Yorkton Film Festival 2021 Program

2021 SPONSORS

silver partners

event partners

bronze partners

GOLD PARTNER

PLATINUM PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

May 27 – 30, 2021

EVENT DONORS

supporter

AWARD PARTNERs

Legacy

YORKTON FILM FESTIVAL 49 Smith Street East, Yorkton, Saskatchewan S3N 0H4 Tel: 306.782.7077 Fax: 306.782.1550 Email: info@yorktonfilm.com Web: www.yorktonfilm.com

@yorktonfilm Design by Pink Kloud | pinkkloud.com

Printed by Parkland Printers Ltd.

WELCOME Welcome to the Yorkton Film Festival, North America’s longest running film festival.

For 74 years, the Yorkton Film Festival has endeavored to highlight and reward the very best in Canadian content.

From Animation to Scripted, Fiction to Non-Fiction, Lifestyle to Mental Health, the Yorkton Film Festival has been a showcase for Canadian content and has established itself as the Big City Festival with a country attitude.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, an industry insider, or a fan of great Canadian cinema we invite you to take in the virtual events and immerse yourself in everything the Festival has to offer.

CONTENTS 2

MESSAGES

10

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

11

CATEGORIES

16

FILM SUBMISSIONS

56

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1

MESSAGES HIS HONOUR THE HONOURABLE RUSS MIRASTY Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Welcome to North America’s longest running film festival! Established in 1947, the Yorkton Film Festival has an impressive history and we are proud that Saskatchewan is the home of this national event. I am grateful to the staff, board, volunteers and partners who are continuing this celebration on a virtual platform this year. Film is a powerful medium of communication, education and inspiration. Thank you for giving Canadian filmmakers this valuable opportunity. I congratulate everyone who has an entry in this year’s festival; thank you for enriching our lives through film. Please accept my best wishes for a successful and enjoyable festival.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JUSTIN TRUDEAU Prime Minister of Canada I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 2021 Yorkton Film Festival (YFF). Now in its 74th year, this event provides a platform for emerging and established Canadian filmmakers to showcase their talent and share their stories. I am certain that everyone in attendance will be entertained and engaged by the diverse selection of films being screened this year. It continues to be a challenging time for planning and hosting events. That is why I would like to thank the festival organizers for their hard work and dedication in ensuring this year’s edition of the Yorkton Film Festival could still take place. You can take pride in your commitment to promoting and supporting Canadian filmmakers. Please accept my best wishes for a memorable experience.

THE HONOURABLE SCOTT MOE Premier of Saskatchewan On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2021 Yorkton Film Festival (YFF). Since 1947, the YFF has been encouraging filmmakers to produce some of the best original Canadian documentaries and short films. Proud to be the longest running film festival in North America, YFF is committed to bringing filmmakers and Canadian audiences together; undaunted by our unprecedented circumstance. In addition to providing great entertainment for film enthusiasts, this annual event provides valuable networking opportunities for filmmakers and industry representatives. And, through the Best of Fest Tour, YFF expands the audience by offering DVDs for home viewing. The Golden Sheaf, now produced at a foundry in Pense, and other awards honour the dedication and creativity of our talented Canadian artists and lend important recognition to their work. Best wishes to all the entrants and congratulations to the award recipients. Thank you to the YFF Board of Directors, staff, partners, adjudicators, volunteers and participants for your generous support of this iconic festival. Best wishes for a memorable event.

THE HONOURABLE LAURA ROSS Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport It is true we are living in remarkable times, and it will take time and reflection to put our shared experience into perspective. Filmmakers have been doing just that for over a century, and the Yorkton Film Festival has been celebrating the art form and its creators for more than 74 years. Through Creative Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan supports a range of creative sectors, including film and television production, emerging screen producers, as well as music, galleries, craft, digital and theatre. Funding also supports music industry events and film festivals including the wellknown event in Yorkton. Although this year the entire Festival will be virtual, it will still be capped-off on Saturday evening by the online Awards Gala where this year's Golden Sheaf Award winners will be announced! So welcome to the one and only Yorkton Film Festival – Online for 2021 - Where you’ll see great films and still receive a good helping of the prairie hospitality you’ve come to love.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

MESSAGES THE HONOURABLE GREG OTTENBREIT MLA, City of Yorkton Greetings! As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yorkton, I warmly acknowledge everyone involved with the Yorkton Film Festival. Through nearly seven and a half decades of submissions, screenings and festival activities, these last two years have proven to be especially challenging and have resulted in considerably different formats for this long running affair. Even through all the changes, the organizers are continually finding new ways to connect and honour the cinematographic works submitted. I am proud to say that despite the challenges, some things remain constant. The Yorkton Film Festival is North America’s longest running film festival and is unique to Saskatchewan and Yorkton. The Government of Saskatchewan continues to support the Yorkton Film Festival through SaskTel and SaskCulture, in addition to funding from the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. As always, the Yorkton Film Festival Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Staff, Volunteers, and filmmakers remain passionate for this event. As I stated last year, I look forward to how the artists and creators will be influenced by what is being experienced worldwide. I wish everyone the best and hope that good health and blessings are yours in abundance.

MRS. CATHAY WAGANTALL Member of Parliament, Yorkton-Melville Seventy-four years ago, no one could have imagined the impact or longevity of what has today become North America’s longest running film festival. COVID-19 has caused heartbreak, complication and difficulty for every community. We’ve had to find new ways to continue doing vital things. I commend YFF’s participants and organizers for persisting in the important work of telling, showing and sharing human stories; each one important for its own reasons, each weaving another thread in our intricate national fabric. Once again, I extend my hopes for a memorable Festival and Gala, no matter its format. Thank you to every contributor of time and talent, and all who help make it possible for YFF to continue in 2021. As always, warm congratulations to every filmmaker and Golden Sheaf recipient.

HIS WORSHIP MITCH HIPPSLEY Mayor of Yorkton It is a privilege to welcome all of you, the creative visionaries, contributors & participants to the 2021 virtual Yorkton Film Festival. We in Yorkton, take great pride in supporting and hosting the longest running film festival in North America. The Golden Sheaf Awards is world-renowned in having the greatest of talent and creative minds that truly lead the way in the film industry. This year marks the 74th Anniversary of the awards reflecting the success of the numerous proud volunteers and leaders in our community who are honored to be part of the Golden sheaf Awards. The conversations and memories that stem from the event are pinnacle experiences to all who are involved. Our city’s motto is “Where Good things Happen” and the Golden Sheaf Awards truly exemplifies this motto.

I sincerely hope you will leave with great memories of our landmark festival. On behalf of City Council and myself, we wish you numerous successes in life, but particularly in creating new visual pieces of art for all to enjoy! For that we are truly grateful for your contributions to our world!

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

MESSAGES MR. CLAUDE JOLI-CŒUR Government Film Commissioner & Chairperson, National Film Board of Canada Congratulations to the organizers, filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences who have made the Yorkton Film Festival such a special event. Here in the heart of the Canadian Prairies, you’ve built North America’s longest-running film festival and a world-class film celebration—with passion, hard work and a strong sense of community. Saskatchewan has a strong and diverse creative community, and we’re committed to working with them—to explore the issues that matter to people across the province and audiences everywhere. Happy festival!

MS. CHRISTA DICKENSON Executive Director, Telefilm Canada Telefilm Canada is proud to continue its support of the Yorkton Film Festival especially now as we navigate these extraordinary circumstances. In these new frontiers of digital participation, we must all work together to continue to discover, watch, and celebrate Canadian content creators and the distinct voices that they bring to our screens.

Canadian filmmakers share a remarkable range of stories and characters that surprise, touch and entertain us all, as well as make us laugh and think. Their stories resonate worldwide. Telefilm Canada remains committed to creating opportunities for Canadian talent to connect and collaborate with their peers, both at home and abroad. As a partner of choice, Telefilm Canada is increasing its commitment to diversity and inclusion, so that the stories being told on screen reflect who we are as a nation. On behalf of Telefilm Canada, I want to congratulate the Yorkton Film Festival for its resilience and creativity in finding new and exciting ways to showcase and celebrate Canadian talent. And to all Canadians who continue to demonstrate your appetite and support for our filmmakers and their work, you have our heartfelt thanks. Continue watching Canadian films wherever they are available and tell others to do the same!

MR. JASON AEBIG Chair, SK Arts SK Arts is proud to be a long-term funder of the Yorkton Film Festival through our partnership with SaskCulture and funding from Sask Lotteries. Over the course of a year, organizations receiving operating support from SK Arts reached more than 1.6 million people with their exhibitions, performances and other activities. Our grants create a ripple effect, touching the lives of many more than those who directly receive funding.

It’s been an unusual and challenging year for all of us, and we commend the film festival for finding new ways to connect with artists and audiences. We are proud of the role public support for the arts has had on the success of the festival and its impact on the arts community and the province itself. We hope you enjoy the festival!

5

MESSAGES MR. JAMES INGOLD Chair, SaskCulture Greetings from SaskCulture Inc. After responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in great need of connecting with others and celebrating the cultural vibrancy of our communities. SaskCulture appreciates the work of the Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) for their dedication to bringing the film community together to celebrate the many great artists and contributors in this field. The YFF showcases the best in storytelling through film, and offers industry expertise, networking, and opportunities for creative and cultural inspiration and growth. We also appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the Sask Lotteries. This funding supports many different arts and cultural activities taking place in Saskatchewan, including the Yorkton Film Festival. Sask Lotteries is a fundraiser that enables many non-profit organizations to develop and offer programming and services that contribute to building a culturally vibrant Saskatchewan.

SaskCulture congratulates all nominees for this year’s festival and extends our best wishes to the staff and many volunteers for their dedication to North America’s longestrunning film festival.

MS. VAL CREIGHTON President, Canada Media Fund The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is proud to partner, for the ninth year in a row, with the Yorkton Film Festival. I’m honoured to support what is North America’s longest running film festival. As the festival marks its 74th edition, I commend the dedication and hard work of all those who have contributed throughout the years by providing a space for Canadian content creators to showcase their work and a space for audiences to engage with quality content in our part of the country. Through the challenging times of the global pandemic, the CMF has continued to support Canada’s creative and production communities by ensuring our stories reach audiences, both in Canada and around the world, and on a multitude of screens. I look forward to participating in the festival as we come together, albeit virtually, to celebrate the many past, present and future successes of Canada’s stories.

MS. ERIN DEAN CEO, Creative Saskatchewan On behalf of Creative Saskatchewan, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Yorkton Film Festival. Although we’re not able to experience the festivities in person, we look forward to the virtual celebration organized by the festival’s dedicated staff and volunteers.

Over the past year people around the world isolated in their homes and found connection through content. Film and television brought comfort and enjoyment to many of us during these very challenging times. While the industry continues to face incredible adversity due to the pandemic, the Yorkton Film Festival offers us an opportunity to pause and to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments from the past year. Creative Saskatchewan is proud to support the Golden Sheaf Awards and we extend our sincere congratulations to all of the nominees.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

MESSAGES KEITH HAYWARD & BRANDICE VIVIER Co-Chairs, Yorkton Film Festival of Canada Welcome to the annual Yorkton Film Festival – founded 74 years ago, making it the longest running short film festival in North America! With the ever-changing content landscape, the staff and Board of the Yorkton Film Festival take pride in ensuring the festival delivers relevant programming at our industry sessions, and programs some of the best short films around. We also take pride in the festival’s enduring legacy and commitment to the film community. The Golden Sheaf Awards allow us to celebrate the many successes of our delegates and are a wonderful promotion of the best screen-based content this country has to offer. The festival also promotes this content throughout the year at screening and outreach programs. The Yorkton Film Festival’s success and distinction as the longest running short film festival in North America would not be possible without the incredible support of the local Yorkton community and district.

Many generous sponsors from within Yorkton’s business community have supported the festival over the last 74 years. The past year has brought many challenges for everyone.

The YFF has faced many challenges over its 74 year history but has always been resilient.

This year is no exception. We are moving forward with a virtual festival that will fulfill our mandate to exhibit the best of Canadian film, albeit in a different format. We look forward to seeing you virtually this May!

RANDY GOULDEN Executive Director, Yorkton Film Festival It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Yorkton Film Festival. Established in 1947, and North America’s longest running film festival, YFF is proud to continue the tradition established by our founders. A festival like ours does not continue for 74 years without the passion and dedication of everyone involved. A monumental thank you to our board members, advisory board, jury committee, jury members and volunteers for all the work you do to make our festival a success. We cannot thank you enough for all that you do to keep us going as North America’s longest running film festival. Especially with the challenges of this last year, we salute everyone for the perseverance in continuing the tradition. I’d also like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of our festival partners; from the local to the national, we are fortunate to have many businesses and organizations who contribute to the success of our festival. Whether they exist within the film industry, or whether they’re supportive of the industry, many have stepped forward and helped us celebrate the best in Canadian short film. And last, but not least, thank you to all the filmmakers who have submitted films to this year’s festival. Our congratulations to all the nominees and recipients of the 2021 Golden Sheaf Awards. Thank you for joining us virtually and here’s to 74 more years of great Canadian short film!

