In Nosisim, Sonya Ballantyne learns of her grandmother’s traumatic past through a drawing titled ‘Virginia and Gladys’ by famed Indigenous artist Daphne Odjig. This masterful rendition of Sonya’s grandmother and mother, Virginia and Gladys George, was done shortly after they were forced from their home due to a manmade hydroelectric dam.
PG
Roots Of Lacrosse
Many lacrosse players and coaches often don’t know that the origins of the game of lacrosse has its roots in North American Indigenous nations.This short documentary provides a brief history of the sacred and cultural aspects of this sport, originally played for the Creator, as well as for the health and welfare of the people. The movie also defines the three types of North American, Indigenous lacrosse: Iroquois, Great Lakes, and Southeastern.
Farewell Symphony
After Yang Yang defies her family’s gender expectations, their conservative values and migrates to the United States, she lives a life as an accomplished musician in America. Decades later, however, when her longtime partner’s health condition worsens, it makes Yang Yang rethink her future career plans.
Balikbayan: From Victims To Survivors
An epic journey of a Filipino-Canadian, who made a promise to his late father to return annually to the Philippines since 2006, inspired a life-changing mission of leading a group of Canadians determined to empower traumatized street children in the devastating wake of Typhoon Yolanda. It is an inspiring story about hope and resilience: from the streets to the basketball courts, from public begging to public performance, and from being insignificant to being part of a loving, surrogate family.
Lift, Spur
With rodeo in their blood, two brothers and and their best friends from rural Saskatchewan spend the summer on the competitive circuit, supporting each other through success and failure. But life will soon change as their group’s leader leaves for college. Lift, Spur explores the meaning of friendship in times of transition, and the sometimes excruciating process of growing up and into oneself in a changing world.
Fotdella
Fotdella follows Canadian street musician Ryan Baer – influenced by San Francisco one-man-band legend Jesse Fuller – as he constructs instruments from salvaged junk and performs in markets, beach towns and underground spaces. Drifting from Lake Huron to Berlin, the film captures the solitudes and celebrations of nostalgic touring musicians who recycle 20th century blues, jazz and folk cultures.