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ReFrame 2024 FILM GUIDE

January 25 - 28

Schedule of Films & Events

Plan Your In Person Festival

January 29 - February 4

Virtual Film Guide

EXPLORE ON DEMAND FILMS

BrowSe ALL FILMS

Evening Features

These films highlight one or more core issues and ideas woven throughout the rest of the program.

A person stands at the center of a vast, cracked desert landscape under a bright sky with the sun directly behind, casting a long shadow forward. They wear a mid-length dress with a floral pattern and appear barefoot. The horizon is lined with mountains, and the lighting suggests either dawn or dusk due to the warm tones and long shadows. The ground is parched and textured, highlighting the dry environment.

Boil Alert

  • James Burns, Stevie Salas
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 98 mins
  • Thu Jan 25
  • 7:00 PM
  • Showplace
Buy Tickets

In Boil Alert, an Indigenous woman goes on a journey through First Nations reservations to shine a light on the devastating struggle for clean water and discovers herself in the process. This poignant exploration illuminates the human dimension of the water crisis in Indigenous communities, as well as the impact it is having upon Native identity.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Layla Staats and Joshua Neuman

This film is featured during Opening Night.
Please note: opening night tickets are sold separately, and are not included in the purchase of a Festival Pass.

Opening Night brought to you by

  • English
  • Inspiring
An image of a person wearing a top hat, glasses, and black and white scarf. To their left is a red tickle trunk with flowers painted onto it. The trunk is full of colourful clothes spilling over the edge. The person has on a fantastical black top, making it seem like they have six arms with white gloves covering the hands. In the background are shelves full of stuffed animals and other toys.

Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe

  • Robert McCallum
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 94 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 5:15 PM
  • Showplace

Based on the life and career of legendary Canadian children’s entertainer Ernie Coombs—or, as he is more commonly known by millions of fans, Mr. Dressup, this documentary celebrates the origins and history of one of Canada’s most beloved CBC children shows, which enriched the lives of five generations. This film celebrates the expansiveness of gender, and has special connections to the Nogojiwanong community.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Greg Floyd.

  • English
  • Inspiring
In a dimly lit pub, a group of people are gathered, some sitting and some standing. The focus is on a person playing a banjo in the center, surrounded by onlookers who are attentively listening or waiting their turn to perform. The mood is casual and communal, typical of an informal music session. The image is monochromatic, which adds a timeless and candid feel to the scene.

North Circular

  • Luke McManus
  • Ireland
  • 2022
  • 99 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 8:00 PM
  • Market Hall

Those in power write the history. Those who struggle write the songs. North Circular is a documentary musical that travels the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, from the Phoenix Park to Dublin Port, exploring the history, music and streetscapes of a street that links some of the country’s most beloved and infamous places.

Three individuals are standing in a triangle for what appears to be a knighting ceremony. One person is turned away from the camera, showing only their back. On top of their shoulder lays the end of a sword, held by the person across from them. That person is standing with a serious demeanor, dressed in a biker-style vest with various patches. The third person stands to the right of the biker, staring at the sword with a focused expression.

Praying For Armageddon

  • Tonje Hessen Schei
  • Norway
  • 2023
  • 80 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 8:00 PM
  • Showplace

The Countdown to Armageddon has begun. As biblical prophecy fuels political power, American Evangelicals threaten U.S. democracy and push for the Apocalypse in the Middle East. With close-quarters journalism, this feature documentary takes a deep dive into power and policy, and investigates the dangerous consequences of a fusion between Evangelical Christianity and American politics.

  • Arabic, English
A figure with an avant-garde appearance is positioned in the foreground, dressed in what appears to be a white costume with structural, organic shapes enveloping the body and an elaborate headpiece resembling a stylized, textured wig or headdress. The figure's face is painted white, with darkened eyes and lips, and exhibits a neutral expression. The background shows an interior space with curved architecture and multiple people in motion, possibly a subway station or a public concourse, with a softly blurred focus that suggests movement and life happening around the still, striking figure in the foreground.

Queendom

  • Agniia Galdanova
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 101 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 8:00 PM
  • Market Hall

Gena, a Queer artist from a small town in Russia, dresses in otherworldly costumes made from junk and tape, and protests the government on the streets of Moscow. She stages radical performances in public that become a new form of art and activism. The performances—often dark, strange, evocative, and Queer at their core — are a manifestation of Gena’s subconscious. But they come at a price.

  • Russian
  • Inspiring, Visually Striking
A BMX rider is captured mid-air performing a stunt, with their body horizontal to the ground and legs kicked out to the side, above a yellow bicycle. The bike's reflection is visible on the wet surface below. The shot is set against an urban park backdrop with historical buildings, bare trees, and a clear blue sky. Onlookers are seen in the distance. The low angle of the photograph emphasizes the height of the jump and the skill of the rider.

The Engine Inside

  • Darcy Wittenburg, Darren McCullough, Colin Jones, Anthill Films
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 84 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 8:00 PM
  • Showplace

The Engine Inside tells the stories of six everyday people from all over the globe who reveal the unique power of the bicycle to change lives and build a better world. Through their stories, the film uncovers the often-overlooked potential of this 200-year-old machine, exploring its impact on a wide range of global issues such as physical and mental health, socioeconomic inequality and climate change.

  • English
  • Uplifting

Community & Care

Taking action may be loud or quiet, large or small, but it is fiercest when it is in service of those we care for, or whose experiences we’ve shared.

This program is sponsored by

An individual is standing at an open doorway, facing a balcony and looking out at an urban landscape. The sign above the balcony reads "CHIN WING CHUN SOCIETY" in English and has Chinese characters beneath it. The view includes modern buildings, and the doorway is framed with colourful glass panes, suggesting a traditional or historical setting within a contemporary city environment.

Big Fight in Little Chinatown

  • Karen Cho
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 88 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 5:15 PM
  • Market Hall

All across the globe, Chinatowns are under threat of disappearing – and along with them, the rich history of communities who fought from the margins for a place to belong. Big Fight in Little Chinatown documents the collective fight to save Chinatowns across North America.

  • English, French, Mandarin Chinese
A woman stands outside a brick building, holding a box of Playtex tampons and a long printed receipt. They are smiling at the camera, dressed in a cozy, textured beige jacket with a navy blue top visible underneath. Their curly hair is pulled back from their face, and they wear round earrings.

Periodical

  • Lina Lyte Plioplyte
  • USA
  • 2022
  • 95 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 2:45 PM
  • Market Hall

Periodical tells the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last. Lina Lyte Plioplyte’s innovative documentary uncovers shocking truths, challenges taboos, and celebrates the end of centuries of societal stigma.

Related VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Period Poverty & Advocacy | Tuesday, Jan 30 at 7:00PM EST - Pre-register now!

A black and white image of a snowy park setting, an individual is seated alone on a picnic table, dressed warmly in a heavy coat with a fur-lined hood, gloves, and a winter hat. The background features leafless trees, indicating it's a cold season, and buildings that suggest an urban environment. The person's posture and the empty park convey a sense of solitude or reflection.

Last Respects

  • Megan Durnford
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 7 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 8:00 PM
  • Market Hall

Montreal priest Father Claude Paradis believes that all lives are worthy of respect. So in 2014, he created an annual ceremony to celebrate the lives of the “unclaimed.” Thanks to Father Paradis’ compassionate gesture, these people are granted a final moment of dignity.