THE GOLDEN SHEAF AWARD The original award given out by the Yorkton Film Council was a people’s choice certificate of merit voted on by the audience. In 1956, one of the first adjudicators, Frank Moriss of the Winnipeg Free Press, suggested that Yorkton should have a grand prize. The wheat fields surrounding Yorkton inspired the idea for “The Golden Sheaf” award. Unanimously approved, the Winnipeg Brass Company designed and produced the first award. Made of metal, the first statues looked like a bouquet of wheat. An engraved metal plaque was used in the 1960s, with a new statue introduced in the 1970s. Jim Trinder of Yorkton designed the bronze sheaf we know today – a symbol of the Yorkton Film Festival and excellence in Canadian Short Film.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS From left to right: Steve Allen Cam Bennett Debbie Hayward

From left to right: Keith Hayward (Co-Chair) Ron Irvine Dana Lesiuk

From left to right: Shelley MacDougall Joanne McDonald Brandice Vivier (Co-Chair)

FESTIVAL STAFF Executive Director Festival Coordinator

Randy Goulden Taynika Walker

HONOURARY PATRONS Festival Ambassador Alan Bailey Her Honour, Madam Justice Nancy Morrison Founding Member, the late Ruth Shaw

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

CATEGORIES ANIMATION 4 North A Eternal Igloo Hop Along Hang On I, Barnabé In the Shadow of the Pines Just For The Record Love Letters from Everest My Pride: The Series Episode One Old Dog RKLSS The Fake Calendar The Music Box Whirlwind

CHILDREN'S/YOUTH PRODUCTIONS All-Round Champion Are You Hungry?

CitizenKid: Earth Comes First Collector Detention Adventure Season 2 "History Repeating" Leo's FishHeads – Leech Gathering Lilly Goes to the Dogs O c'est pour Ottawa!

Pandora Space Kids

COMMUNITY TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS Behind the Melody Behind the Razor Ribbon Facing the Pandemic – The Story of Maple Creek Geoff Phillips – Painter Kiddies Club House Pinoy Talk Prairie Pride Wanuskewin A Celebration –Bison and the Land

DOCUMENTARY ARTS/CULTURE Adventures in Retirement An Object of Merit Beyond Culinary – Ontario Farms Drag Heals Eagle & Hawk Take the Stage Finding the Balance Healing The Nation I'm Gonna Play Loud Je Slame, Tu Slames Meddle North Shore Notes Nuxalk Radio Original Laughter Stitched Glass The Arctics

The Wise Fool Vivi's Vision

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY Changemakers Meet and Eat at Lee's Garden Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story Shadow of Dumont The Day My Job Tried To Kill Me The North Star: Finding Black Mecca Undeniably Young: Nora Young & the Six-Day Race

DOCUMENTARY POV (POINT OF VIEW) After Fact (2020) After the Storm: A Road Trip to Redemption Clydesdale: Saving The Greatest Horse Garden Shark: there are some things dementia can't touch Hart Breaker: Loss, Legacy & Lunacy Jack's Garage Jia Mobile MD: Episode 104 Mobile MD: Episode 201 My Life in Limbo No Road Blocks Just Detours Ode to my Father The Long Today Year Of The Goat

DOCUMENTARY SCIENCE/NATURE/TECHNOLOGY Apollo Giants of the Boreal Forest Grass Farmers Hack your Age Listening To Orcas Reef Rescue Running Wild: The Cats of Cornwall Sovereign Soil Dcoumentary Social/Political (Re)claiming Indian Status Above the Law Captive Company Town Cottagers & Indians Dark Cloud: The High Cost of Cyberbullying Demystifying Cannabis Fast & Dangerous Race To The Bottom In Search of Professor Precarious Kalinga (Care) Pekiwewin Relief & Prayer Camp Saving Minds Suicide: The Hidden Pandemic The Least We Can Do Thirty Eight Minutes

11

CATEGORIES EMERGING FILMMAKERS

EXPERIMENTAL

"fine" A Fairy Tale Above the Law After Fact (2020) After the Storm: A Road Trip to Redemption All-in Madonna An Object of Merit Avocado Toast the series Beer Bowl Beyond Culinary – Ontario Farms Captive Charlie Chocolate Claire de Lune Collector Day by Day Eagle & Hawk Take the Stage Far From Me Follow Leader For A Boy Garden Shark: there are some things dementia can't touch Glass Box Hart Breaker: Loss, Legacy & Lunacy Healing The Nation Hekademia Hop Along Hang On Incantations to the Breeze Jia Kalinga (Care) Kiri and The Girl Lilly Goes to the Dogs Love Letters from Everest Meet and Eat at Lee's Garden Monique's on 4th - The Music Video Mr. Emancipation: The Walter Perry Story No Road Blocks Just Detours Occam's Razor – Short Film 1950s Original Laughter Otanimm/ Onnimm (Daughter/Father) Pressure Play R.O.I. Retributive Minds Sovereign Soil Standstill Stitched Glass Stood Up! Strong Son The Fake Calendar The North Star: Finding Black Mecca The Poo Bag 2 Tomomi on the Farm Undeniably Young: Nora Young & the Six-Day Race Walks XO Rad Magical

2020 A Fairy Tale aen loo pawatamihk Annabel Lee Eidolon Follow Leader Incantations to the Breeze Otanimm/Onnimm (Daughter/Father) Roundup Stood Up! String Theory The Unforgotten The Universe According to Dan Buckley Wave Form Winter Sleep XO Rad Magical

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

INDIGENOUS (Re)claiming Indian Status A Golden Voice aen loo pawatamihk Chocolate Collector Cottagers & Indians Eagle & Hawk Take the Stage Finding the Balance Garden Shark: there are some things dementia can't touch Healing The Nation Hop Along Hang On Kiri and The Girl kwêskosîw (she whistles) Lichen Nuxalk Radio Original Laughter Otanimm/ Onnimm (Daughter/Father) Shadow of Dumont The Fake Calendar The Lord’s Day XO Rad Magical

LIFESTYLE & REALITY Big Brother Canada Intervention Canada Restaurants on the Edge

MENTAL HEALTH 2020 "fine" A Fairy Tale After the Storm: A Road Trip to Redemption At the Back Captive

CATEGORIES Chocolate Dark Cloud: The High Cost of Cyberbullying Day by Day Drag Heals Far From Me Five@50 Follow Leader For A Boy Garden Shark: there are some things dementia can't touch Glass Box Healing The Nation Hop Along Hang On I, Barnabé Inceldom, or why are the angry men angry Ingredients Man May Tell Occam's Razor – Short Film 1950s Ode to my Father One more Chance, Blair Pandora Paramedics: Emergency Response, Season 4 Pekiwewin Relief & Prayer Camp Pressure Play Queer Isolation Receiver Saving Minds Stood Up! Suicide: The Hidden Pandemic The Universe According to Dan Buckley The Wise Fool Tides Vivi's Vision Wave Form We Came From the Sea XO Rad Magical You Will Still Be Here Tomorrow

MULTICULTURAL 30 MINUTES & OVER Above the Law Dark Cloud: The High Cost of Cyberbullying Ends Together From A to Z Meet and Eat at Lee's Garden Mr. Emancipation : The Walter Perry Story Pinoy Talk The Arctics The Least We Can Do The Unforgotten Vivi's Vision Zeen?

MULTICULTURAL UNDER 30 MINUTES 2020 A Fairy Tale A Madness to my Method All-in Madonna

An Object of Merit An Uninvited Guest Behind the Facade: Untold Stories of BC Connecting With Michael Covid and Who I am Now Day by Day Detention Adventure Season 2 "History Repeating" Drag Heals Eternal Igloo Five@50 Follow Leader For A Boy Hekademia Hyphen I Am Here In the Shadow of the Pines Ingredients Jia Just For The Record Kalinga (Care) Lilly Goes to the Dogs Love Letters from Everest Meddle My Life in Limbo NarcoLeap Season 2 O c'est pour Ottawa!

Occam's Razor – Short Film 1950s Ode to my Father Pekiwewin Relief & Prayer Camp Promise Me Queer Isolation Rebel Receiver Retributive Minds Stitched Glass Stood Up! Strong Son The Move: Michaela – Acro The Music Box The North Star: Finding Black Mecca The Poo Bag 2 The Scent The Touched Tomomi on the Farm Watershed What We Do With Witches

PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Midnight Shine – Lonely Boy Monique's on 4th – The Music Video Mountains Porous The Move: Michaela – Acro

13

CATEGORIES RUTH SHAW AWARD (BEST OF SASKATCHEWAN) "fine" aen loo pawatamihk After the Storm: A Road Trip to Redemption Annabel Lee Behind the Melody Connecting With Michael Far From Me Flat Out Food Follow Leader Hannya I'm Gonna Play Loud In the Garden on the Farm Jia Kiddies Club House Mobile MD Eps 104 Mobile MD Eps 201 November 11th Bouquet Occam's Razor – Short Film 1950s Paramedics: Emergency Response, Season 4 Pinoy Talk Porous Prairie Pride Shadow of Dumont Stepping The Abduction Project The Call The Millionaire's Burger Tomomi on the Farm Winter Sleep

SCRIPTED All-in Madonna Avocado Toast the series Devotion Ingredients Kiri and The Girl November 11th Bouquet Promise Me R.O.I. The Millionaire's Burger Zeen?

SERIES All In 3: A Fikowski & Vellner Documentary Battle of the Blades Behind the Facade: Untold Stories of BC Big Timber Blown Away Dancehalls, Deejays & Distortion Five@50 Flat Out Food From A to Z Ice Vikings NarcoLeap Season 2

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Paramedics: Emergency Response, Season 4 Search and Rescue: North Shore Top Chef Canada Wall of Chefs

SHORT SUBJECT- FICTION 58 "fine" A Madness to my Method A Simple F*cking Gesture An Uninvited Guest Beer Bowl Carried Away Charlie Chocolate Claire de Lune Departure Far From Me For A Boy FREYA Glass Box Hekademia Her Coming Imelda 2: The Notary Inceldom, or Why Are the Angry Men Angry Trashed kwêskosîw (she whistles) Murphy's Law Obdurate Occam's Razor – Short Film 1950s One More Chance, Blair Pressure Play Rebel Receiver Red Balloon Retributive Minds So, What Do You Think?

Standstill Strong Son The Abduction Project The Poo Bag 2 The Touched Tides Tintype Tsunami Falls Watershed We All Dream We Came From the Sea What We Do With Witches You Will Still Be Here Tomorrow

SHORT SUBJECT- NON-FICTION A Golden Voice At the Back Canada’s a Drag: Rose Butch, Vancouver Connecting With Michael

CATEGORIES Covid and Who I am Now Day by Day In the Garden on the Farm Lichen Love in Quarantine Stepping Thanadoula The Pilgrimage Tomomi on the Farm Walks

STUDENT PRODUCTIONS Bad Omen Beyond the Void Ends Together Fruits of Labour Glad You're Here Hannya Hawkers Hyphen I Am Here

I Do, but I Don't Judgement Day Looking Back Man May Tell Mathilde and the Love Room Mazzarello Middle of Nowhere Muse Room Pandemic Minds Paper Kingdoms Patchwork Hero Planted in 2020 Queer Isolation Sensory Stranded TRIBAL The Call The Campaign The Last Time You Made Me Breakfast The Lord’s Day The Scent What Comes Next

aptn.ca

Proud to support the Yorkton Film Festival & Golden Sheaf Awards

15

FILMS DARK CLOUD: THE HIGH COST OF CYBERBULLYING

Documentary Social/Political 00:49:00 D: Holly Dupej, Mathew Embry P: Mathew Embry, Ravinder Minhas Eight years after the tragic suicide of Amanda Todd, her mother continues to campaign for awareness about cyberbullying and hopes to help other parents protect their kids from the ubiquitous threat of digital dangers.

"FINE"

Short Subject – Fiction 00:11:44 D: Lynette Piper P: Lynette Piper A hyper-efficient new mum in her thirties unwittingly descends into post-partum depression, exacerbated by a colicky infant.

During a moment of extreme fatigue, she abandons her baby on a park bench in the cold of winter before realizing she needs to reach out for help.

(RE)CLAIMING INDIAN STATUS Documentary Social/Political 00:31:01 D: Lese Skidmore P: Lese Skidmore

This documentary digs into the stories of Indigenous women and families to reclaim their Indian Status through their fight for the elimination of sex-discrimination in the Indian Act. It highlights the impacts of the law on individuals, families and communities. Since the passing of Bill S-3 and its amendments, thousands of Indigenous people are now eligible for Indian Status.

2020

Experimental 00:20:02 D: A.P Nkunzi P: A.P Nkunzi In 2020, humanity is facing one of the biggest pandemics of our time with COVID-19 while another pandemic is on the horizon. We take a look into the personal life of Sharma, a black psychologist who is now forced to confront her own suppressed emotions as

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

tensions rise and the issue of race is pushed to the forefront.

4 NORTH A

Animation 00:10:53 D: Jordan Canning , Howie Shia P: Annette Clarke A woman sits in a hospital room, alone with her dying father. As the constant din of antiseptic hospital noises pushes her to confront her inevitable loss, she escapes into a series of lush childhood memories.

58

Short Subject - Fiction 00:08:35 D: Erik Junnola P: Erik Junnola Proof of concept for feature screenplay 58.

An older man named Christopher Blair writes a movie about his past as a greaser in 1958 and the adventure that he and his friends went through when a close friend, Joey Odell, goes missing.

A FAIRY TALE

Experimental 00:10:39 D: Angeliqa Devi P: Gaby Ford, English Theatre of Rome, World Citizen Film Once upon a time there was a little girl. A little girl who was not quite like the others. A little girl who, one wintry night, armed with a torch and a toy, seeks to save her family from the terrible dragon sleeping in the recesses of their home.

A GOLDEN VOICE

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:05:30 D: Patrick Shannon, Jenn Strom P: Jenn Strom, John Bolton An imaginative take on the origin story of one of BC's most iconic Haida artists.

FILMS A MADNESS TO MY METHOD Short Subject - Fiction 00:05:42 D: Aris Tyros P: Aris Tyros

In a method acting performance that gives Daniel Day Lewis and Robert De Niro a run for their money, Jemma is sent into a paranoid spiral with the only hope of salvation coming from a salt shaker full of cocaine and her eight-pound dog, Gummy.

