Art and Culture

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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 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

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

Art and Culture

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