Guests in attendance, Q&A with Megan Durnford

  • English
  • Inspiring
A person's hand is gently touching the cheek of a large, unfinished sculpted head and shoulders. The sculpture is highly detailed, with lifelike facial features, and it is mounted on a stand. In the background, there is an assortment of artistic materials and another bust sculpture, indicating that the setting is likely an artist's studio.

Alive in Bronze

  • A.K. Sandhu
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 19 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 2:45 PM
  • Showplace

Sculptor Dana King’s hands and activist Fredrika Newton’s memories come together to build a new monument—a bust of Black Panther Party leader Huey P. Newton for the Oakland community that he loved and shaped. As the sculpture takes form, more than just a face is revealed.

A person is seated on a curb in a parking lot, wearing a tie-dye dress and sandals, with a small blue handbag next to them. They have a tattoo on their arm and are wearing a name tag sticker. The person looks off to the side with a thoughtful expression. Behind them, there is a car parked and trees that suggest the area could be near an office or a public building. The setting appears to be during the day with overcast weather.

Is There Anybody Out There?

  • Ella Glendining
  • United Kingdom
  • 2023
  • 87 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 5:15 PM
  • Showplace

While navigating daily discrimination, a filmmaker who inhabits and loves her unusual body searches the world for another person like her, and explores what it takes to love oneself fiercely despite the pervasiveness of ableism.

  • English
  • Inspiring
A promotional image for a documentary described as a participatory exploration of Ontario's Basic Income Pilot. The image features a wall with several photographs of individuals holding signs, and a person on a stepladder placing or adjusting one of the pictures. The wall also includes laurels indicating the film's selection for various festivals. Additionally, there's a symbol for the International Motion Picture Awards. The setting appears to be an exhibition or a public area.

A Human Picture

  • Simon Brothers, Luke Mistruzzi
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 17 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 3:00 PM
  • Library

Centred on Ontario’s short-lived, but transformational Basic Income Pilot, this documentary sparks curiosity, fosters understanding, and encourages open dialogue about the transformative potential of basic income by combining emotional narratives, real-life impact stories, expert insights and creative visuals.

Following the film, join us for Panel: Impact of Basic Income.

  • English
A composite image with a double exposure effect. In the foreground, a translucent image of a human hand holding a bunch of wildflowers with purple blooms is superimposed. Behind this, a rural landscape unfolds, featuring a field of golden-hued grass leading to rustic wooden buildings that appear to be barns or farmhouses. The background scene is in sharp focus, with clear blue skies above and the structures casting shadows on the grass, indicating sunlight coming from the left. The overall effect is ethereal and artistic, with the hand and flowers adding a touch of delicate human presence to the rugged countryside setting.

This is What the World Looks Like When You’re Gone

  • Steen Starr
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 11 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 2:45 PM
  • Showplace

When we lose someone, the world ticks on just the same. But for those left behind everything is entirely changed. This is What the World Looks Like When You're Gone is a beautifully made, contemplative look at love, loss and family.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Steen Star

  • English

Shorts: Community & Care

A person with braided hair is standing at a locker, looking over their shoulder with a contemplative expression. They are wearing casual clothing and a backpack, indicating they could be a student. The hallway in the background is blurred.

Loud & Here

  • Josiane Blanc
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 12 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

After noticing too many cases of sexual violence going unreported or unpunished within their own schools, 23 teen girls decided to take matters into their own hands to make meaningful changes to school board policy across Québec.

  • French
Two kayakers navigate rough waters, their expressions focused and exhilarated. The person in the foreground paddles vigorously, splashes surrounding their red kayak. The person behind, partially obscured by splashing water, also appears engaged in the challenge, maneuvering a red kayak with a blue top deck. The backdrop is full of lush greenery and vegetation.

Paddle Tribal Waters

  • Paul Robert Wolf Wilson, Rush Sturges
  • USA
  • 2022
  • 9 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of Indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea. The film gives viewers a bird’s eye view of an unforgettable group of youth training for the adventure of a lifetime.

  • English
  • Uplifting
A person with shoulder-length bright red hair stands in the foreground, smiling slightly, with a blurred city skyline in the background. They are wearing a black top, and the overcast sky suggests a muted daylight setting. Below the skyline, there's a glimpse of a highway with moving vehicles, bordered by greenery. The focus on the individual with the cityscape backdrop creates a juxtaposition between the person and the urban environment.

Winn

  • Erica Tanamachi, Joseph East
  • USA
  • 2022
  • 17 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

After miscarrying her baby in prison due to shackling, Pamela Winn becomes an activist, leading thousands to support – and pass – the 2019 Georgia Dignity Act, which outlawed shackling of pregnant and postpartum inmates. Winn follows Pamela’s journey from prison to the halls of the state Capitol, from incarcerated person to outspoken law-changer, from powerless to empowered.

Three people are working in a garden during what appears to be the early morning, given the soft sunlight. They are all dressed in the same white garments while tending to the plants, which are in neat rows and supported by a wire structure. The lush greenery in the background suggests a fertile, well-maintained agricultural environment.

Seeds of Change

  • Maximilian Armstrong
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 27 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

An organic farmer in Maine sets out to transform the prison food system. Filmed over the course of two years, Seeds of Change chronicles the intersecting stories of lifelong farmer Mark McBrine and several incarcerated men as they grow their own food from a five acre prison garden unlike any other.

This image shows a behind-the-scenes view of a video production set. A video camera is in the foreground, focused on a person who is backlit against a large screen displaying colourful, stylized imagery resembling a landscape. The person's silhouette is also visible on the screen, indicating they might be performing or presenting. Monitors attached to the camera display the same image, allowing the crew to see what is being captured.

Janelle Niles: Inconvenient

  • Kelly Zemnickis, Cass Gardiner
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 9 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

Janelle Niles is a Black, Mi’kmaw, two-spirited woman from Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia and a stand-up comedian. Despite a tumultuous upbringing, Janelle embraces her biracial experience and queer identity, using stand-up to usher in a new era of inclusive, Canadian comedy.

  • English
  • Uplifting
The photo shows the lower half of an individual walking with the aid of a prosthetic leg. The person is wearing shorts, a single black sock, and black shoes. The flooring is a smooth, reflective surface, and there are handrails alongside, suggesting a rehabilitation facility or a space designed for physical therapy. The focus on the prosthetic leg highlights themes of mobility, recovery, and adaptive technology.

Fitting

  • Caitlin McMullan
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 11 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

Fitting explores the relationship between the director, an amputee, and her prosthetist during the making of a prosthetic leg. It demystifies an unfamiliar space and asks what it means to create an extension to someone else’s body, questioning prejudice widely seen within our society's consideration of body image.

Creative & Critical

These films foreground the power of performance and craft as means of sharing who we are, navigating relationships and making change.

This program is sponsored by

An individual with short curly hair is posing with one arm extended, wearing a black sleeveless top. They are outdoors, with a backdrop of greenery and urban structures, possibly on a rooftop. The person's expression is poised and serene, and the lighting suggests it could be late afternoon or early evening. The scene conveys a sense of calm confidence and the outdoors setting provides a relaxed atmosphere.

Maboungou: Being in the World

  • Marlene Millar, Philip Szporer
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 48 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Library

Dive into the resonant universe of Montréal-based choreographer and philosopher Zab Maboungou, of Franco-Congolese origin. For over thirty years, she has galvanized the contemporary dance scene with her radically regrounded conception of time, the body, and the self. Her political history, artistry, and pioneering research have empowered other African artists around the world.