A SIMPLE F*CKING GESTURE

Short Subject – Fiction 00:08:04 D: Jesse Shamata P: Jesse Shamata, Suzan Mazur While stuck in traffic, emotions escalate for a husband and wife when another driver doesn’t give them a thank-you wave after they cut in. Comparing him to a symbol of all that is wrong in the world, they are terrified when he pulls over to confront them. A Simple F*cking Gesture is a darkly comic critique of society.

ABOVE THE LAW

Documentary Social/Political 00:44:00 D: Robinder Uppal, Marc Serpa Francoeur P: Geoff Morrison, Robinder Uppal, Marc Serpa Francoeur In the midst of a global uprising against police brutality and systemic racism, Above the Law examines a deeply troubled police department and reveals the devastating consequences of unchecked police brutality.

Despite its relatively low crime rates, recent years have seen the Calgary Police Service shoot and kill more people than officers in any other Canadian city, and more than either the New York or Chicago police departments in 2018.

ADVENTURES IN RETIREMENT

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:45:00 D: Laura Bombier, Stephanie Weimar P: Ann Shin, Hannah Donegan, Stephanie Weimar 60 is the new 50. Retirees are no longer getting ready to think about choosing a rest home.

Instead, they are seeking out retirement communities that rival vacation resorts and cater to their unique passions, from arts classes and hippie hangouts to partying until dawn. In this film we follow one couple, Deb and Ron, as they are setting out to explore how they want to spend the next chapter in their lives.

AEN LOO PAWATAMIHK Experimental 00:05:30 D: Dianne Ouellette P: Dianne Ouellette

As I walk the land with wolves and buffalo, I reflect on my murdered Cree grandmother, and my colonized ancestors, both human and nonhuman, while honouring their memory.

I also consider the historical near extinction of wolves and buffalo and reflect on the presentday environmental sustainability of these morethan-human beings. aen loo pawatamihk is Michif (Métis language), which means "wolf dream" or "I dream of wolves".

AFTER FACT (2020)

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:54:00 D: Lindsay Fitzgerald P: Lindsay Fitzgerald After Fact (2020) is an unvarnished portrait of real-life news work. A CBC investigator switches between covering an unsolved celebrity-murder story and probing a policy chasm that costs schoolchildren’s lives. A small-city reporter watches colleagues’ desks empty as she fights to believe her job still matters. A tough young City Hall reporter puts a human face to decayed housing. Canada’s first crowdfunded independent journalist covers city council with no other reporters in sight. Filmed over the course of three years during a cataclysmic shift in the business of news, After Fact (2020) documents how the crisis in news is affecting reporters on the ground, and what we all stand to lose in the face of journalism’s decline.

17

FILMS AFTER THE STORM: A ROAD TRIP TO REDEMPTION Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:55:02 D: Darcy Donovan P: Darcy Donovan

After the deaths of his parents, a son fulfills his promise to complete a road trip that remained incomplete for a decade. The adventure would become an unexpected spiritual journey where he would come to face to face with the forces that changed his life forever, and he would come back with a special souvenir.

ALL IN 3: A FIKOWSKI & VELLNER DOCUMENTARY Series 00:21:06 D: S.J. Finlay P: Tyler Hinds, Josh Huculiak

It was a disappointing 2019 year for our favourite Canadian Crossfit athletes, Brent Fikowski and Pat Vellner, due to a new structure of progressive and brutal cuts at the 2019 CrossFit Games. The good news is our all-in heroes have roared back with incredible performances in the 2020 Crossfit Open, led by Pat Vellner’s epic first place finish worldwide. Can these two rivals-turned-buddies carry their newfound momentum into 2020 and find redemption at the Games to bring the Maple Leaf back to the podium? Will they be joined by a new mysterious character to represent the equally impressive women Crossfit athletes?

ALL-IN MADONNA

Scripted 00:12:40 D: Arnold Lim P: Ana de Lara

When 17-year-old Maddie attends public school for the first time, she discovers dark secrets about her father and must reconciler herself with the father she thought she knew, and the father he may actually be.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

ALL-ROUND CHAMPION

Children’s/Youth Productions 00:52:08 D: Graeme Lynch P: Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Steve Sloan, Michael A. Dunn, Andra Johnson Duke, Jim Bell, Marney Malabar Ten of the best teen athletes at the top of their game step outside their comfort zones to compete against each other in all their rivals' sports. In the spirit of good sportsmanship, each athlete mentors and coaches their competitors in their own specialty sport. Aided by worldrenowned sports stars and Olympians, each competitor is scored on skill, sportsmanship and improvement after each challenge and at the end of the series, one hardcore athlete will be crowned the All-Round Champion.

AN OBJECT OF MERIT

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:23:30 D: Amanda Ann-Min Wong P: Amanda Ann-Min Wong A short documentary about a young ceramic artist exploring the Canadian and Korean influences on his functional wares. The film examines themes of cross-cultural identity, beauty in utility, and finding purpose in one's art.

AN UNINVITED GUEST

Short Subject - Fiction 00:03:22 D: Richard B. Pierre P: Richard B. Pierre Three White people and one Black man wordlessly enjoy dinner while in the front yard a dishevelled Black man is brutally assaulted by police. The sounds of his suffering seem to only momentarily distract these strange people from their meal. However, as events outside escalate, one of the guests, the Black man, grows increasingly anxious. As his demeanour changes from numb to responsive, the people around him grow uncomfortable.

FILMS ANNABEL LEE

AVOCADO TOAST: THE SERIES

A poetic interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem.

Ever wondered about your parents' sex life?

Neither did Molly and Elle until coming out and divorce forced them to learn about their parents' new sex-capades.

Experimental 00:03:17 D: Gordon Pepper P: Gordon Pepper

SPACE SUITE APOLLO

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:23:35 D: Tara Hungerford, Eric Hogan P: Tara Hungerford, Eric Hogan, Tracey Mack Space Suite Apollo traces the history of NASAs manned Lunar landing, from Mercury, Gemini to the Apollo Missions that ultimately landed man on the moon. Set to the timeless music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Space Suite Apollo gives viewers an unflinching look at the raw footage that captured the world’s imagination.

ARE YOU HUNGRY?

Children's/Youth Production 00:03:00 D: Allia Janzen P: Kyle Burgess, Allia Janzen Are You Hungry? was written by Calyn Stange, a La Ronge dietitian who grew up in the community and works with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The book, written in 3 different languanges (Cree, Dene, and Michif) for young children promotes the use and preservation of Northern languages.

AT THE BACK

Short Subject - Non-Fiction 00:09:11 D: Gia Milani P: Gia Milani From TIFF Award Winning Director Gia Milani comes a surrealist, stylized, comedic short film about a disliked dead man as seen through the eyes of his equally disliked daughter-in-law. And shoes. A lot of shoes.

Scripted 00:15:00 D: Sam Coyle P: Charlie David

BAD OMEN

Student Productions 00:18:54 D: Salar Pashtoonyar P: Salar Pashtoonyar Kabul, Afghanistan. Pari, an in-house tailor, must find the means to purchase her prescription glasses in order to save her job.

BATTLE OF THE BLADES

Series 00:45:00 D: Sherali Najak P: John Brunton, Lindsay Cox, Mark Lysakowski, Sandra Bezic Hosted by Keshia Chanté and Ron MacLean Battle of the Blades is an exciting series that teams top figure skaters with some of the most daring and versatile hockey stars. These unlikely duos face-off against one another each week in a pairs figure skating performance that tests their technical skills, grace, stamina and showmanship, all while bringing attention to their various Canadian charities. The expert panel of judges this season will offer comments on each pair’s performance and together with the television audience will cast votes for their favourite pair.

BEER BOWL

Short Subject – Fiction 00:03:54 D: Tim Mombourquette P: Tim Mombourquette, Taylor Olson A man looking to drown his sorrows finds himself at an unlikely bar.

19

FILMS BEHIND THE FACADE: UNTOLD STORIES OF BC SERIES 00:24:30 D: Banchi Hanuse, Baljit Sangra, Joella Cabalu, Dave Rodden-Shortt P: Jessica Hallenbeck (Lantern Films)

This ten part series shares untold stories from diverse communities, celebrating individual perseverance and community resiliency.

BEHIND THE MELODY

Community Television Productions 00:28:30 D: Wayne Warren P: Lisa Moen, Wayne Warren An authentic made-in-Saskatchewan show exclusively featuring home grown Saskatchewan talent. Coming from a musical family and background herself, host Lisa Moen shares her passion in celebrating and getting to know the story telling and inspirations "behind the melodies" of local talented artists specifically from the prairies.

BEHIND THE RAZOR RIBBON

Community Television Productions 00:06:42 D: Curtis Anderson P: Curtis Anderson A former correctional officer tells his story of life working at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary though his art.

BEYOND CULINARY – ONTARIO FARMS Documentary Arts/Culture 00:15:36 D: Giulia Frisina P: Giulia Frisina

A new generation of farmers are taking Ontario farming to another level.

BEYOND THE VOID

Student Productions 00:10:18 D: Rafaël Beauchamp P: Rafaël Beauchamp In November 2001, Charles followed Martin, another victim of the AIDS epidemic of the

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

1990s, to the end. Twenty years later, we dive back in.

BIG BROTHER CANADA

Lifestyle & Reality 00:45:00 D: Dave Russell P: John Brunton, Erin Brock, Eric Abboud, Trevor Boris In the ultimate social experiment, Big Brother Canada follows a group of strangers living together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras and microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each week the houseguests compete in a variety of challenges and one by one, the houseguests vote each other out of the house. At the end of the series the last seven evicted houseguests remaining make up ‘the jury’ and they ultimately decide which of the two final houseguests wins the grand prize.

BIG TIMBER

Series 00:44:00 D: Michael Sheehan, Sean Cable, Chris Wayatt, Shawn Viens P: Jesse Fawcett, Robert Hardy, David Freeman Big Timber (10 x 60) follows the dangerous work of logger and sawmill owner Kevin Wenstob as he and his crew go to extremes to keep the family sawmill, and their way of life, alive. Kevin’s logging a remote timber claim high up the steep, rugged slopes of Klitsa Mountain, deep in the majestic heart of Vancouver Island.

BLOWN AWAY

Series 00:27:40 D: Mike Bickerton P: Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Donna Luke, Amy Hosking This ground-breaking competition series returns but this season there’s a twist. Blown Away has gone global! Ten glass artist from around the world gather in North America’s largest hot shop to push themselves to creative extremes in the quest to be named Best In Glass. In each episode the glassblowers must impress a panel of art experts or risk being eliminated.

FILMS CANADA’S A DRAG: ROSE BUTCH, VANCOUVER Short Subject – Non-fiction 00:06:06 D: Josephine Anderson P: Peter Knegt,, Mercedes Grundy, Andrew D’Cruz, Romeo Candido

Vancouver's premier non-binary "drag thing," Rose Butch offers a style and sensibility that channels theatrical dandyism in their pursuit of gender euphoria.

CAPTIVE

Documentary Social/Political 00:59:12 D: Mellissa Fung P: Stuart Coxe Captive is a powerful, personal journey of surviving the physical and psychological pain and trauma of captivity and the toll conflict takes on women and girls. Filmed over four years and several high-risk trips into north eastern Nigeria, writer and director Mellissa Fung meets several brave young women who have escaped imprisonment by Boko Haram and who are now trying to rebuild their lives.

Through their struggles, Fung comes to terms with her own past, confronting the deep trauma she thought she had long buried.

CARRIED AWAY

Short Subject - Fiction 00:14:18 D: Joshua Hinkson P: Joshua Hinkson, Adam Lolacher A pregnancy takes a toll on a troubled relationship.

N.B. There is some strong imagery depicting miscarriages in this film.

CHANGEMAKERS

Documentary History & Biography 00:24:19 D: Tara Hungerford, Eric Hogan P: Eric Hogan, Tara Hungerford, Tracey Mack Changemakers explores BC’s culture of innovation by profiling leading edge thinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, educators and activists who are working to create a better world.

CHARLIE

Short Subject - Fiction 00:10:56 D: Matthew Horvat P: Peter Widdrington Based on a true story, a young man successfully orchestrates a double-ended rental scam until the weight of his own ego compromises everything.

CHOCOLATE

Short Subject – Fiction 00:03:50 D: Charlene Moore P: Charlene Moore Grappling with the paralyzing effects of capitalization and colonialism, Ember finds herself struggling with her responsibility to the next seven generations. Raging against confinement and dispossession she finds her uncompromising power within societal imbalance. Poisoning the ever-hungry belly of corporatization, she explores themes of righteousness, balance, and ethics.

CITIZENKID: EARTH COMES FIRST Children's/Youth Production 00:23:00 D: Stefan Scaini P: Stephen Paniccia

In CitizenKid, four Canadian youth activists, Hannah Alper, Sophia Mathur, Charlene Rocha and Cooper Price set out to show how people can change the world no matter their age. They journey to Toronto, Ottawa, Washington and beyond, to engage with government leaders, fellow climate activists and to learn from an Indigenous Elder.

CLAIRE DE LUNE

Short Subject - Fiction 00:13:34 D: Valérie Lecomte P: Antoine Tapin, Valérie Lecomte After attending a presentation at school, Alex, Claire's son seems disturbed. In seeking to know more about the mysterious speaker, Claire will discover family secrets buried long ago.

21

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

23

FILMS CLYDESDALE: SAVING THE GREATEST HORSE

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:58:00 D: Ian Lilley P: Dugald Maudsley, Gillian Main, Fiona White, Janice Forsyth

One woman’s passionate quest to the Canadian Prairies to rescue Scotland’s Clydesdale horse from the edge of extinction.

COLLECTOR

Children's/Youth Production 00:01:00 D: Kassia Ward P: Maral Mohammadian, Jelena Popović A pair of unlikely travellers encounter a young man on the highway who seems to have forgotten that he can be seen. Collector explores the concept of semi-private spaces and how we act when we forget that we might be being watched.

