscar® Shorts (Documentary)

Dir. Various
157 min

Don't come to the program of Oscar®-nominated documentary shorts for escapism. But let's talk about the Canadian contender, Perfectly a Strangeness, featuring an abandoned observatory and three donkeys. More of this, please.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Emergence: Women in the Storm

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Stories of resistance and recovery, courage, creativity and community in the face of the climate emergency gleaned from women first responders and those impacted in Western Canada, particularly Lytton and the Fraser Valley.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

2026 Oscar® Shorts (Animated)

Dir. Various
83 min

The nominees for Best Animated Short Film include The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a fable from Canadian filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, narrated by Colm Feore.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Credits

Executive Producer

Christine Pilkington

Producer

Jennifer Wint

Screenwriter

Inder Nirwan, Dani Barker

Cinematography

Inder Nirwan, Gerald Situ, Mitch Francis

Directors

Dani Barker headshot, I Empower as a Mother co-director

Dani Barker

Dani Barker has been producing projects for over a decade. She’s developed series for TBS and OUTtv, produced a feature film, and directed four short films. As a professional actress and filmmaker, she is committed to the craft of exploring the humanity behind every story and helping people feel comfortable on camera.

Inder Nirwan headshot, I Empower as a Mother co-director

Inder Nirwan

Inder Nirwan is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a vested interest in stories about the interconnections between people and places. His list of credits is in the hundreds, having worked on countless impact campaigns and online engagements for purpose-led brands and leading non-profit organizations.