 Guests in attendance, Q&A with Philip Szporer and Marlene Miller

Join us for a workshop with the creators of this film.
Performing Arts Documentary with Mouvement Perpétuel

  • English
  • Uplifting
Four individuals are seated around a dining table in a dimly lit room that suggests a vintage or historical setting. The warm glow from the windows, adorned with patterned stained glass, provides natural light. The room is decorated with patterned wallpaper, and there are traditional furnishings and decorations, including a cabinet and a clock on the wall, which contribute to the room's old-fashioned ambiance. The scene has a calm and intimate feel, with the focus on the people at the table, possibly engaged in conversation over a meal.

Demon Box

  • Sean Wainsteim
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 14 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

After festival rejections, a director revises his intensely personal short film about trauma, suicide, and the Holocaust. He transforms the film into a painful, blunt and funny dissection of itself, and of his own life. Ten years in the making.

Guests in attendance, Q&A with Sean Wainsteim

An individual with a beard and a receding hairline is sitting on a yellow couch, wearing a denim jacket over a yellow shirt. They are raising their right hand with an open palm towards the camera in a greeting or waving gesture. The person is smiling and looking directly at the camera. In the background, there's a bookshelf filled with books and a painting of a forest scene, suggesting a cozy, lived-in space. The lighting is bright and even, indicative of an indoor setting.

Dear Ani

  • Micah B Levin
  • USA
  • 2021
  • 38 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

For twenty-five years Keith Wasserman has made and delivered elaborate art mail packages - all in the hopes of befriending his muse. Dear Ani explores what can happen when you present your truest self, and risk total failure. It is an intimate account of psychotic mania, personal mastery, and creative triumph.

A group of people dressed in casual attire is gathered outdoors holding a banner that reads, "Women for Life on Earth Peace March '81". The banner features symbols of peace and the Earth. The setting is a sunny day with trees and open skies in the background.

Sew to Say

  • Rakel Aguirre
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 69 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 3:00 PM
  • Showplace

Thalia is an artist, banner-maker, and one of the original marchers and founders of a women-only peace camp against nuclear weapons. In this film, Thalia shares the untold story of the longest feminist protest in British history, and reflects on how collective action changed the lives of the women of Greenham Common and inspired several generations.

A person stands confidently in a power stance against a vibrant red background. They are dressed in a black leather jacket over a t-shirt with the phrase "Ignorance is Your Enemy" written on it, a short brown skirt, and thigh-high tan boots. Their right hand is on their hip and they wear a black beret with a gold emblem. Beside them is a placard leaning against their leg with "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" in bold letters. The environment suggests an urban setting, possibly a staged or artistic setup given the uniform red colour and lighting.

Orlando, My Political Biography

  • Paul B. Preciado
  • France
  • 2023
  • 98 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

In Orlando, My Political Biography theorist, critic, and curator Paul B. Preciado takes Virginia Woolf’s classic novel as a starting point for a bold, joyous reflection on the nature of contemporary trans life and a celebration of queerness.

  • French
  • Quirky, Uplifting

Shorts: Creative & Critical

An abstract artwork featuring a mix of textures and patterns. The central figure resembles a dark silhouette of a human profile against a background that includes elements of text, possibly from a map, overlaid with splatters, drips, and strokes of paint.

Ajjigiingiluktaaqtugut (We Are All Different)

  • Lindsay McIntyre
  • Canada
  • 2021
  • 17 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

What does it mean to be Inuk? Historically depicted as welcoming and friendly people in remote snowy landscapes, in reality, Inuit live across the globe. Using antique wind-up bears, layered animation, and analogue techniques, McIntyre constructs an animated documentary in an exploration of identity and belonging by Inuit, both in and outside of community.

Two puppet-like figures with painted faces and exaggerated makeup are positioned close together against a bokeh background with purple and blue hues. The figure on the left has black hair and pink makeup, while the one on the right has bright green hair and darker makeup around the eyes. The facial expressions are fixed and stylized, with a handmade quality to the crafting of their features.

Blush – An Extraordinary Voyage

  • Iiti Yli-Harja
  • Finland
  • 2022
  • 15 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

For 18-year-old Finnish–Kosovan Fatu, a simple visit to the grocery store feels as nerve-racking as a lunar expedition. For the first time in his life, he’s wearing makeup in public. Luckily his best friend Rai, a young woman on the spectrum of autism, is there to ferociously support him through the voyage.

Two individuals are sitting close together on a high ledge, looking out over a desert-like landscape with sand dunes stretching towards the horizon. The sky is a warm, hazy orange, possibly indicating either sunrise or sunset. The companionship between the two figures is emphasized by one person's arm around the other, suggesting a moment of shared experience or reflection in a vast and tranquil environment.

Madeleine

  • Raquel Sancinetti
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 15 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

Each week, two friends born 67 years apart share their life stories in the living room of a seniors' residence. When Raquel finds a way to bring Madeleine with her on a road trip to the sea, the result is a journey that plays with reality and fiction and brings a reflection on life, death and the certainty that there is always something to learn along the way.

Silhouetted against a light sky with faint mountain outlines, there is a large, stylized black cutout of a bear with white accents for the bear's eyes, nose, and mouth, giving it a stark, graphic appearance. In the lower left corner, a human hand is visible, holding the bottom edge of the bear silhouette.

Shitty Little

  • Jeff McKay, Takashi Iwasaki
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 7 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

This is a playful, poignant & very memorable live action animation, where humans take from forests whatever they desire - leaving nothing. Shitty Little is critical of a prevalent attitude in western culture that says there is no inherent value in nature, that it must be taken and shaped into a product for sale to have worth.

  • English
  • Quirky
A collage with a silhouette of a person with their head in their hands, suggesting despair or anxiety. Their body is filled with various images against a pixelated, digital background. The silhouette's head contains an image of a melting glacier, and in their eye glasses, a forest fire rages. The torso contains a turbulent tornado. The legs of the silhouette are filled with an image of a landfill showing scattered debris and a piece of machinery. The overall composition has a surreal or abstract quality, blending human form with environmental imagery.

Feeling the Apocalypse

  • Chen Sing Yap
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 7 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

From the disappearing wildlife in his hometown of Owen Sound to the news stories about the melting of Greenland, psychotherapist Anderson Todd tells us how fragmenting ecosystems around the world have affected his psyche and his relationships. Do the realities of collapse necessarily spell paralyzing despair, or is there something positive we can take from this?

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Chen Sing Yap

The image depicts an illustrated character wearing a traditional Anishinaabe headdress with a single feather extending upwards. The character has a solemn expression and has bright blue tears streaming down their face. Their left hand is placed over their chest, which is also glowing in blue light. They are set against a starry night sky, adding a serene or contemplative mood to the image. The character’s attire includes decorative elements and vibrant colours, suggesting a cultural or ceremonial significance.

Heart Like a Pow Wow

  • Chief Lady Bird
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 5 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

Heart Like A Pow Wow explores the depths of grief from an Anishinaabe perspective of love and family. Viewers are called to witness Spirit as they shift to physical form while embodying the love that precedes grief and inevitably foreshadows it.

  • English, French
A person wearing a cap, glasses, and a cross necklace is seated beside a large figure in a bear costume. The bear figure is standing on two legs, with one arm raised and the other extended forward, displaying claws. Both figures are set against a blue-tinted backdrop with silhouetted foliage, creating a surreal, nocturnal scene.