COMPANY TOWN

Documentary Social/Political 00:52:00 D: Peter Findlay P: Peter Findlay, Amanda Handy, Mark Johnston On the anniversary of General Motors' 100th year of manufacturing vehicles in Oshawa, Canada, the union is forced into a life-anddeath fight to save their members' jobs when the company announces it will be shuttering the plant at the end of the next year.

CONNECTING WITH MICHAEL Short Subject – Non-fiction 00:04:07 D: Stephen Hall P: Randy Shumay

A conversation with well-known Saskatchewan athlete and role model, Michael Linkater, that invites us to hear his story of leadership, dedication, and being the change you want to see in the world.

COTTAGERS & INDIANS

Documentary Social/Political 00:45:00 D: Drew Hayden Taylor P: Paul Kemp, Kurt Spenrath Once upon a time it was Cowboys and Indians.

Now it’s Cottagers and Indians. Indigenous author Drew Hayden Taylor, who also wrote a play of the same name, goes on a cross-country exploration of the current hot-spots, historic conflicts, and peaceful co-existence that can occur when it comes to indigenous water and land rights.

COVID AND WHO I AM NOW

Short Subject - Non-Fiction 00:11:57 D: Diana Dai P: Diana Dai A young Chinese Canadian medical student was attacked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The doc explores Mary’s deep emotional journey and how she struggles with her self identity amid rising anti-Chinese racism during this unprecedented time.

DANCEHALLS, DEEJAYS & DISTORTION Series 00:24:30 D: Carmen Pollard P: Carmen Pollard

Since the early 30’s, British Columbia has procured a vibrant and eclectic music scene, widely known as a good place to test acts before hitting the big stages of Vegas or New York. From the founder of New Age music who performed a concert for a grieving killer whale, to the punk band whose show at Expo ‘86 sparked a riot that led to the cancellation of a whole concert series, Dancehalls, Deejays & Distortion crosses musical genres exploring stories of artists, deejays, and clubs that made British Columbians swing and shout.

DAY BY DAY

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:02:01 D: Emily Pasternak P: Emily Pasternak A mother, a survivor of human trafficking, recounts her struggles to adapt to life following her escape.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

FILMS DEMYSTIFYING CANNABIS

and enjoy the presence of their two loving daughters. But when Marian finds a stash of love letters from an affair George had more than four decades ago, she begins to struggle with her emotions in the present while her husband loses his grip on the past.

The attitude towards cannabis could hinder the success of legalization in Canada. Can we eliminate the black market and protect our youth? To do this, we must first deconstruct the discomfort that surrounds cannabis. This documentary tackles the myths and taboos that characterize this complex plant, and the stigma faced by its consumers.

DRAG HEALS

Documentary Social/Political 00:51:48 D: Greg Nosaty P: Sylvie Peltier

DEPARTURE

Short Subject – Fiction 00:14:42 D: Douglas Gibbens P: Konstantina Mantelos, Douglas Gibbens An irresolute housewife is faced with news that her closest friends have decided to emigrate to Mars. She begins to challenge her husband's idealism about the decaying Earth and must ultimately decide what she is willing to leave behind.

DETENTION ADVENTURE SEASON 2 "HISTORY REPEATING" Children's/Youth Production 00:13:00 D: Joe Kicak P: Joe Kicak

CBC Gem original scripted kids' series returns for a second season. Framed for an epic prank, the now famous Detention Adventure Four – Raign, Brett, Joy, and Hulk – must team up with new ally, Kelly, to hunt for the legendary lost fortune of Ignatius Cockshutt.

DEVOTION

Scripted 00:17:15 D: Matthew Hardstaff, Alex Sikorsky P: Angelo Barovier, Mackenzie Brooks, Matthew Hardstaff, Alex Sikorsky

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:26:08 D: Charlie David P: Charlie David, Philip Webb, Tracey Erin Smith, Nico Stagias Drag Heals is a hybrid stage workshop and documentary TV series that follows eight drag artists over an intensive ten day workshop to build their own show. In each workshop, a guest coach joins stage director Tracey Erin Smith in exploring soul-deep story sharing techniques as well as the unique talents and skills required from a drag performer.

EAGLE & HAWK TAKE THE STAGE

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:24:00 D: Vince Fontaine, Andrew Wall P: Andrew Wall, Kyle Bornais Eagle & Hawk Take the Stage is a 22-minute documentary that explores the world through the eyes of one of Canada's longest running Indigenous bands.

EIDOLON

Experimental 00:03:40 D: Mike Rollo P: Mike Rollo The seer passes beneath branches, crosses fields, observes the quiet corners of creation.

Bright and dark take turns showing their faces, a two-sided phantasm, one energy shapeshifting through time. The seer makes note, gleans eidolons.

Marian and George seemingly had the perfect marriage. Even with George’s latestage Alzheimer's, the elderly couple still manage to share moments of tenderness

25

FILMS ENDS TOGETHER

FAST & DANGEROUS RACE TO THE BOTTOM

This short film deals with overarching themes of reconciliation between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people and explores how cross-cultural barriers can be broken down between the North and South Ends of Winnipeg – distinct areas separated by one of the largest railway yards in the world. Confronting some of Winnipeg's (and Canada's) historical and contemporary complexities, the story follows a day when two boys–despite their differences and society’s perception–form an unlikely friendship.

Fast & Dangerous Race to the Bottom is a richly illustrated critical examination of the perils of international tax competition, the mechanism behind tax injustices, and poses a fundamental question that must be raised publicly: how can an ever more accelerating race to the bottom in taxation and erosion of public finances be reversed?

Student Productions 00:33:38 D: Spencer Bubis P: Spencer Bubis and Lauren Cogan

ETERNAL IGLOO

Documentary Social/Political 00:45:00 D: Brigitte Alepin, Harold Crooks P: TaxCOOP

FINDING THE BALANCE

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:15:00 D: Steve Sxwithul'txw P: Trina Sxwithul'txw

Animation 00:10:30 D: Mostafa Keshvari P: Mostafa Keshvari

First Nations on southern Vancouver Island are working to protect their territorial waters, these young divers are leading the way...finding the balance.

An Inuit boy lives on the last melting igloo due to global warming. He struggles to survive by fishing empty tuna cans and plastic bottles in the polluted North Pole.

FIVE@50

FACING THE PANDEMIC – THE STORY OF MAPLE CREEK Community Television Productions 00:12:53 D: George Tsougrianis, Jackie Kripki P: George Tsougrianis, Todd Snider

Tells the story of how this small community in Saskatchewan overcame substantial obstacles early in the pandemic.

FAR FROM ME

Short Subject – Fiction 00:11:25 D: Levi Mierau P: Levi Mierau, Heather Adrian, Jesse Quiring, Keegan Elliott, Jordan Wendzina While travelling for an undesirable trip with her adult son, a woman finds more than she bargained for in the kindness of strangers, and comes face to face with her own inadequacies.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Series 00:06:18 D: Michèle Pearson Clarke, Tiffany Hsiung, Vivek Shraya, Michael V. Smith, Thirza Cuthand P: Justine Pimlott In 1969, Canada passed Bill C-150 into law, which partially decriminalized homosexuality in Canada. Fifty years later, the NFB presents Five@50, a unique collection of fiveminute shorts reflecting on contemporary LGBTQ2+ lives and identities. These intimate documentaries range from personal reflection to cultural history, and include experimental forms, animation, and dramatization.

FLAT OUT FOOD

Series 00:22:30 D: Adrian Halter P: Adrian Halter, Jenn Sharp Flat Out Food is a six-episode documentary series that traces unique Saskatchewan ingredients from the field (or forest) to the plate, hosted by journalist and author Jenn Sharp.

FILMS FOLLOW LEADER

Experimental 00:06:41 D: Scott Johnson P: Scott Daniel Johnson A vivid exploration of the relationship between toxic male masculinity and the social as well as psychological influences it has had on me growing up through the generations.

FOR A BOY

Short Subject - Fiction 00:14:17 D: Jérémy Légaré, Thierry Sorlini P: Thierry Sorlini, Jérémy Légaré Lulled by light, alcohol and music, an evening with friends will become the beginning of a roaring love between two young men from the magnificent city of Quebec.

FREYA

Short Subject – Fiction 00:16:00 D: Camille Hollett-French P: Kristyn Stilling, Athena Russell Jade considers FREYA (her Federally Regulated Enquiry and Yield Assistant) a friend. But when a one-night stand doesn’t go as planned, Jade is forced to question FREYA and the system she represents. Set in the not-too-distant future, FREYA will make you second-guess your relationship with technology, social media, and The State.

FROM A TO Z

FRUITS OF LABOUR

Student Productions 00:18:18 D: Ophelia Spinosa P: Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, Ophelia Spinosa Interplaying the metaphor of grapes, this fatherdaughter documentary is characterized by the labour of love it is to make wine, but also the labour of love that is love itself.

GARDEN SHARK: THERE ARE SOME THINGS DEMENTIA CAN'T TOUCH Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:27:00 D: Anna Cooley P: Dawn Nagazina

Garden Shark breaks through the hopelessness and loss of a dementia diagnosis by giving people living with dementia and their caregivers a new way to connect and find joy. It explores improv’s ability to teach people to live in the moment, communicate, and learn to laugh in spite of their struggles. Garden Shark highlights couples’ individual experiences and shows how beautifully partners living with dementia respond to the risk free, playful and hilarious environment created by Inside Out Theatre’s Village Improv for Alzheimer’s program.

GEOFF PHILLIPS - PAINTER

Community Television Productions 00:04:56 D: Matt Holland P: Matt Holland

Series 00:40:50 D: Jean Bernard, Heston L'abbé P: Alexa Jade Houle, Maude Choko

See the uplifit work of artist Geoff Phillips and the unique project he undertook during his quarantine.

During Alice’s eulogy at her mother’s funeral, her step-sister Zoe overhears their inebriated uncle spill the beans that Alice’s father did not die when she was a baby but that she is actually the product of her mother’s choice to use an anonymous sperm donor. Hilarious and heartfelt, the two sisters navigate their one-of-a-kind relationship and with the help of Alice’s boyfriend, Lev, a wannabe filmmaker/journalist, embark on a video-documented quest to find her biological father.

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:44:02 D: Michael Sanders P: John Toone, Michael Sanders

GIANTS OF THE BOREAL FOREST

Giants of the Boreal Forest explores our relationship with moose and features rare and incredible encounters filmed by worldrenowned expert Dr. Vince Crichton.

27

CANADIAN FILMS

telefilm.ca/en/seeitall

FILMS GLAD YOU'RE HERE

Student Productions 00:10:00 D: Lisa Kannakko P: Lisa Kannakko This autobiographical short film covers a 19-year history of the filmmakers’ life. It unfolds a traumatic story in a way that captures the viewer and offers transparency and new beginnings. A story about an extreme moment of crisis has turned into a documentary that deals not just with the subjective but with the important issue of spousal abuse.

GLASS BOX

Short Subject – Fiction 00:04:58 D: Chen Hascalovitz P: Chen Hascalovitz Glass Box is a short film which follows a day in the life of Aubrey Turner, a 26 year old female who suffers from Depersonalization Disorder: a poorly understood mental illness which causes the sufferer to feel unreal and detached from themselves and the world around them.

GRASS FARMERS

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:17:32 D: Chad Galloway P: Chad Galloway, Susan Dong Did you know that it’s possible for cattle production to be green? Like, green, green?

As in, carbon sink green? It’s a pretty simple concept called regenerative agriculture that involves making soil health a top priority.

Because healthier soils means healthier grass, healthier cattle and ultimately a much healthier earth.

HACK YOUR AGE

family in the new documentary Hack Your Age. From the Medcan clinic, to cryogenic chambers, and meeting with super-ager Nancy Elsasser, Deedee discovers that growing older isn't so ominous when you can hack your age.

HANNYA

Student Productions 00:04:37 D: Cameron Heo P: Cameron Heo After the death of her mother, Jessica (Lauren Griffin) conjures up an imaginary friend from Japanese folklore, Hannya (Mikaela Braun).

Jessica must learn to leave both her friend and mother behind as she moves ahead in life.

HART BREAKER: LOSS, LEGACY & LUNACY Documentary POV(Point of View) 00:21:00 D: Mike Johnston P: Mike Johnston

Hart Breaker: Loss, Legacy & Lunacy is a short documentary film exploring Mike Johnston's cross-country journey to meet and document the rise and dramatic fall of pro wrestling's weed-dealing, cat-breeding phenom, Ted Hart.

HAWKERS

Student Productions 00:24:57 D: Suleiman Yakub P: Suleiman Yakub and Trevor Grant Hawkers explores the vulnerability of two Nigerian victims of child labour and child abuse, Mariam and Fathia, who are struggling to find a way to survive by hawking on the street for their mother to earn a living. The story also examines how they survive during the COVID-19 pandemic which results in the economic downturn in the city of Ilorin. It also investigates how government is failing to regulate hawking and protect children before and during the pandemic.

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:46:00 D: Hannah Donegan P: Ann Shin Follow Deedee Moscoe on a journey into anti-aging biohacking, super-agers, and

29

FILMS HEALING THE NATION

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:44:22 D: Jack Major, Ernest W. Matton (Elder Little Brown Bear, Athehsa Niohkwá:rita:a) P: Maëlle Marchand, Ernest W. Matton (Elder Little Brown Bear, Athehsa Niohkwá:rita:a) Healing the Nation follows community members of the Toronto-based Aboriginal Healing Program as they rediscover their culture to heal from unresolved trauma. This empowering documentary dares us to think beyond mainstream medicine and embrace traditional ways for overcoming mental health and addiction issues.

HEKADEMIA

Short Subject - Fiction 00:16:00 D: Gloria Mercer P: Gloria Mercer, Aidan West, Andy Wong In the near future, Marion is an isolated teenage girl living in a high rise above the city and dreaming of the forest. Inside a lonely apartment, she struggles to overcome her stifled relationship with her mother.

She enrols in a virtual reality high school, where she befriends another student named Cassidy. But as Marion spends more time at school, she starts to wonder how much is real and how much is part of the simulation.

HER COMING

Short Subject - Fiction 00:13:23 D: Christie Will Wolf P: Christie Will Wolf Featuring climate activist Greta Thunberg and First Nations Matriarch Audrey Seigel.

Her Coming takes us into the future where the planet is ruled and governed by woman, after the male human is decimated from his war on Mother Earth following the mishap of cloning of Jesus Christ into a girl.

HOP ALONG HANG ON Animation 00:04:17 D: Cobra Collins P: Xstine Cook

Hop Along Hang On blends the genres of spoken word poetry, music and animation to explore and acknowledge the deeper history and longterm effects of the removal of culture within Indigenous peoples of Canada. Through the narrator’s personal lens Hop Along Hang On offers a glimpse into the difficulties and trauma surrounding the Sixties scoop and subsequent ongoing hardships faced by Indigenous people who have found themselves on the outside of their culture. Let Rose tell you how she found her way home, in hopes that we can all build a better tomorrow, together.

HYPHEN

Student Productions 00:18:16 D: Laura Kamugisha P: Laura Kamugisha Marie-Chantal’s life is split in two. She has lived half her life in Rwanda and the other half in Canada. She is a political refugee. Hyphen explores the notions of identity, attachments and the concept of ”home”.

I AM HERE

Student Productions 00:20:00 D: Amalia Williamson, Matt Long P: Cameron Thorpe, Donovan Stanley, Katie Leaman, Logan Wagner A young Syrian sister and brother, separated during the civil war, have a chance to be reunited years later through the power of poetry, persistence and friendship.

I DO, BUT I DON'T

Student Productions 00:10:43 D: Marlee Druker P: Marlee Druker A visual essay that explores weddings, marriage, and societal expectations with a look back on a childhood that set up unattainable standards.

31

FILMS I, BARNABÉ

IN SEARCH OF PROFESSOR PRECARIOUS

Confronted with doubt and feelings of emptiness, drunk with unhappiness and seeking to drown his sorrow, Barnabé experiences a curious metaphysical visitation; lightning strikes the spire of his church and a mysterious bird appears, forcing him to reconsider his life. What is his truth pointing him towards?

A documentary in which the director, a longtime precarious contract teacher, lifts the curtain on higher education's dirty little secret. He travels Canada to capture the experience of precarity and the fight against the exploitation of contract faculty in higher ed. The film tells the stories and struggles of a few compelling characters and groups, while examining the issue of precarious work. Subtitles available in English, French, Spanish.

Animation 00:15:09 D: Jean-François Lévesque P: Julie Roy (NFB)

ICE VIKINGS

Series 00:44:00 D: Chris Charney P: Chris Charney, Scott R. Leary, Kyle Bornais, Robert Hardy, Cheryl Binning Ice Vikings takes viewers inside a world never before seen on television: Lake Winnipeg’s commercial ice fishing industry, where descendants of Icelandic Vikings race against time and weather to bring their catch to shore before the ice gives way.

I'M GONNA PLAY LOUD

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:36:12 D: Charity Marsh P: Charity Marsh Research on Girls Rock camps often focuses on the experiences of youth. For this documentary, the lens turns toward the artists, organizers, mentors of Girls Rock Regina, and the impacts the camps are having on the local music scenes in Regina, Saskatchewan.

IMELDA 2: THE NOTARY Short Subject - Fiction 00:13:33 D: Martin Villeneuve P: Martin Villeneuve

Imelda, the amused and incorruptible old lady, is back! This second film takes place eleven years before the first one, in the fall of 2001 in the village of Gentilly where Martin Villeneuve and his older brother Denis grew up.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Documentary Social/Political 00:51:10 D: Gerry Potter P: Gerry Potter

IN THE GARDEN ON THE FARM

Short Subject - Non-Fiction 00:08:43 D: Kristin Catherwood P: Jon Montes, David Christensen As social distancing measures set in during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristin Catherwood moved back to her family’s farm to stay with her widowed father. Spring brings the usual urgency to plant the year’s crops, and Kristin starts thinking about planting her vegetable garden, a garden that brings deep memories of her mother and grandmothers.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE PINES

Animation 00:08:00 D: Anne Koizumi P: Anne Koizumi, Sahar Yousefi In the Shadow of the Pines is an animated short documentary about a difficult father-daughter relationship. Drawing on childhood memories, Anne Koizumi, the filmmaker, explores her upbringing with her Japanese immigrant dad, who was also the janitor at the elementary school she attended. The film explores the idea of shame and how it can shape and define us while also concealing who we can truly become.

FILMS INCANTATIONS TO THE BREEZE Experimental 00:07:40 D: Darcy Blahut P: Carlotta Ferrari

Incantations to the Breeze is a contemplative short that features the contemporary English verse of Darcy Blahut (director and narrator). Inspired by a period of early silent film, and in the vein of neoclassical dark wave electronica, Italian mezzosoprano and multimedia artist Carlotta Ferrari mirrors those minimal compositional elements with an array of originally sung binaural vocalization.

INCELDOM, OR WHY ARE THE ANGRY MEN ANGRY

Short Subject - Fiction 00:11:51 D: Taylor Olson P: Taylor Olson, Peter Sarty, Kirsten Bruce United by a shared hatred for society, Gavin and Steve are about to take their anger to the next level. But when Gavin begins to question their motives, the flaws in their ideology come to light.

INGREDIENTS

Scripted 00:23:00 D: Hannah Michielsen P: Jennifer Haufler In the midst of writers block and the anxiety that comes with it, a young writer finds himself in a situation that blurs the lines of fact and fiction, as he connects with another writer in crisis who has invaded his space, bringing both in intrigue and danger.

INTERVENTION CANADA

Lifestyle & Reality 1:00:00 D: Ryan Marley P: John Brunton, John Murray, Tom Powers Intervention Canada is a docu-series that explores the reality of Canadians whose addictions to drugs and alcohol, among other things, are threatening their lives and destroying their families. Members of families from Halifax to Victoria come together to

execute "ambush of love" interventions in lastditch efforts to save the lives of loved ones who are spiraling out of control.

JACK'S GARAGE

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:35:29 D: Kim Saltarski P: Kim Saltarski, Karen Wookey Jack’s Garage follows the extraordinary journey of one man’s transformation as he discovers the power of cannabis, bringing his body back from death’s door and his life into balance. Now pharmaceutical and cancer free, Jack Kungel has made it his mission to share what he has learned, and has helped hundreds of others and their pets from around the world to transform their own lives. Jack's Garage is the documentary Big Pharma doesn't want you to see.

JE SLAME, TU SLAMES

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:47:00 D: Jean Fugazza P: Jean Fugazza Across Quebec, a growing community is participating in poetry slam evenings. In front of a conquered audience, slammers of all ages, amateurs or professional artists, take the stage and the microphone in a space of total freedom, even if the rules of the game are strict: 3 minutes, no music, no props and 5 judges giving marks. At the end of the league season, the Quebec Grand Slam winner will represent Quebec at the Poetry Slam World Cup in Paris. And Quebec has already won 3 world championship titles. Will the winner of this year's grand slam also win in Paris.

JIA

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:10:00 D: Weiye Su P: Jon Montes A young Chinese-Canadian couple is visiting family in Wuhan, epicentre of the virus, at the very moment the pandemic is declared.

Interviewing his subjects in a novel socially distanced mode, director Weiye Su explores the culturally specific concept of Jia—an idea evoking family or home that acquires sharp new meaning during COVID times.

33

FILMS JUDGEMENT DAY

KIRI AND THE GIRL

When Jennifer brings her robotic boyfriend home to meet the family, it becomes clear the only droid welcome there is the family roomba.

Based on the experiences of Tlingit artist Kiri Geen as she reconnected and reclaimed her Indigenous heritage after her adoption, "Kiri and The Girl" follows young Kiri as she navigates losing her mother and is guided to becoming her true self.

Student Productions 00:11:53 D: Joel Werenich P: Ander Barillas Jr.

JUST FOR THE RECORD

Animation 00:07:01 D: Vojin Vasovic P: Vojin Vasovic, Senka Radivojevic In an abandoned attic, dictaphone robot REC desperately tries to connect to the bird that stops on its window. Using his play button to say something, he finds himself shocked by the content and scares the bird away. He rushes to make her come back, to record over his "own voice" before his battery leaks.

KALINGA (CARE)

Documentary Social/Political 00:28:47 D: Kent Donguines P: Robin Macabulos, Maxime Beauchamp Kalinga tells the story of several Filipino caregivers and nannies in Canada, sharing their struggles and sacrifices to be reunited with their families while helping filmmaker Kent Donguines understand why his mother left him to be a nanny at six years old.

KIDDIES CLUB HOUSE

Community Television Productions 00:28:30 D: Wayne Warren P: Lisa Moen, Wayne Warren A specific tailor made series intended for a child audience. From elaborate costumes, to a bright and cheery set, all the details of this series were thought out to entertain a young viewer. Host Lisa Moen, being a mother of two young children herself, had a vision to create a children's program that would both amuse and charm children tuning in all across Saskatchewan.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Scripted 00:21:32 D: Grace Dove P: Kiri Geen, Christopher Logan, Ken Shapkin

KWÊSKOSÎW (SHE WHISTLES) Short Subject – Fiction 00:12:16 D: Thirza Cuthand P: Sera-Lys McArthur

En route to her girlfriend's place on a night when the Northern Lights are out, a two-spirit nêhiyaw woman is assaulted by her cab driver.

Amidst the struggle, she discovers a deadly supernatural power that may help her solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance.

LEO'S FISHHEADS - LEECH GATHERING

Children's/Youth Production 00:11:00 D: Gloria Kim P: Raj Panikkar (Executive Producer), Chris Szarka (Executive Producer), Karen Hawes (Executive Producer, Creative Producer) Leo’s FishHeads is a science adventure series that explores what is going on under the waves and around the shorelines. Sayat and Christian are passionate about any and all creatures that make water their home. Along with Leo The Catfish they’ll get to know as many aquatic creatures as they can and find ways we can all protect them.

LICHEN

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:12:00 D: Lisa Jackson P: Janine Marchessault, Chris Kroitor Lichen is an otherworldly film that takes a deep dive into a species that confounds scientists to this day. Ancient and diverse, thriving in adversity, lichen is a model of ‘emergence.’ This film reveals the hidden magical beauty of this remarkable life form and asks what we might learn from it.

FILMS LILLY GOES TO THE DOGS

Children's/Youth Production 00:06:00 D: The Bum Family P: Xstine Cook Lilly, a 10-foot tall orange monster, visits a the Victoria Dog Show, but her friend Fluffle gets sequestered in the mutt pen! Will Lilly take Best in Show?

LISTENING TO ORCAS

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:43:00 D: Michael Allder, Yanick Rose, Volker Barth P: Pat Ferns, Fabrice Esteve, Volker Barth

When COVID-19 protocols impose restrictions on human interaction, Millefiore Clarkes seizes the opportunity to reflect on the nature of love itself, juxtaposing her own existential quest with those of a teenager grappling with identity and self-worth in a time of social distancing, and a woman who finds surprising new romance despite pandemic isolation.

LOVE LETTERS FROM EVEREST Animation 00:07:30 D: Celeste Koon P: Shasha Nakhai

A long-distance love story unfolds via letters exchanged during the 1956 Everest expedition.

Since the 1960s, our knowledge of orcas has steadily evolved. This species, once feared as apex predators and “killers of the deep”, are now recognized as extraordinarily intelligent, emotional, and social in ways that are remarkably human-like. Listening to Orcas explores the ground-breaking research that lies behind these shifts in perception and documents the key roles and contributions of a remarkable group of life-long orca scientists, many of whom live and work on Canada’s West Coast.

MAN MAY TELL

LOOKING BACK

MATHILDE AND THE LOVE ROOM

Student Productions 00:11:00 D: Anna Anaka P: Anna Anaka

Student Productions 00:18:00 D: Chantal Limoges P: Sylvain D’Auteuil , Chantal Limoges

Looking Back. A Dramatic, Musical Short Film What is your biggest regret? For Maria, a well-established, professional Filipino woman, her biggest regret has to do with her relationship with her mother, Gloria. When Maria finds out Gloria has passed away, she is angry that she has been abandoned once again without explanation (just as Gloria did when Maria was a child) – an anger she has carried with her throughout her life.

Puffing on super slim cigarettes, wearing high heels, Madame Mathilde, as she's often called, is an exceptional, tireless public health nurse on a mission to help the homeless in Brussels through countless projects. Will she be able to convince Valérie and Mohammed to find some intimacy at her Love Room?

LOVE IN QUARANTINE

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:10:00 D: Millefiore Clarkes P: Rohan Fernando – National Film Board of Canada

Student Productions 00:14:35 D: Josiah Dyck P: Josiah Dyck A roofing foreman is sentenced by his boss to attend Anger management after an incident with a labourer turned south. While dissecting into each attendees relationships with anger, Steven attempts to deal with a rather unforgiving day.

MAZZARELLO

Student Productions 00:19:00 D: Carmen Rachiteanu P: Marie-Christine Roussel Amalia is a national amateur boxing champion in Argentina. She decides to leave everything behind and head to Germany, hoping to become a professional boxer. She then meets Kai, a severe looking coach with a soft side. This film is the intimate portrait of their encounter.