A Bear Named Jesus

  • Terril Calder
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 6 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

At Aunty Gladys’ funeral, Archer Pechawis heard a tap on the window -- it was a bear named Jesus. This film is an allegory for religious interference, with an aching yet humorous look at estrangement, and mourning for the loss of someone still living.

  • Cree, English, French
  • Quirky

Local Connections

A celebration of films made by or starring local voices.

This program is sponsored by

A person wearing glasses and a baseball cap is standing outside, arms crossed, with a slight smile on their face. They are looking off to the side, possibly at something out of the frame. The setting seems to be residential, as they are standing in front of a house with siding and a window reflecting the sky. It appears to be dusk, as the light is soft and a lamp next to the house is illuminated.

Kirby’s House

  • Rob Viscardis
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 18 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 5:15 PM
  • Showplace

For twenty years now, Kirby, who has an intellectual disability, has been living on his own and is thriving in his quaint little house on a colourful small-town street. He is surrounded by helpful neighbours and a unique support network that understands the power of community and belonging.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Rob Viscardis

A close-up of someone's hands over a sheet of paper with handwritten notes, likely lyrics or music notes, as suggested by the presence of a guitar in the background. The person has several rings on their fingers and is holding a pen, possibly in the process of writing or editing the notes. The setting appears to be a wooden table, with another sheet of paper and a mug partially visible in the background, creating a casual and creative atmosphere.

The Legacy Song Project: Atlantic Chapter

  • Aly Kelly
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 33 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 2:45 PM
  • Showplace

Featuring the profound stories of 8 Atlantic Canadians, and the work of musician Sarah McInnis, The Legacy Song Project: Atlantic Chapter explores death, dying, grief, loss, and love, through the transformational lenses of documentary film and songwriting.

A live performance with Sarah McInnis accompanies this screening.

  • English
  • Inspiring
The image is a composite with a layered visual effect. In the foreground, there is a semi-transparent overlay of a person's head and upper torso. The person has short hair, wears glasses, and is looking slightly to the right. The background is a dramatic scene with a fiery explosion near the bottom and lightning in the upper right corner against a dark, stormy sky. Overlaid text at the bottom of the image reads: "There are brilliant flashes of red, yellow and azure blue in the reaches of my grey matter." The overall effect is surreal, suggesting a dynamic and possibly tumultuous inner state.

Winding Our Way Home

  • Melissa Addison-Webster, Margie Camp
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 32 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 12:30 PM
  • Library

Winding Our Way Home explores a journey of creating short films with women who live with Brain Injuries. It is about their experiences of living with invisible disabilities, their sense of belonging and identity.

Guests in attendance, Q&A with Melissa Addison-Webster

  • English
A minimalist artistic illustration depicting a series of wavy, horizontal lines against a dark blue background, representing hills. Scattered across the hills are simple, triangular shapes that suggest trees. Above this tranquil scene, there are multiple round shapes with a textured appearance, representing moons or celestial bodies. The use of light greenish-yellow for these elements creates a striking contrast with the dark background, giving the impression of a night scene. The composition is serene, with a whimsical or dreamlike quality.

There Are Hierarchies of Grief

  • Meky Ottawa
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 5 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 8:00 PM
  • Showplace

Smokii Sumac reflects on the wisdom and strength of bereaved mothers, as he is faced with the grief of waking up to a changed world–the day after Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States. There have been mornings worse than this one.

  • English, French

Down to Earth

Staying grounded in the face of the climate crisis.

This program is sponsored by

A dog stands atop a vast landscape of debris under a hazy sky, with the sun low on the horizon casting a warm glow over the scene. The landfill is littered with varied waste, and the dog's silhouette is outlined against the bright backdrop of the sun. The atmosphere appears calm yet somber, with the desolation of the waste and the solitary figure of the dog creating a poignant contrast.

Plastic Fantastic

  • Isa Willinger
  • Germany
  • 2023
  • 102 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 2:45 PM
  • Market Hall

Our planet is permeated with plastic particles. This film follows several people who deal with the disposal of plastic, as well as its production. In the process, the system that causes the mountains of plastic to grow becomes apparent.

Register for the Virtual Q&A | Wednesday, Jan 31 at 10AM EST

An individual, likely a mature adult given the visible gray beard and wrinkles, is aiming a laser gun. The device is held up to their face, and their focused gaze is directed towards the target. They are wearing a gray beanie and a dark jacket, and the background is softly blurred with a clear sky, indicating an outdoor setting during the day. The device’s detailed mechanics are visible, emphasizing a the advanced technology.

Eco-Hack!

  • Josh Izenberg, Brett Marty
  • USA
  • 2021
  • 17 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 5:15 PM
  • Showplace

Deep in the Mojave desert, an unconventional field biologist wages a high-tech war against ravens - laser cannons, drones, exploding turtle shells - in a last ditch effort to save the last few desert tortoises from extinction.

A sunset over a desert cityscape with the sun low in the sky, casting a warm glow and creating a silhouette of the mountains in the background. There are outlines of buildings and palm trees against the light, and the foreground shows arid terrain with sparse vegetation typical of a desert. In the lower left corner, there's text that reads "HOW TO POWER A CITY," suggesting the image may be related to a documentary or educational content focusing on urban energy topics. The sky above is clear with minimal clouds, allowing the sunlight to dominate the scene.

How To Power A City

  • Melanie La Rosa
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 73 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 5:15 PM
  • Showplace

How to Power A City provides a front-row seat to communities battling fossil fuel dependence by bringing solar and wind projects to their hometowns. Filmed in six locations, the stories reveal how a diverse cast prevailed against myriad obstacles such as indifferent politicians, technical impasses, public ignorance, cost, and natural and manmade disasters. It is a solutions-focused climate story.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Melanie La Rosa

A jellyfish is floating in the water, its dome-shaped bell and trailing tentacles visible. The water around it is speckled with numerous small particles, suggesting plankton or organic debris. The jellyfish is a reddish-brown color, providing a contrast against the deep blue of the ocean. The scene captures the serene, yet alien beauty of marine life in its natural habitat.

Deep Rising

  • Matthieu Rytz
  • USA
  • 2023
  • 94 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 10:00 AM
  • Showplace

This exquisite fly-on-the-wall environmental doc is a gripping and up-to-the-minute tale of geopolitical, scientific, and corporate intrigue. It exposes the destructive machinations of an organization empowered to extract massive amounts of metals from the deep seafloor.

  • English
  • Visually Striking
An aerial image that captures a striking natural contrast between a turquoise blue body of water and a greyish, textured landscape possibly of sand or silt. In the water, a small figure in a kayak, provides a sense of scale, emphasizing the vastness of the surroundings. The water's vibrant hue suggests it may be rich in minerals or glacially fed, while the sinuous patterns in the grey area indicate the movement of water over time. The scene is serene and appears remote.

Losing Blue

  • Leanne Allison
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 15 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 10:00 AM
  • Showplace

What does it mean to lose a colour? Losing Blue is a cinematic poem about what it means to lose the otherworldly blues of ancient mountain lakes, now fading due to climate change. This short documentary gently asks what it might mean to forget that the ethereal blues of these lakes ever existed.

A person stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a breathtaking fjord. The turquoise water of the fjord contrasts sharply with the lush green slopes and the rugged, mist-covered mountain peaks that rise steeply on either side. Clouds partially shroud the mountains, adding a mystical quality to the landscape. The person appears small against the vastness of the natural surroundings, emphasizing the grandeur and scale of the scenery. The overall atmosphere is one of tranquility and awe-inspiring natural beauty.