37

FILMS MEDDLE

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:07:00 D: Gillian Darling P: Gillian Darling Acclaimed Haida Manga artist, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, pushes the boundaries of the art world by challenging the divide between contemporary and so-called “Native Art”. With humour, kinetic innovation and expansion of traditional and contemporary forms, Yahgulanaas directly confronts the tension he identifies as arising from a legacy of historic racism that persists within and beyond the Western Art World.

MEET AND EAT AT LEE'S GARDEN

Documentary History & Biography 00:44:00 D: Day's Lee P: Day's Lee Growing up I knew little about my father’s past. The restaurant he opened on Park Ave in 1951 was key. While researching it, I discovered little known facts about his life and the unexpected story of the Chinese and Jewish immigrant communities bound together by the food the restaurants served.

of Attawapiskat, is about the loss of his father – not an easy experience to capture in a music video. Production took place over three days, with three cameras, at three different locations in Winnipeg, with actors and extras, and full-band performance by Midnight Shine.

But it’s the last-minute addition of an adorable four-year-old on the final shoot day that just might steal the show. And all the hearts.

MOBILE MD: EPISODE 104

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:22:00 D: Colin McNeil P: Steve Allen , Dr. Samantha Henley A young mother from a tiny prairie town is given valuable medical advice that helps her two young sons battle debilitating eczema. Then Dr. Henley is invited to be the physician of a wild and dangerous demolition derby held by a remote First Nation. Not only does the doctor help those that get injured, but she enters a race herself.

MOBILE MD: EPISODE 201

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:22:00 D: Colin McNeil P: Jeff Stecyk; Dr. Samantha Henley

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Dr. Henley visits country music artist Will Ballyntyne and helps treat the mysterious ringing in his ears, a health problem he worries could jeopardize his career. At the same time, she struggles to find answers for a woman laid low by her fluctuating hormones.

After the sudden death of their older brother, Dezzy and Oscar move to Northern Canada to spend the summer with their chainsmoking grandma. When Oscar becomes preoccupied with trying to impress their overconfident cousin, Dezzy seeks refuge in a mysterious creature she sees in the woods.

MONIQUE'S ON 4TH – THE MUSIC VIDEO

Student Productions 00:15:03 D: Molly Shears P: Julien Cornwall, Molly Shears

MIDNIGHT SHINE – LONELY BOY

Performing Arts & Entertainment 00:04:23 D: Cliff Hokanson , RoseAnna Schick P: RoseAnna Schick, Cliff Hokanson, Adrian Sutherland The song "Lonely Boy", written by Adrian Sutherland from the remote Cree community

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Performing Arts & Entertainment 00:10:00 D: Erica Barr, Nick Bohle P: Nick Bohle (Hatchap Productions)

Lethbridge's matron drag queen, Didi d'Edada and her son Castrati can't find a dress for Mama to wear to the music video launch! When a tornado strikes they are whisked away to a magical land called Monique's on 4th and all their fashion dreams come true!

FILMS MOUNTAINS

MUSE ROOM

A found-footage music video for Leah Barley's single "Daddy" featuring 8mm film of her grandparents' honeymoon in 1942.

An illegal immigrant working as a peep show dancer tries to escape from the seedy underbelly of the city she and her lover are trapped in. She must navigate a working relationship with her clients, while avoiding the looming threat of deportation.

Performing Arts & Entertainment 00:03:42 D: Nathanael Vass P: Nathanael Vass, Leah Barley

MR. EMANCIPATION: THE WALTER PERRY STORY

Documentary History & Biography 1:00:08 D: Preston Chase P: The Walter Perry Freedom Foundation Mr. Emancipation is the story of Walter Perry’s determination to put on a celebration that would transcend divisions of race and class.

He staged an Emancipation Day festival that was where everyone wanted to be. Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesse Owens all headed there because, as civil rights activist Dick Gregory said, "The largest Juneteenth celebration was not in America, it was in Windsor, Canada.” A celebration of ending slavery sounds grim. What Walter Perry organized was the exact opposite of grim. For him, the Emancipation Weekend was a celebration of life and escape from reality.

MURPHY'S LAW

Short Subject – Fiction 00:11:38 D: Kate Green P: Kate Green It’s 1897, Northern British Columbia.

Outlaws, Billy and Clara, gun down vigilantes about to hang Mary-Jo, their older sister.

Mary Jo, who hasn’t been feeling well of late seems to be getting worse. Her younger sisters realize Mary Jo has “the strange rabies”. Clara fights to save her. Maybe she’ll get better and when they get to Dawson City they can start to live a life of peace?

Student Productions 00:15:16 D: Monika Kraska P: Brandon Nicoletti

MY LIFE IN LIMBO

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:25:00 D: Anna Fahr P: Anna Fahr My Life in Limbo tells the story of Manal, a single mother of four from Damascus who has lived in Lebanon for eight years. To make ends meet, she operates a hair salon out of her cramped onebedroom apartment in Bourj Hammoud, Beirut’s Armenian quarter. Her youngest son, Jamil, is an up-and-coming rap artist who goes by the name Jico El-Irani. Her eldest daughter, Riham, was recently attending university in Damascus but had to leave her studies because of the war.

MY PRIDE: THE SERIES EPISODE ONE Animation 00:14:16 D: Madeleine Patton P: Madeleine Patton

My Pride is a 10-part dark fantasy web-series following a queer, disabled lioness bidden by the Goddesses to heal her broken world. Injured as a cub and unable to demonstrate her hunting abilities, she earns the name Nothing from her spiteful mother. Throughout the series, Nothing overcomes banishment and finds meaning and purpose outside of the judgment of Pride Law.

NARCOLEAP: SEASON 2

Series 00:15:00 D: Kate Green P: Kate Green, Jon Cooksey, Amber Orchard When college student Kelsey Atkins unexpectedly begins to leap into the bodies of other people during her bouts of narcolepsy,

39

FILMS she becomes a target in the deadly world of military espionage.

NO ROAD BLOCKS JUST DETOURS

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:59:33 D: Simon Jaynes, Sean Perrun P: Simon Jaynes

O C'EST POUR OTTAWA!

Children’s/Youth Productions 00:01:30 D: Christopher Redmond P: Hoda Elatawi

Fresh off a devastating defeat, a professional athlete close to retirement puts it all on the line to compete with the best extreme sports athletes in the world.

O c’est pour Ottawa! is a series of 26 shorts where we show off the incredible awesomeness of the nation’s capital while taking a deep dive into the alphabet. Each episode of this preschool/early school age series features a different letter, as we visit six to eight unique examples of objects and/or places that start with that letter, in the city. We'll get to know Ottawa from A to Z!

NORTH SHORE NOTES

OBDURATE

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:25:29 D: Graeme Bachiu P: Graeme Bachiu While the world faced an unprecedented public health emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic, global challenges became intensely personal. Combining selfshot footage with more traditionally sourced visuals, North Shore Notes explores some of the stories of creatives in rural Southern Ontario, Canada as they grapple with extraordinary circumstances.

NOVEMBER 11TH BOUQUET

Scripted 00:08:15 D: Gordon Pepper P: Gordon Pepper and George Grassick Through a personal poem, a man recounts the memory of his father and a wartime colleague, and the meaning of Remembrance Day.

NUXALK RADIO

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:03:16 D: Banchi Hanuse P: Jessica Hallenbeck, Dave Shortt A day in the life of 91.1, Nuxalk Radio, a radio station built to help keep the Nuxalkmc language alive, broadcasting the laws of the lands and waters.

Short Subject – Fiction 00:09:04 D: Jim Morrison IV P: Cynthia Crofoot, Bar Kirshon On the happiest day of her life, a woman needs to decide if she will takes steps to avoid the worst day of her life.

OCCAM'S RAZOR – SHORT FILM 1950S

Short Subject - Fiction 00:06:48 D: Ranjit Singh P: Ranjit Singh, Balvinder Gill, Ruth Pardazski A Psychological Thriller...A Young Woman searches for clues to find her missing Lover with the help of a Psychiatrist Friend!

ODE TO MY FATHER

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:22:00 D: Jorge Requena Ramos P: Orlando Braun A musician uses music & art to heal while trying to solve the emotional puzzle left behind by his father’s suicide before becoming a father himself.

OLD DOG

Animation 00:03:03 D: Ann Marie Fleming P: Shirley Vercruysse Since his partner passed away, Henry relies on his carer for companionship and help with life’s

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

FILMS obstacles, from failing eyesight and unsteady legs to fatigue and incontinence. All dogs should be so lucky and so loved.

ONE MORE CHANCE, BLAIR Short Subject - Fiction 00:04:56 D: Diana Dai P: Diana Dai

This short fiction film is about love, betrayal and reconciliation. Jesse had an affair outside the marriage, she comes back and asks for forgiveness from her husband Blair.

ORIGINAL LAUGHTER

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:20:00 D: Jarret Twoyoungmen P: LeeAnne Ireland, Jessica, Soloman Chiniquay A short documentary exploring Indigenous humour and laughter and how it supports healing and resiliency.

OTANIMM/ ONNIMM (DAUGHTER/FATHER) Experimental 00:03:34 D: Neko Wong-Houle, Terrance Houle P: Xstine Cook

A short animation based on the relationship of daughter and father artists, and their deep connection to one another. Using dialogue, music, traditional animation, stop-motion, experimental DIY photography using Caffenol (coffee/vitamin C developer) and 2D rotoscoping, Neko and her father Terrance share a unique look at an indigenous daughter/father story.

PANDEMIC MINDS

Student Productions 00:22:49 D: Sayda Mumtaha Habib P: Sayda Mumtaha Habib, Trevor Grant Pandemic Minds investigates human behaviour in a global crisis through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic. As 7 billion people confront death, fear, anxiety and isolation many are selflessly devoted to

helping their fellow humans, while others create chaos, abuse power or take advantage of fellow citizens. The documentary explores five factors of human behaviour through the stories of ordinary people.

PANDORA

Children’s/Youth Productions 00:47:02 D: Véa P: Youtheatre, ProductionsUP What starts as an innocent search quickly escalates for 16 year-old Pandora, as the world of online porn unfolds before her. Conflicted yet drawn in by what she sees, Pandora begins to feel the impact on her real-world relationships.

Drawing inspiration from the Greek myth of Pandora’s box, Pandora explores the dangers of defining oneself through the prism of the internet, and the importance of remaining plugged into the real world.

PAPER KINGDOMS

Student Productions 00:11:30 D: Raine Bracken P: Natalie O'Neill Paper Kingdoms is a mixed media fantasy film in which an imprisoned princess with the magical ability to discern truth from lies faces off against a demon who specializes in deceit. To win her freedom she must face the falsehoods that serve as the foundation for her kingdom’s history and discover whether truth is more powerful than deception.

PARAMEDICS: EMERGENCY RESPONSE, SEASON 4 Series 00:30:00 D: Antonio Hrynchuk P: Antonio Hrynchuk, Karen Parhar, Ryan Malone, Eric Michael Perez

Paramedics: Emergency Response Season 4 is a 6 x 30 documentary series that chronicles select teams of paramedics at MD Ambulance as they respond to 911 emergency calls in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

41

FILMS PATCHWORK HERO

Student Productions 00:08:10 D: Emily Pasternak P: Maresha Noel Iggy, a 21-year-old computer engineering drop-out, argues with her mother. Her father, who passed just a few weeks ago, had inexplicably left Iggy most of his fortune, excluding her mother and little brother in his will.

PEKIWEWIN RELIEF & PRAYER CAMP Documentary Social/Political 00:06:01 D: Jeromy Deleff P: Jordan Turko

Camp Pekiwewin was a ceremonial site for the house-less community in Edmonton that lasted from July – November 2020. Among the many aims were to provide refuge and challenge the municipality that acknowledges treaty and Indigenous communities in council, but consistently denies and erases Indigenous peoples' title to occupy their territories. As told by camp residents.

PINOY TALK

Community Television Productions 00:30:00 D: Lealynd Messer P: Ryan Riopay, Jacob Jala, Doris Patel, Rey Caparino, Lealynd Messer Are you ready for an amazing ride of your life? Pinoy Talk will take you on a roller coaster of fun and adventure as we bring you to the next level of Filipino culture and heritage. Join us as we our story where and when it happens now.

PLANTED IN 2020

Student Productions 00:18:11 D: Santiago Bessai P: Santiago Bessai Despite a workforce in quarantine, Canada planted almost 700 million trees in 2020 – the most ever. With future forests

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

under threat, a young woman journeys into the Canadian bush to endure a grueling and unconventional season of tree planting.

POROUS

Performing Arts & Entertainment 00:27:35 D: Eric Hill, Adrienne Adams, Ania Ślusarczyk, Ian Campbell, Mike Rollo, Elian Mikkola, Evie Ruddy, Kyath Battie P: Amber Goodwyn An episodic, collaborative, experimental, feminist sci-fi musical about an extraterrestrial named Natural Sympathies whose space ship crashes on Earth and her ensuing journey to fix and fuel her ship, leading her to unexpected discoveries about her new surroundings.

PRAIRIE PRIDE

Community Television Productions 00:30:00 D: Spencer Burridge P: Brett Littlemore, Michele Tyndall, Spencer Burridge Your fabulous guide to all things queer in the Queen City and throughout Saskatchewan!

PRESSURE PLAY

Short Subject - Fiction 00:16:00 D: Eric Bizzarri P: Riel Bo Fraser, 17, is a shy and introverted only child, but he speaks volumes on the court through his passion for basketball. Fraser has a chance to prove himself when the coach catches him practicing after school hours.

PROMISE ME

Scripted 00:24:47 D: Alison Duke P: Fonna-Tasha Seidu, Lucas Joseph Charlie still has hope and is adamant in caring for her mother, Yolonda Thomas, as her health takes a turn for the worse. Loyal, she insists on sticking by her mother’s side until the very end.