Songs of Earth

  • Margreth Olin
  • Norway
  • 2023
  • 90 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 10:00 AM
  • Showplace

Songs of Earth is a majestic symphony for the big screen. The filmmaker’s father is our guide. Bringing us through Norway’s most scenic valley, he shows us where generations have been living alongside nature to in order to survive. The sounds of earth harmonize together to make music in this breathtaking journey.

  • Norwegian
  • Visually Striking

Shorts: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/ Curve Lake Storytelling

Six proud, diverse Curve Lake First Nation members share their Anishinaabe Knowledge to build relations and community both within Wshkiigmong/Curve Lake and between Wshkiigmong/Curve Lake and Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

This program is sponsored by

A person with long dark hair wearing a white sleeveless top and a patterned skirt is standing in a wooded area with lush greenery. They have their eyes closed and hands clasped over their chest in a gesture that suggests contemplation or serenity. Sunlight filters through the trees, highlighting the natural setting and the individual's peaceful pose.

“The Rez”

  • Sarah Lewis
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 4 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“Never forget me, remember me, this is your home.”
"The Rez" is so much more than the pain inflicted by settler-colonialism. Lewis speaks to her greater community, her love for their strength, and the fight they give to keep the community whole. Identity and community are vital; Lewis embraces both without compromise.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • Anishinaabemowin, English
Viewed through multiple circular vignettes, the image captures an individual engaged in the process of hide tanning. The person is wearing a red plaid jacket and a warm cap, indicating a cold environment with snow on the ground. They are using tools to scrape and work on the hide, which is stretched out on a frame. Each circular frame overlaps to create a collage effect, showcasing different stages or angles of the hide tanning process.

My Storytelling

  • Marg Knott
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 5 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“Using my hands are very important to me.”
Knott recounts her history, intertwined with her family and community through a motif of hands that work and create. Highlighting her mother’s highly skilled, detail-oriented, and artful moccasin-making, Knott continues that work of care. To love is to touch, forming a connection with the earth, and those you care for.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • Cree, English
A person stands outdoors holding a large feather and a decorated wooden box with a painted floral design. They are wearing a white button-up shirt, glasses, and have a pendant necklace of a tree. The environment includes a green tree, a house with a porch in the background, and foliage near the building's foundation. The person's expression is serious and they look directly at the camera.

My Beginnings

  • Marilyn Knott
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 6 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“You have the love and respect of your grandparents, and eventually that’s what you become.”
Knott explores her beginnings with family and love through their connection to one another, Land, water, plants, and animals. There is loss and reconnection, while also building courage “to take back my life.” The spiritual cycle continues.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • Anishinaabemowin, English
A group of individuals is seated at a long table set with a white tablecloth, in what appears to be a social gathering. On the table, there are candles, glasses, and dishes suggesting the meal is either in progress or has just concluded. The attendees are dressed in a variety of attire, ranging from formal to semi-formal. The atmosphere is convivial, with some individuals engaged in conversation. The background is a plain wall, giving the scene a simple and focused ambiance on the gathering.

The Best of Both Worlds

  • Carol Taylor
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 3 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“During my employment, I was able to learn my culture on a daily basis while coordinating programs with community workers and provincial agencies.”
Taylor offers a glimpse into her extensive work with the Anishinabek Nation (formerly Union of Ontario Indians) in implementing the Ontario Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy. During her involvement, Taylor witnessed the government’s acknowledgement of Traditional Healers and First Nations communities' reclaiming of their Anishinaabe Knowledge.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • English
Two turtles are basking in the sun on a log that extends across a tranquil body of water. The larger turtle is in the foreground with a distinct, patterned shell, and the smaller turtle is directly behind it. The surrounding water reflects the log, turtles, and the dense green foliage above, speckled with sunlight filtering through the leaves. Floating aquatic plants are scattered on the water's surface around the log.

Turtle Crossing

  • Jonathan Taylor
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 3 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“Now when I close my eyes, I see endless possibilities.”
Taylor recounts his deep reconnection to his Grandma Bernice during a very challenging time in his life. Through his family, Taylor regains a sense of self and community. Taylor’s story demonstrates the importance of connection and ancestry.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • Anishinaabemowin, English
Two individuals are holding hands against a sunset backdrop with a field of tall grasses. The sun is low on the horizon, silhouetting the figures and creating a warm glow that outlines their joined hands. The image captures a moment of connection or partnership in a serene, natural setting.

For the Little Girl who Dances from the South

  • Missy Knott
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 1 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

“I will not abandon you, like the systems abandoned me.”
Knott’s powerful voice explores her relationship with her identity and culture as she blooms into who she is becoming. This film demonstrates the growing strength of Knott’s Anishnaabe identity.

PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • English

Power & Resistance

Honoring those who stand in spite of the systems, structures and ideas designed to push them down.

This program is sponsored by

A person is standing in the center of a street with one fist raised high. The individual is wearing a dark beanie, a t-shirt, and jeans, and has a serious expression. The street is lined with various commercial buildings and cars are visible in both directions. The context of the raised fist, a symbol often associated with solidarity and support for a cause, suggests a moment of protest or statement. The image captures a sense of defiance or activism.

Detroit Will Breathe

  • Kate Levy
  • USA
  • 2021
  • 22 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 3:00 PM
  • Showplace

In the summer of 2020, Detroiters faced unprecedented police violence as they took to the streets to protest the killings of Black people across the country. Detroit Will Breathe provides an unprecedented look into the actions of the police and examines what it means to be part of an integrated movement fighting for Black lives.

A group of soccer players are huddled together, celebrating near the edge of the field. They are surrounded by vibrant flares and smoke, mostly in red, adding to the dramatic atmosphere. In the background, the crowd is animated, with some fans waving flags energetically. The scene is at night, under artificial lighting, and captures the energy and excitement typical of a soccer match.

Allihopa: The Dalkurd Story

  • Kordo Doski
  • Canada, Iraq, Sweden, USA
  • 2023
  • 90 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

The inspirational story of The Dalkurd Football Club, a scrappy group of Kurdish refugees in Sweden who defy all odds to climb the ranks of Sweden’s soccer leagues in hopes of becoming champions, and bringing glory and attention to the plight of their stateless people.

Register for the virtual Q&A | Wednesday, Jan 31 at 5:30PM EST

A dense crowd of people gathered at night on a city street, viewed from an elevated perspective. The black and white image captures the scene's high contrast, with streetlights illuminating the scene and a canopy tent visible in the distance. Buildings line the street and a spire looms in the background. The crowd's attention seems directed towards a point not visible in the image, possibly a stage or event out of frame.

Poisoned Well

  • Radek Ševčík
  • Slovakia
  • 2023
  • 14 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 8:00 PM
  • Market Hall

On October 12, 2022 a terrorist attack in Bratislava results in the death of innocent LGBTQ+ people. There is no political response. Through intimate interviews, Poisoned Well explores the emotional toll of fear and self-defense in the face of widespread homophobia.

  • Czech, Slovak
The interior of a vehicle with three individuals, captured seemingly from a dashboard camera. The face of the person in the front passenger seat is pixelated for privacy. In the back seat, one individual is leaning forward, looking at a map spread out over the center armrest, while another person in the back appears to be looking down, partially obscured from view. The individual examining the map has a beard and wears a dark jacket. The setting seems to be during the day, as daylight is visible through the car windows.