But when her school begins to notice Charlie’s absence, she is placed under a system of

FILMS surveillance and Charlie will soon come to find that some decisions are outside of her control.

QUEER ISOLATION

Student Productions 00:11:19 D: Jordana Valerie Allen-Shim P: Barrie Film Festival Queer Isolation is a short film made for the Barrie Film Festival’s Youth Virtual Media Arts Program about Noelle, a young queer woman of color forced back into the closet when she moves back in with her parents after losing her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

R.O.I.

Scripted 00:21:00 D: Benjamin Blais P: ActionCAN Films Faced with a power vacuum, the prodigal daughter of a crime syndicate must stake her moral compass in a bid to seize the throne.

REBEL

Short Subject – Fiction 00:15:00 D: Pier-Philippe Chevigny P: Geneviève Gosselin-G. Alex, a six-year-old boy from Quebec, is much too young to understand why thousands of refugees have been entering Canada illegally.

Yet when his father takes him along to a vigilante patrol in the woods to hunt out trespassing migrants, something inside him tells him to rebel.

RECEIVER

Short Subject – Fiction 00:15:00 D: Cavan Campbell P: Cavan Campbell, Sedina Fiati, Emily Andrews

RED BALLOON

Short Subject – Fiction 00:10:00 D: Avi Federgreen P: Avi Federgreen, Laura Tremblay, Jen Pogue, Emily Andrews A devoted father overcome with despair over his young son’s illness learns that true freedom comes from love and letting go.

REEF RESCUE

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:44:00 D: Su Rynard P: Merit Jensen Carr, Aaron Floresco In the last 50 years, we have lost roughly half of the planet’s coral. These vital underwater ecosystems are being wiped out by overfishing, pollution, and more catastrophically, rising water temperatures due to climate change. Scientists predict that in 30 years, nearly all of the world’s coral will be lost, as part of an environmental disaster threatening food security for hundreds of millions of people worldwide and irreparably harming ocean ecosystems. But new groundbreaking scientific discoveries are offering a glimmer of hope. Reef Rescue follows scientists unlocking the secrets of how coral has evolved over millions of years.

RESTAURANTS ON THE EDGE

Lifestyle & Reality 00:55:00 D: Justin Harding, Rob Brunner P: Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop, Courtney Hamlet, Steven Mars, Donna Luke, Rob Brunner, Justin Harding Restaurants on the Edge is a lifestyle series that invites viewers into restaurants located in some of the world’s most stunning locations: On the edge of the water, on a mountainside, overseeing a white, sandy beach, and more. Despite their outstanding views, these eateries haven’t been able to create an experience that lives up to their magnificent view.

Sriyani, an idealistic and overtaxed social worker of Sri Lankan descent, is a counselor at a telephone help line. She has built her life around helping others, but always at the expense of those closest to her.

43

FILMS RETRIBUTIVE MINDS

Short Subject – Fiction 00:07:28 D: Mehrtash Mohit P: Arash Sajadi Hoseini A man returns to his home country expecting to grieve his sister’s death but instead finds himself struggling to reconcile his ideologies while immersed in the society he left behind.

RKLSS

Animation 00:05:07 D: Tank Standing Buffalo P: Xstine Cook Tank, a natural artist who is always drawing, runs into trouble with the law with his gang of friends. Tank is convicted, jailed, and subjected to solitary confinement and intense brutality. His art allows him to escape his terrible conditions. He discovers his own native spirituality while in jail, and through his art, finds a way to be in the world, and to reflect on his own reality.

ROUNDUP

Experimental 00:03:20 D: Nettie Wild P: Nicholas Klassen Watch 4,000 cattle return from summer grazing to 20 families who share a communal pasture and corral. Mesmerizing visual patterns from sky and ground frame an evocative contemplation of the relationship between humans and animals, landscape and architecture.

RUNNING WILD: THE CATS OF CORNWALL

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:52:06 D: Aaron Hancox P: Judy Holm, Michael McNamara, Aaron Hancox Cats might be cuddly and cute but they are decimating the environment like other invasive species. As ecologists and citizens alike try to control outdoor cat populations, not everyone is on board. Especially in Cornwall, Ontario, where cat advocates are

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

fighting for humane solutions. Finding a fix won’t be easy in this small city with a big cat problem.

SAVING MINDS

Documentary Social/Political 00:55:00 D: Catherine Mullins P: Catherine Mullins Myriam Anouk and Alo have spent years seeking effective treatment within a mental health system that has medicated them but failed to address the roots of their suffering.

Saving Minds captures their intimate stories as they navigate their way to recovery. With added insights from experts in the field, and the candid testimony of author Joanne Greenberg (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden), the film gives viewers a ringside seat as a new approach to mental health care begins to take shape; one that moves beyond the biological-medical model towards a more therapeutic and empathetic approach that puts the patient first and uses medication cautiously.

SEARCH AND RESCUE: NORTH SHORE Series 00:56:28 D: Grant Baldwin P: Jenny Rustemeyer

This five-episode series follows the highly skilled volunteer members of North Shore Rescue as they find and rescue people in distress in the rugged mountains, canyons, forests and urban environments of North Vancouver. Through the lens of real rescues, we meet some of the people who give their time to the busiest volunteer rescue organization in the country.

SENSORY

Student Productions 00:05:04 D: Calic Tolentino P: Calic Tolentino Invigoration of the mundane city lights.

FILMS SHADOW OF DUMONT

like is their life on other planets? How is a star born? How do you become and astronaut? And are we really made of star dust? Mixing amazing NASA archive footage with cool animation, Space Kids gives curious kids the ABC's of outer space.

Trevor, detached from his Métis roots, and living in Toronto, pilots a campervan across North America to track the life and legacy of his childhood hero, Métis leader and his great-great-uncle, Gabriel Dumont.

STANDSTILL

Documentary History & Biography 00:43:37 D: Trevor Cameron P: Anand Ramayya, Kelly Balon

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? Short Subject – Fiction 00:04:00 D: Jeffrey John Eyamie P: Karen Tusa

When Karina asks Dmitri his opinion on her artwork, he scrambles to find an answer that's not going to get him in trouble. But their relationship is put to the test when Dmitri's tepid response forces Karina to expose Dmitri's secret.

SOVEREIGN SOIL

Documentary Science/Nature/Technology 00:52:00 D: David Curtis P: Andrew Connors, Shirley Vercruysse Set in the northern wilds surrounding the sub-Arctic town of Dawson City, Yukon, Sovereign Soil explores what it takes to grow local food north of 64 degrees. At the far-flung edge of Canada’s Boreal forest, a handful of unlikely farmers are growing everything from snow-covered Brussels sprouts to apples. These modern-day agrarians have carved out small patches of fertile soil in an otherwise unforgiving expanse of isolated wilderness to make a living and a life.

SPACE KIDS

Children’s/Youth Productions 00:02:00 D: Tara Hungerford, Eric Hogan P: Tara Hungerford, Eric Hogan, Tracey Mack, Marney Malabar (Executive Producer, TVOkids), Caroline Voitovici, TVOKids Space Kids explores the infinite wonders of our universe and answers the big questions,

Short Subject - Fiction 00:12:35 D: Katia Shannon P: Katia Shannon, Gareth Brown A fight to get through the gridlock becomes a fight for survival for Amanda as her body comes to a standstill.

STEPPING

Short Subject – Non-fiction 00:04:28 D: Dianne Ouellette P: Dianne Ouellette This short film is about a moment in time encapsulating perseverance and a motherdaughter relationship.

STITCHED GLASS

Documentary Arts & Culture.

00:21:35 D: Ian Daffern and Omar Majeed P: Ian Daffern, Id productions In 2003, actor and artist Kirk Dunn set out on a pilgrimage to knit a series of awe-inspiring tapestries inspired by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Knitting something this ambitious takes time and inspiration, forcing him out of his comfort zone. After fifteen years of painstaking craft, Kirk is ready to share his tapestries with the world with their launch at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Stitched Glass follows an artist grappling with religion at large, and explores how even the grandest of designs can be begun with just one stitch.

STOOD UP!

Experimental 00:04:40 D: Cjay Boisclair P: Cjay Boisclair A lifelong wing-man and serial 'best friend', Ben decides to shake things up with a blind date.

When things go awry, will fate step in and save him from forever being friend-zoned?

47

FILMS STRANDED

Student Productions 00:23:20 D: Kehinde Olalafe P: Kehinde Olalafe, Trevor Grant Fed up with a life of struggle and uncertainty in Nigeria, Michael and Solomon wanted out.

Their destination was Europe, where they hope to live and work in a land perceived to be flowing with milk and honey and with streets paved with gold. With no entry visas to their country of destination, they opted for the treacherous journey through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean.

STRING THEORY

Experimental 00:02:00 D: Gordon Pepper P: Gordon Pepper A poetic look at a Saskatchewan fall with help from Bach and Glenn Gould.

STRONG SON

Short Subject - Fiction 00:03:12 D: Ian Bawa P: Ian Bawa An endearing portrait of a South Asian father as he attempts to give life and marital advice to his bodybuilding and image-obsessed son.

This deeply touching, comedic short film is an autobiographical piece that stars the director's own father, Jagdeep Singh Bawa.

SUICIDE: THE HIDDEN PANDEMIC

Documentary Social/Political 00:55:00 D: Matthew Campea P: Christopher Sumpton, Matthew Campea As the world self-isolates, the risk of a surge in suicides is greater than ever before. Such is true for Sophia, 22, who would be the last person you would expect to take her own life. Having overcome thoughts of suicide before, Sophia wants to help others do the same by volunteering for a spot on a suicide hotline in which only 1 in 10 applicants will complete their training. Beginning six months

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

before the pandemic, this film journeys into the hidden world of suicide prevention, where brave volunteers deliver hope to those who feel stuck in the darkness.

TRIBAL

Student Productions 00:14:57 D: DJ Carnegie P: Dj Carnegie This is a story based upon indigenous folklore, superstitions, and stories of evil.

A brother seeking freedom from destitution and another who will come to realize the sinister truth... It is not superstition It is not folklore Evil exist... Beware. Inspired by a story told by David L. Benjoe III 1975-2017 and dedicated to his memory.

THANADOULA

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:06:00 D: Robin McKenna P: Robin McKenna (Gaudete Films), Jelena Popovic (NFB) Two sisters entwined by love. When Annie disappears, her younger sister, Natalie, seeks her out in an unconventional way: as a thanadoula, accompanying the dying in their final stages.

Between their slow and final breaths, Natalie finds a bridge between life and death and, ultimately, a pathway to her sister.

THE ABDUCTION PROJECT Short Subject – Fiction 00:06:16 D: Tony Quiñones P: Judith Silverthorne

Strange beings that no one has seen have infiltrated the world, terrorizing people. Parents with a son (Michael), who is highly intelligent but has peculiar behaviours, mistakenly move to the other side of their city to try to escape them. However, they seem to have arrived for their neighbours across the street who are quickly packing and moving. Michael's family is packing up too, and although Michael is told not to go anywhere, he is curious and heads to the neighbour’s empty house to investigate.

FILMS THE ARCTICS

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:56:45 D: Naomi Mark, Marty O'Brien P: Marty O'Brien, Naomi Mark, Suzanne E. Greening The Arctics is a never before seen look at the history and impacts of the Arctic Winter Games, an international biennial multi sport games that has been celebrating circumpolar sport and culture in the North since 1970.

This short documentary follows the stories of characters from across the 9 contingents that make up the international competition as they prepare to partake in the 2020 Arctic Winter Games which mark 50 years since first opening.

THE CALL

Student Productions 00:23:34 D: Joseph Bernacki P: Nathan Meyers Tucked away in the heart of Muenster, SK lies St. Peter’s Abbey. Established in 1903 as the oldest Benedictine monastery in Canada, the abbey was once a bustling home to over 60 resident monks at its peak. Now the hallways are filled with solitude as the remaining 12 monks continue their daily routines of prayer amidst a dwindling community. As the western world continues to evolve religiously, this documentary explores the Benedictine faith and the people of Saskatchewan that embody its tradition. This is The Call.

THE CAMPAIGN

Student Productions 00:06:52 D: Jakob Densky P: Jack Parker Two step-brothers attempt to bond over Live Action Role Playing.

THE DAY MY JOB TRIED TO KILL ME

Documentary History & Biography 00:44:00 D: John Barnard, Chris Charney P: Chris Charney, Scott R. Leary, Kyle Bornais The Day My Job Tried To Kill Me will examine one instance where survivors detail the day

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

that their workplace turned into a living hell. The show will go behind the headlines of some of the world's most infamous workplace disasters.

THE FAKE CALENDAR

Animation 00:01:00 D: Meky Ottawa P: Maral Mohammadian, Jelena Popović A neon glimpse into a personal world within an urban landscape. From FOMO to JOMO, The Fake Calendar is an artist’s expression of how people come up with interesting and creative ways to avoid social functions in favour of their own private space.

THE LAST TIME YOU MADE ME BREAKFAST Student Productions 00:10:29 D: Charlie Steele P: Karina Meidell

Desperate for food, Michael, a young homeless man breaks into an apartment belonging to an elderly woman with Alzheimer's. As he makes his way through the apartment, he is surprised to find Emma, the elderly woman lying in bed. She mistakes Michael for her deceased husband and invites him to have breakfast with her. Enjoying the feeling of being wanted and safe he stays with her, until Emma's daughter unexpectedly arrives.

THE LEAST WE CAN DO

Documentary Social/Political 00:52:00 D: Moira Simpson P: Christine McDowell, Peggy Thompson, Barbara Shuman, Elizabeth Walker, Leora Kuttner, Barbara Etches, Leslie Timmins, Crystal Verge On August 3, 2014, ISIS extremists began a campaign of genocide against the Yazidi, a religious minority in Northern Iraq. They murdered the men, forced the boys into ISIS military training camps, and enslaved the women and girls, subjecting them to torture and rape in a fate that survivor Nadia Murad describes as “worse than death.”