Manufacturing The Threat

  • Amy Miller
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 85 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 2:45 PM
  • Showplace

Manufacturing the Threat is a thrilling and emotional film, which examines a deeply disturbing episode in Canadian history when an impoverished couple was coerced by undercover law enforcement agents into carrying out a terrorist bombing. Further, viewers learn that this case is far from unique in the context of Canadian intelligence.

Guests in attendance, Q&A with Amy Miller

  • English
A swimmer is resting at the edge of a swimming pool, wearing a white swim cap with "R.O.T. MARDINI" printed on it alongside the Olympic rings and a logo for the brand "arena". The swimmer is leaning their arms on the poolside and has their face turned to one side, looking thoughtful or focused. Water droplets are visible on the swimmer's cap, indicating recent activity in the pool. The pool water has a bright blue color, which suggests an indoor setting with good lighting.

Long Distance Swimmer – Sara Mardini

  • Charly W. Feldman
  • Germany
  • 2023
  • 88 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Showplace

Sara Mardini, once a competitive swimmer in Syria, became Europe’s most celebrated refugee after saving 18 people’s lives. After working as a rescue volunteer in the Mediterranean, she is accused of people smuggling and faces a 25-year prison sentence. We follow her fight for justice and journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of Europe’s refugee ‘crisis’.

An adult and a child are walking hand in hand down a dusty rural path. The adult is wearing a white t-shirt with a logo, khaki pants, a cap, and sunglasses, and is carrying a backpack and a camera. The child is dressed in a striped school uniform and carrying a lollipop. In the background, there is a vehicle driving behind them. Beyond the vehicle stretches a landscape of rolling hills and sparse vegetation under a clear sky suggesting a warm, dry climate.

Sarura. The future is an unknown place

  • Nicola Zambelli
  • Italy
  • 2022
  • 80 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 5:15 PM
  • Market Hall

At the gates of the Negev desert, a group of young Palestinians fight against the Israeli military occupation. The "Youth of Sumud” - youth of steadfast perseverance - try to return to their people the land that was taken from their families, restructuring the ancient cave village of Sarura. They face aggression with nonviolent action, defending themselves from rifles with their video cameras.

Guest in attendance, Q&A with Nicola Zambelli

Sharp Angles

These films spotlight the power of documentary craft to invite new perspectives on people, events and experiences. They offer insight and ask you to really look.

This program is sponsored by

Hands wearing blue protective gloves are carefully handling a traditional "horn hat" with a red top and a decorative, patterned band. The person handling the hat is wearing a dark blue shirt and a red vest, suggesting they may be a professional conservator or curator in a museum setting. The focus on the gloves and the hat emphasizes the care being taken to preserve a culturally significant artifact.

Homecoming

  • Suvi West, Anssi Kömi
  • Finland
  • 2023
  • 77 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 3:00 PM
  • Market Hall

As museums begin to deal with their colonial history, filmmaker Suvi West takes the audience behind the scenes of the museum world, revealing a visual, philosophical, and spiritual realm. She seeks a connection with ancestors through old museum objects, eventually arriving at the collective pain points of the Sámi people.

  • Finnish, Other
A firefighter is walking through a desolate scene of devastation following a fire. The ground is charred and covered in ash, and there's smoke in the air, obscuring the visibility. Trees and structures appear to be badly burned, with some trees reduced to bare trunks. This image conveys the aftermath of a significant fire event, highlighting the destruction and the ongoing response by emergency services.

Lac-Mégantic

  • Philippe Falardeau
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 178 mins
  • Sun Jan 28
  • 12:30 PM
  • Library

From director Phillipe Falardeau, one of Canada’s most successful and acclaimed contemporary filmmakers, Lac-Mégantic investigates one of the worst oil train tragedies in history, a foreseeable catastrophe ignited by corporate and political negligence. The next Lac-Mégantic is not a matter of if, but when.

  • English, French
A close-up of a woman's back in a sauna, with water droplets cascading down their skin in a spray of light against a dark background. Sunlight filters through a window, highlighting the water's motion and creating a contrast with the shadows in the room. The focus on the water droplets gives the scene a dynamic and intimate quality.

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

  • Anna Hints
  • Estonia
  • 2023
  • 89 mins
  • Sat Jan 27
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

In the darkness of smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences. Through a sense of communion, women wash off the shame trapped in their bodies and regain their strength.

  • Estonian
  • Visually Striking
The image is a monochrome photograph of a child's hands interacting with magnets. The hands are small with youthful features, suggesting the person's young age. The magnets on the fingertips have attracted iron filings, which have clustered around the poles of the magnets, creating a visual display of the magnetic field lines. The activity seems to be an exploratory or educational play with the principles of magnetism.

Iron Butterflies

  • Roman Liubyi
  • Ukraine
  • 2023
  • 84 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Showplace

On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down by Russian forces over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. The attack was immediately questioned and obscured by the Russian government and media. As evidence piled up, the reality only became more shocking and incredible.

  • Dutch, English, Russian, Ukrainian

Shorts: Sharp Angles

A hand with the palm facing forward and fingers slightly apart, set against a backdrop of a rock surface with natural lines and crevices. The lighting is soft and dim, suggesting either early morning or late afternoon, with warm tones that give the skin a reddish hue, contrasting with the cooler tones of the rock. The focus is on the hand, which is centered in the frame, while the rock surface in the background is slightly blurred. The composition is simple and evocative.

There’s Not Much We Can Do

  • Erica Monde
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 19 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

In this personal essay documentary, the director reflects on getting diagnosed with endometriosis through observing the invasive Japanese Knotweed. While the plant is treated with urgency, the disease is met with inaction, prompting us to question the very things we consider “natural” in the first place.

A person stands on a balcony with their arms crossed, surrounded by graffiti-covered walls. Behind them, a cityscape with various buildings in different states of construction and maintenance is visible. The contrast between the neglected foreground and the bustling city background highlights a narrative of urban resilience and perhaps social issues. The sunlight casts shadows, adding to the gritty ambiance of the setting.

The Cities I Live In

  • Rabie Mustapha
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 11 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

Newly settled in Belfast, a filmmaker tells his infant twins about his life journey. They see him leaving one violent place for another, longing for places that he will never see again, and hoping they will not carry his curse.

A lone white plastic chair sits on a small, narrow balcony with green railings. The balcony is part of a building with a facade of large, beige stone tiles. The viewpoint is from an adjacent building, capturing the scene at a slight angle, which gives a voyeuristic glimpse into this quiet urban space.

A Short Film About a Chair

  • Ibrahim Handal
  • Palestine, State of
  • 2023
  • 10 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

A lonely chair on an abandoned balcony, a photographer watching it days and nights, a strange thing happens that will change the life of the chair for ever.

A close-up image of a goose with its beak open, revealing the unique structure of its mouth and tongue. The serrated edges inside the beak are visible. The goose's black head with white markings is distinctive, and the texture of its feathers can be seen in detail. The background is blurred.

Modern Goose

  • Karsten Wall
  • Canada
  • 2023
  • 22 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

Able to navigate by reading the Earth’s magnetic field, at home on land, air and water, geese straddle the territory between ancient instincts and the contemporary world. Combining beauty, humour and profound empathy, director Karsten Wall’s exquisitely observed film essay follows the daily life of these iconic animals to reveal a deeper message of continuity and connection.

A black and white photograph of two individuals at a dining table, one of whom is in focus. The person in focus is seated and looking contemplatively to the side, not directly engaging with the other person, who appears to be gesturing with their hand to their head. Above the table hangs a pendant lamp, casting a soft light on the scene. The table has a few items on it, including a clear pitcher, a martini glass, and some drinking glasses, suggesting a social or dining setting. The mood is reflective, with attention drawn to the expressions and body language that suggest a serious or intimate conversation.

Halves & Doubles

  • Adam Mbowe
  • Canada
  • 2021
  • 15 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

Despite the close bond between Adam and her sibling Khadija, there is trauma unspoken between them. In this short documentary, the two hold a conversation where they attempt to find mutual understanding through the winding road of expressing emotions.

  • English
Close-up of the left side of a person's face, focusing on a clear blue eye. The image captures detailed textures such as skin and eyelashes, with the rest of the face softly out of focus. The background is indistinct, providing a neutral setting that highlights the eye.

Clean

  • Miranda Stern
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 19 mins
  • Fri Jan 26
  • 10:00 AM
  • Market Hall

One woman’s love letter and final goodbye to heroin, as she attempts to come off the synthetic opiates that have kept her clean for the past six years. This short documentary attempts to reframe some of the stigmas of addiction, and poses the following question: what does it mean to be ‘clean’?

Panels, Performances & Workshops

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OPENING NIGHT

  • Thu Jan 25
  • 7:00 PM
  • Showplace
Buy Tickets

(This is a separately ticketed event.) 
In addition to the screening of opening night film Boil Alert, this event will feature live performance and special guest speakers. This evening sets the tone and celebrates what’s to come. Don’t miss this inaugural gathering and jam packed event featuring an incredibly impactful film that examines water issues of vital importance to our community.

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LIVE PERFORMANCE: Sarah McInnis

  • Sun Jan 28
  • 2:45 PM
  • Showplace

Following the screening of The Legacy Song Project: Atlantic Chapter, which captures stories about the universal experiences of loss and how songwriting can be used as a bridge to connect us with our loved ones, join us for a selection of songs performed live by film subject Sarah McInnis. 

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WORKSHOP: Performing Arts Documentary with Mouvement Perpétuel

  • Sat Jan 27
  • 10:00 AM
  • PTBO Library
Reserve w/ Pass or Buy Tickets

Presented in collaboration with Public Energy Performing Arts, Filmmakers Philip Szporer and Marlene Millar, creators of Maboungou: Being in the World, host this workshop for anyone interested in the intricacies of the creative process. This full day workshop will Illustrate a variety of approaches, cover interview techniques and research strategies, and invite exploration into alternative ways of revealing documentary ideas. Don’t miss this chance to share your creativity. Bring your camera or your smartphone. Notebooks are always handy. Limited spaces available, no experience required.

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PANEL: Impact of Basic Income

  • Fri Jan 26
  • 3:00 PM
  • PTBO Library

As the benefits of a Guaranteed Basic Income are currently debated in the Senate, A Human Picture directors Simon Brothers and Luke Mistruzzi, Ontario’s basic income pilot participant and activist, Jessie Golem, and author and activist Jamie Swift, will join in a conversation about the connection between poverty, inadequate social safety nets, and a guaranteed livable income. Please join us as together we imagine a more secure and just future for us all. Co-presented and moderated by Basic Income Network Peterborough.

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PANEL: Wshkiigmong Dibaajmownan/Curve Lake Storytelling

  • Sat Jan 27
  • 12:30 PM
  • Market Hall

Immediately following the screening of their work, join us in honouring and hearing more from six proud, diverse Curve Lake First Nation members, Carol Taylor, Marg Knott, Marilyn Knott, Jonathan Taylor, Missy Knott, and Sarah Lewis, who share their Anishinaabe Knowledge to build relations and community both within Wshkiigmong/Curve Lake and between Wshkiigmong/Curve Lake and Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

Panel moderated by Dr. Nadine Changfoot and Elder Alice Olson Williams. This event also features a performance by dance artist Kelli Marshall.

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WORKSHOP: Period Poverty & Advocacy

  • Tue Jan 30
  • 7:00 PM
  • Virtual Theatre
Watch Now (until Feb 4th)

Periods are political! Learn how you can be an advocate for menstrual equity.

At The Period Purse, we believe in educating all ages and all genders in order to reduce the stigma around periods. Join this inclusive, period-positive presentations delivered virtually by trained facilitators for adults, Grade 12 and above.

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PERFORMANCE: Unstaged by Dreda Blow

  • Sat Jan 25
  • 7:30 PM
  • Market Hall
Reserve w/ Pass or Buy Tickets

Dreda Blow’s Unstaged is a short dance exploring the rigours and triumphs of working as a professional ballet dancer, the inevitable ‘final bow’, and the identity-crisis that follows. With humour and heartbreak, Dreda reflects on what has been fulfilled, what has been expressed, and what she still needs to say. Dreda Blow is a dancer, choreographer and arts educator. Following a 14-year ballet career in Europe she moved with her family to Peterborough where she continues to teach, perform and create new work.

This performance follows the screening of Unbound and Big Moves.
Photo credit: Martin Bell. Dreda performing Beatrice in David Nixon’s Ondine.

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PANEL: Human Rights, Solidarity, and Resistance (from Turtle Island to Palestine)

  • Sat Jan 25
  • 4:45 PM
  • ReFrame Virtual Theatre

Individual tickets for non-pass holders
Virtual: (Available worldwide): $5 or PWYC

Join Belleville Justice and Peace, Nogojiwanong2Palestine and Jews 4 Free Palestine for a panel discussion following the screening of Grandpa Rolf, Lights of Hope and No Other Land.

Featuring Palestinian and Jewish activists and scholars:

Karen Isaacs

Karen is the co-founder and co-director of Solidarity of Nations – Achvat Amim. Karen has worked for many years in direct action in support of the people of Masafer Yatta, the subject of this film. Her work with Achvat Amim focuses on building partnership between diverse communities through mutual learning and solidarity.

Aseel Zahran 

Aseel is a Palestinian peacebuilding practitioner and critical pedagogy designer.

Mohammad Al-Hroub

Mohammad is a Palestinian who has recently returned to Peterborough. A graduate of Trent University, Mohammad and his brother Anas run Wadi Fine Foods at the downtown market.

Feyzi Baban

Feyzi is the Chair of Global Justice and Development at Trent University. He specializes in global comparative politics and critical theories of international relations.

Moderated by:

Peter Boullata

A Palestinian born in Jerusalem and raised in Montreal, Peter is an ordained minister currently doing doctoral studies in psychotherapy and spiritual care. A pastor, a bookseller, and a writing tutor and teacher, Peter has an avid interest in post-colonialism, liberation movements, and the spirituality of cultural resistance.

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WORKSHOP: Islamic Geometric Pattern with Gillian Turnham

  • Thu Jan 30
  • 1:00 PM
  • Artspace / ReFrame Virtual Theatre

Individual tickets for non-pass holders
In-Person: $15 or PWYC | Virtual (Available worldwide): $5-$10 or PWYC

Geometry plays a fundamental role in a vast array of traditional Artforms. For millennia, creators have used geometry to materialise their subjects according to their deeper, archetypal nature. In the Islamic tradition, geometric art is central. Tessellating geometric patterns are used to ornament architecture, textiles and manuscripts across the Islamic world.

In this workshop, we will be studying the hexagonal geometry used in this year’s ReFrame Festival design; expanding its concepts to create a classic twelvefold Islamic star pattern. Participants will learn to apply traditional ruler-and-compass construction techniques to establish a twelvefold grid structure and create a tessellating pattern on paper. We will work methodically, step by step, reflecting upon the mathematical concepts and significance as we see our pattern emerge.