A small group of women in British Columbia, Canada, are relieved when the Canadian government votes to bring Yazidi women and girls as refugees to Canada and provide them

FILMS with comprehensive trauma care for their unimaginable suffering.

THE LONG TODAY

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:16:47 D: Niobe Thompson P: Niobe Thompson My Dad turned 70 this summer. So he found a “river” on a map, repaired one of his old wood canoes, and invited his family to help him celebrate the big day. Only a few of us showed up.

THE LORD’S DAY

Student Productions 00:06:51 D: Simon Weizineau P: Wapikoni Mobile To get over his Sunday boredom, a young Atikamekw spends time with friends, reminiscing about his dogs.

THE MILLIONAIRE'S BURGER

Scripted 00:05:27 D: Rob White P: Jon Tewksbury, Rob White, Nathan White Paula and Nathan just wanted a quick lunch at a local diner but they end up getting much more than they could possibly afford: A specialty item for a particular class of customers.

THE MOVE: MICHAELA – ACRO

Performing Arts & Entertainment 00:04:18 D: Lucius Dechausay P: Lucius Dechausay, Romeo Candido, Andrew D’Cruz As a competitive acro dancer, 16-year-old Michaela Beck is used to harsh critiques on stage — but it was the judgment she faced off-stage as a young trans dancer that almost pushed her out of dance forever.

In this emotional film, she performs a deeply personal dance about transition and tolerance.

THE MUSIC BOX

Animation 00:11:29 D: Joe Chang P: Joe Chang, Yang Li This animated short film is based on a real story and sets in China during the Cultural Revolution in 1967, It is about a young boy Liang Liang, whose family is suddenly taken to the countryside by Red Guards. He is able to grab the only thing he treasures which is a western style music box, and is careful not to expose it to the red guards since it was linked to western culture.

THE NORTH STAR: FINDING BLACK MECCA

Documentary History & Biography 00:22:21 D: Angel Panag, Torrin Blades P: Angel Panag, Godfred Adjei, Torrin Blades Once called "The Black Mecca"and "A Coloured Man’s Paris", Chatham-Kent is a region in Canada with a long history of Black settlement.

In spite of hardships, the community has thrived.

The North Star is an independent film that documents the past and the present of a people who have helped shape this country, but are often left out of its textbooks.

THE PILGRIMAGE

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:13:13 D: Lori Lozinski P: Lori Lozinski A two-day women-only mindful motorcycle quest that took place on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

THE POO BAG 2

Short Subject – Fiction 00:11:38 D: Dani Barker P: Dani Barker, Gerald Situ A true story about the horrific adventures of making a short film called The Poo Bag during COVID-19.

51

FILMS THE SCENT

THE WISE FOOL

Sarah faces discrimination in her workplace and is subject to her boyfriend’s fetishistic obsession. She needs to break free and move on.

Laughing is a lifetime achievement! Sooner or later everyone plays the fool. Meet Jan Henderson – director, educator, clown extraordinaire, saving the world one red nose at a time. For over 40 years, Jan has lead countless students on a magical, inspirational journey to release their inner clowns waiting in the wings.

Hear Jan’s story and why she believes clowns emerge when the oft-cruel world needs them most, to entertain and gift their audiences with hope, truth, love and compassion.

Student Productions 00:13:22 D: Farhad Pakdel P: Farhad Pakdel

THE TOUCHED

Short Subject - Fiction 00:05:31 D: Radha Menon P: Tony Sciara A boy hears the call and cannot resist the touch.

La Toccata is a five-minute magic realism film exploring our obsession with youth and beauty. A boy is drawn to the sea by a siren and gets more than he bargained for!

THE UNFORGOTTEN

Experimental 00:31:23 D: Christopher Paetkau P: Christopher Paetkau Most Canadians hold their health care system in great reverence. Yet beneath the veneer of respectability lies a dark history that has largely remained untold; that in Canada health service has been used as a tool to buttress racist stereotypes, and repress and assimilate Indigenous people.

In five interlocking vignettes that cover the stages of life; birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and elderhood, The Unforgotten explores Canadian healthcare through the shared experience of Inuit, Metis and First Nations people.

THE UNIVERSE ACCORDING TO DAN BUCKLEY Experimental 00:09:30 D: Roberto Santaguida P: Svetla Turnin , Ezra Winton

In the beginning, there was nothing. You can get nothing easily.

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:31:00 D: Geraldine Carr P: Geraldine Carr

THIRTY EIGHT MINUTES

Documentary Social/Political 00:14:00 D: Shasha Nakhai, Rich Williamson P: Ed Barreveld, Shasha Nakhai A snapshot into a brief moment in time when paradise was lost - a diverse set of characters re-enact and reflect on the spur of the moment decisions they made during Hawaii’s false missile alert.

TIDES

Short Subject – Fiction 00:11:37 D: Rowan Gray P: Jessica Gibson Discovering her ailing grandmother has escaped, Eden must track her down through a harsh Canadian winter landscape. The two women and their conflicting perceptions lead to a final, singular reality.

TINTYPE

Short Subject - Fiction 00:13:10 D: Craig Thomson P: Craig Thomson A couple mark the tenth anniversary of finding out they have HIV.

FILMS TOMOMI ON THE FARM

Tomomi on the Farm creates an impressionistic and artistic documentary cataloging the experiences of a Japanese woman, Tomomi, who finds herself on a Saskatchewan elk farm during the COVID-19 pandemic.

athletes were suddenly everywhere, drawing massive crowds and dominating newspaper headlines. Nineteen-year-old Nora Young is a multi-sport champion, brimming with trophies, talent and an indomitable zest for life. Breaking into the spectacularly “weird and wonderful” world of men’s Six-Day bike racing, as part of a women’s demonstration event, she seizes a rare opportunity to become one of few female cyclists ever to compete on a steeply banked velodrome track.

TOP CHEF CANADA

VIVI'S VISION

Short Subject – Non-Fiction 00:12:30 D: Craig Range P: Mike Johnston

Series 00:45:00 D: Brett Morris P: John Brunton , Mark Lysakowski , Eric Abboud Canada’s most prestigious culinary competition is back with the best and brightest professional chefs currently blazing a trail across Canada’s sizzling hot culinary scene competing for the title of Canada’s Top Chef.

TRASHED

Short Subject – Fiction 00:10:00 D: Alyson Richards P: Mike MacMillan An uptight woman returns home to fine her kitchen trashed and her cleaning woman passed out drunk on the pantry floor.

TSUNAMI FALLS

Short Subject – Fiction 00:08:56 D: Brian McWha P: Phil Planta, Nach Dudsdeemaytha Thomas wakes up to discover his world is about to end. Now he must come to terms with his death.

UNDENIABLY YOUNG: NORA YOUNG & THE SIX-DAY RACE Documentary History & Biography 00:13:10 D: Julia Morgan P: Julia Morgan

Let us take you back in time to the 1930s Jazz age when – for the first time ever – female

Documentary Arts/Culture 00:43:00 D: Leona Krahn P: Leona Krahn, Kyle Bornais, Cliff Hokanson Vivi embarks on writing and producing her first play for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival after being selected in the lottery process. It's a lot of work for her for a play she won't get to see. Vivi is completely blind, having lost all her sight in her early twenties. Her play is based on the Harlem Renaissance novel Passing by Nella Larsen which tells the dramatic story of a mixed race woman who passes for white, married to a bigoted husband who doesn't know her true identity until he makes the startling discovery - with fatal results. Vivi relates strongly to the novel as she is not only blind but mixed race so "passes" often in life to better cope with her incredible challenges.

WALKS

Short Subject – Non-fiction 00:11:49 D: Al J. Moran P: Al J. Moran An older man, faced with a difficult diagnosis, chooses to deal with it in his own way

WALL OF CHEFS

Series 00:45:00 D: Dave Russell P: John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, Eric Abboud Every amateur cook’s dream is to have their culinary creations tasted and critiqued by an acclaimed professional chef. But what happens when a home cook has to impress not just one, but an entire wall featuring Canada’s most discerning palates? WALL OF CHEFS will test

53

FILMS the skill and the nerves of the country’s most aspiring Home Cooks. as they compete to cook under the towering shadow of the Wall of Chefs.

WANUSKEWIN, A CELEBRATION – BISON AND THE LAND Community Television Productions 00:11:38 D: Jared Peace P: Jared Peace

After a 150-year absence, the first bison are born at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Hear the story of the long journey to re-connect with the past.

WATERSHED

Short Subject - Fiction 00:14:26 D: Maxime Beauchamp P: Kent Donguines While scavenging around an empty city after a water-borne virus has killed off most of the Earth’s population, a lone survivor finds a sliver of hope when she encounters a young Mandarin girl who may be able to chemically manufacture clean water.

WAVE FORM

Experimental 00:08:17 D: Tiz (Daniel Tysdal) P: Tiz (Daniel Tysdal) Wave Form explores movie viewing, sharing, and making as a means of confronting the experience of mental illness. It illuminates the sustaining, transformative powers of film by transforming a variety of “waves” from cinematic history – ocean waves, waving hands, waves of soldiers – through the luma waveform scope, a technical feature of movie editing software. Converted into luma waveforms, the original filmic images are rendered unrecognizable, their representational nature exchanged for a ghostly, mesmerizing shimmer.

WE ALL DREAM

Short Subject – Fiction 00:07:14 D: Daniel Stark P: Jason Hamborg, Meagan Howard-Gibbon We All Dream is a melancholy horror short film about a sleepwalking girl, a midnight mission for ice cream, and the uneasiness of growing up in a jaded world.

WE CAME FROM THE SEA

Short Subject – Fiction 00:15:00 D: Jeremy Lutter P: Raynor Shima & Jeremy Lutter We Came From the Sea is the story of Einar, an addict recently abandoned by his wife and five year-old daughter. As he fights to go clean in their oceanside home, Einar is haunted by an uninvited stranger.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Student Productions 00:11:43 D: Darren Summersby P: Julianna Corso Antonia, a young law intern, has a promising life ahead of her when she receives a promotion that will take her to New York. In the midst of telling her boyfriend, he proposes to her, leaving Antonia with a difficult decision. She struggles with what she truly wants and, in the end, takes her life into her own hands.

WHAT WE DO WITH WITCHES Short Subject – Fiction 00:09:30 D: Mario José Moreira P: Emma Sampson

Two girls set a trap for their high school bully.

WHIRLWIND

Animation 00:01:28 D: Adolfo Ruiz P: Adolfo Ruiz Whirlwind is a hand-drawn animation, consisting of over 700 ink drawings, rendered during the

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

FILMS early stages (from March to July) of the 2020 global pandemic. The film’s visuals were elicited by unfolding events during these months—evoking the entanglement of urban landscapes and the natural world, while illustrating a constant sense of movement and transformation. The animation evolves through a combination of representational and abstract imagery.

YOU WILL STILL BE HERE TOMORROW

WINTER SLEEP

ZEEN?

Experimental 00:06:24 D: Chad Galloway P: Sheri Benning Winter Sleep, a short film, offers affective critique of the agroindustry in prairie Canada.

The poem and film, in conversation, ask viewers to reckon with the devastating socio-environmental impact of agribusiness, a clarifying task in re-conceiving new horizons for being here.

Short Subject – Fiction 00:13:00 D: Michael Hanley P: Heidi Tan, Rebeka Herron

A gay, married man is continuously forced to come out to his father, who suffers from latestage Alzheimer's.

Scripted 00:30:56 D: Calyx Passailaigue P: Calyx Passailaigue, Richard Walters Chad is a pretentious white Jamaican film director. With his ragtag Caribbean cast and crew, he aims to shoot a highbrow social drama called "Brothers in Babylon."

XO RAD MAGICAL

Experimental 0:01:00 D: Christopher Gilbert Grant P: Maral Mohammadian, Jelena Popović XO Rad Magical is a personal lyrical poem about the daily struggle of living with schizophrenia. This psychedelic and hypnotic film shows that there is beauty in the brains of those who are at war with themselves.

YEAR OF THE GOAT

Documentary POV (Point of View) 00:44:08 D: Michael McNamara, Aaron Hancox P: Judy Holm, Michael McNamara, Aaron Hancox Goats. They’re curious, mischievous, loving, and most of all unique – just like their owners.

Year of The Goat follows a group of youthful goat-fanciers on the path to glory - a win at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Dairy Goat Competition. To make it to the Royal, the Superbowl of agricultural fairs in November, they must compete in a series of regional shows across Ontario, beginning in June.

55

THANK YOU ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CREDITS

Thanks to all of our volunteers and partners: your work and dedication has made this festival a showcase for Canadian cinema for 74 years.

Graphic design by Pink Kloud Creative | pinkkloud.com Photographs by Bob and Vivian Christopher.

Printed by Parkland Printers Ltd.

Here’s to 74 more years to come!

CONTACT 49 Smith Street East Yorkton, SK S3N 0H4 Telephone: 306.782.7077 Email: info@yorktonfilm.com Web: www.yorktonfilm.com

WWW.YORKTONFILM.COM

2021 SPONSORS

silver partners

event partners

bronze partners

GOLD PARTNER

PLATINUM PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

May 27 – 30, 2021

EVENT DONORS

supporter

AWARD PARTNERs

Legacy

YORKTON FILM FESTIVAL 49 Smith Street East, Yorkton, Saskatchewan S3N 0H4 Tel: 306.782.7077 Fax: 306.782.1550 Email: info@yorktonfilm.com Web: www.yorktonfilm.com

@yorktonfilm Design by Pink Kloud | pinkkloud.com

Printed by Parkland Printers Ltd.