This workshop is open to participants of all levels – no prior experience with geometric drawing is required.

Registration is required for the in-person workshop (3 hours), limited attendance. Stairs are a barrier to access for the in-person workshop. You may also follow along as Gillian creates this pattern in an instructional video included in the ReFrame Virtual Program. Materials required for the Virtual Workshop: drawing paper (11x14in), compass (recommended: Staedtler brand, 6in min) ruler (16in min), Pencil (2H or harder), pencil sharpener, and eraser.

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WORKSHOP: Understanding and Navigating Our Chaotic Information Environment

  • Wed Jan 29
  • 7:00 PM
  • ReFrame Virtual Theatre

Individual tickets for non-pass holders
Virtual: (Available worldwide): $15 or PWYC

Craig Silverman, a national reporter with ProPublica and expert in online disinformation, will provide an overview of how digital information is manipulated to deceive and scam people, and how we can defend against it. Craig Silverman, and themes related to this workshop, are featured in The Click Trap.

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SPECIAL EVENT: Stargazing and Microcredential

  • Sat Feb 1
  • 5:30 PM
  • Gzowski College
Reserve w/ Pass or Buy Tickets

Individual tickets for non-pass holders
In-Person: $15 or PWYC

To pre-register for the post-screening Stargazing, click HERE, and then click “Order Tickets.” There are only 25 spaces for this portion of the evening, so don’t delay!

For the Firekeeping, please meet at the Tipi at Trent University’s Gzowski College at 5:30PM. The film screening will begin in the Enwayaang (the big yellow building) room #114 at 6:30PM.

Stargazing and Microcredential

Join ReFrame and First Peoples House of Learning for this Special Event!

Firekeeper Drop-In 
5:30-6:30pm

Visit with and hear from the firekeepers at the Tipi located at Gzowski College at Trent University.
Attendance is not ticketed, but will be recorded for anyone participating in the Microcredential.*

Wilfred Buck 
6:30-8:30pm

Stargazing Workshop 
8:30-9:00pm 

Following the film, join us outside for stargazing with Kai Recollet and William Kingfisher followed by Waaseyabanokwe Song, performed by Kerry Bebee and Edite Pine.

The cost of this workshop is included with a ReFrame Hybrid or In-Person Pass. Space is limited, so registration for the stargazing workshop is required – even for Pass-holders!

*Microcredential
This special event is being offered as half of a two-part Microcredential. In order to qualify for the Microcredential, individuals must attend the firekeeper drop-in, as well as the screening and the stargazing workshop (registration is only required for the stargazing workshop). The second half of the Microcredential is the training entitled “Just Get Over It”, offered by First Peoples House of Learning. An opportunity to participate in this training and complete the Microcredential will follow the festival. Those who have already completed the “Just Get Over It” training may participate in this special event in order to qualify for the Microcredential.

To find out more about the micro-credential click here:  Just Get Over It with FPHL – Careerspace – Trent University

Payment is required for parking at Gzowski College.

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PANEL: The Backwoodsman, Logging Algonquin, The Wild Path Home

  • Fri Jan 24
  • 5:00 PM
  • ReFrame Virtual Theatre

Individual tickets for non-pass holders
Virtual: (Available worldwide): $5 or PWYC

This panel of local filmmakers and subjects focuses on themes of past, present and future relations to our local forest ecosystems. Following the screening of The Backwoodsman, Logging Algonquin and The Wild Path Home don’t miss this conversation with Nick van der Graaf, Conor Devries, Mike Henry, Anne-Marie Jackson, Cathy Dueck, Jacob Rodenberg and Nancy Thompson. Moderated by Ian Attridge.

Installations & Drop In Events

Animation, Puppetry, Performance: All Ages Drop-In

  • Sun Jan 28
  • 11:00 AM
  • Showplace Studio

Leading up to our closing night feature, Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe, join local creators for this hands on drop-in event. Explore activity stations inspired by the work of Ernie Coombs, and filmmakers’ creative engagements across the program. In collaboration with the Artspace Maker Space and featuring local puppeteer and performer, Brad Brackenridge, and local filmmaker, Rob Viscardis.

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INSTALLATION: Underlying

  • Fri Jan 5
  • 7:00 PM
  • Artspace PTBO

Runs until February 24th at Artspace. This this a free event open to the public.

Laurel Paluck, 2022, salvaged plastic, wire, LED lights, rug, throw cushions, seating, digital audio collage

Underlying is an exploration of the emotions we experience as we contemplate the concept and realities of climate change. In Laurel’s words, “I wonder where our hearts and minds are as individuals, as a community, and as a society as we move towards irreversible ecological changes. Are we in a state of shock? Are we scared, angry or ashamed? Are we grieving? Are we just now awakening to the situation?” By asking these questions and sharing our responses with a variety of individuals and communities, Laurel believes we can learn important things about how we process realities, discover ways to cope, and find balance with each other and with our world.

A group of twenty-two individuals of various attire are seated and standing on a fallen tree trunk over a body of frozen water, likely a lake or pond. The setting appears to be a cold day, as many individuals are wearing jackets, hats, and gloves. Bare trees and evergreens are visible in the background, suggesting a winter or late autumn season. The lighting suggests either early morning or late afternoon. There is no visible snow, but the ice on the water indicates freezing temperatures.

INSTALLATION: Imagine: The City We Want

  • Downtown Peterborough
Watch Now (until Feb 4th)

In connection with Nogojiwanong/Peterborough’s current Climate Action Plan update, Kawartha Pine Ridge’s Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) class has created a series of 2 minute video vignettes describing the fabulous city they live in, in 2044. These videos are available via QR code in several downtown locations leading up to and during the festival: Art Gallery of Peterborough, Artspace, GreenUP, Market Hall, Peterborough Public Library and Showplace. Encounter these acts of civic imagination and see how 20 years of ambitious and creative action by the city, initiated by the progressive Plan update work of 2024, have created an attractive and livable city that has embraced climate justice.

These films will also be available online from Jan 29th-February 4th

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INSTALLATION: A Sound That Never Was by Dim Coast

  • Artspace

A Sound That Never Was is a multi-channel sound installation curated by The Dim Coast (jake moore & Steve Bates). It features sound by 14 artists; Félicia Atkinson, Matthew Cardinal, Raven Chacon, crys cole, Isabella Forciniti, David Grubbs, Timothy Herzog, Sasha J. Langford, Mani Mazinani, Christof Migone, Marc-Alexandre Reinhardt, Anju Singh, Aho Ssan, Mark Templeton, voice recording by Vivian Darroch-Lozowski, and text by Daniela Cascela.
This project began as an encounter with the book Voice of Hearing, written by Vivian Darroch-Lozowski, first published in 1984. The sensorial slippage of its title and how the reader is brought into being in the hearing-reading of its text suggested the form for this project.
A Sound That Never Was is produced with a new digital instrument that generates a score writ from software code modulated by weather data and seismic activity. The score parses the library’s sound files authored by this chorus of artists, played out in arrangements determined by the vibrancy of the world in a particular place at the moment of their selection. The precise arrangements, understood as relationality between the world, the machines of production, transmission, reception, locality, and the artists’ original gestures – perform a sound that never was before and never will assemble exactly thus again.
For more information visit artspaceptbo.ca

Schedule of Films & Events
Virtual On Demand Films

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ReFrame Film Festival