mouvance (2023)
Composed and directed by Jérôme Blais
Developed by Jérôme Blais and Suzie LeBlanc
A multimedia experience combining several short films with live music.
"mouvance… always further you say… until the end of the world… and the end of the world is blue…" - Gérald Leblanc (1945-2005)
"These words, by the Acadian poet Gérald Leblanc are at the basis of a multimedia adventure Suzie LeBlanc and myself have been developing since 2016. They express the feelings that Suzie and I have been cherishing for a long time and that have led to a very intense artistic collaboration." - Jérôme Blais
Soprano: Suzie LeBlanc
Piano: Carl Philippe Gionet
Cello: Norman Adams
The Queen of My Dreams (2024)
Written and directed by Fawzia Mirza
Azra is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. Following a tragedy, she finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey to Pakistan - guided by memories of her mother's youth in Karachi and her own coming-of-age in rural Canada.
Stars: Amrit Kaur, Nimra Bucha, Hamza Haq
"Taking place in the "present" of 1999 as well as 1980's Nova Scotia and 1960's Karachi, Mirza's film feels borne of memory, fantasy, and nostalgia, and displays a loving reverence for its cultural specificities and intergenerational narrative."
'The Queen of My Dreams' is a love story for the ages - marie claire magazine/Radhika Menon
"At its heart, director Fawzia Mirza's theatrical debut is a coming-of-age queer drama. But it's also a poignant love letter to mothers and daughters, a cautionary tale about intergenerational trauma, and a cinematic feat showcasing 1960s Pakistani culture"
Apex: The Black Masters (2024)
Written and directed by Brittney Gavin and Amy Mielke
Over fifty years the Apex Invitational Golf Tournament has grown into a community celebration that breaks barriers, showcases athletes, and acts as an annual homecoming for Truro's Black community.
Featuring: Jude Clyke, Nicole Jackson, Darrell Maxwell
“Following the legacy of a group of determined individuals, Apex: The Black Masters captures a story of resilience and resistance in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia where a group of badass Black golfers took up their clubs and created the first-ever all-Black golfing tournament in the province, changing Canadian history forever."
To The Moon (2024)
Written and directed by Kevin Hartford
Sam is a single parent who, faced with an impending empty nest, has to figure out who he is outside of being a dad, and whether or not that involves coming out of the closet after nearly four decades nestled safely within it. His daughter, Ella, is struggling to navigate the treacherous waters of teenagerhood at a new school while dealing with a father who needs more guidance than she does. Their curious new neighbour, Claire, has recently abandoned her corporate life to pursue a career as a writer, and her attempts to mine inspiration from the father-daughter team next door lead to some surprising revelations about her future from some wildly unexpected sources. And all three of these people are doing their best to prevent the moon from crashing into the earth.
Stars: Jacob Sampson, Phoebe Rex, Amy Groening
Lakeview (2024)
Written and directed by Tara Thorne
When a queer friend group unites for a girls' weekend celebrating a divorce, their old feelings, new relationships, and shifting dynamics crash into each other in the shadow of summer's dying light.
Stars: Lesley Smith, Nicole Steeves, Kathryn McCormack
Darcy (Lesley Smith) is freshly divorced and celebrating it with a party at her lakehouse with her closest friends. Attending are: The Julies, Julien (Kat McCormack) and Julie Anne (Stephanie Clarke), who have a surprise for the group; Lauren (Nicole Steeves), who’s brought along her much-younger girlfriend Phoebe (Faly Mevamanana) for the first time; Lucy (Jessica Marie Brown), who’s just been dumped and is self-medicating through the grief; and Dax (Hilary Adams), the famous indie-rock musician who’s chosen this weekend to shoot her long-quivered shot with Darcy.
"Lakeview is a celebration of the power (and damage) of familiarity, what happens when lessons learned don’t lead to patterns broken, and how one song can change everything you know."
Sharp Corner (2024)
Written by Jason Buxton and Russell Wangersky
Directed by Jason Buxton
A troubled man begins to spiral, consumed by the fatal car crashes caused by the sharp corner in front of his house. As his sick obsession takes hold, he places his wife and son in jeopardy, threatening to permanently break the family apart.
Stars: Ben Foster, Cobie Smulders, William Kosovic
"Sharp Corner offers a gripping examination of obsession and moral overreach, set against the backdrop of a seemingly ordinary suburban life. With Buxton's sharp direction and a powerhouse performance by Foster, the film promises to be a thrilling and thought-provoking watch. It's a psychological ride that questions how far one should go to save others, and at what cost."
Au travers (2024)
Directed by Béatriz Mediavilla
A poetic portrait of the Acadian artist Monique Léger. A transmission of Authentic Movement as a driving force for transcending death.
Performer: Monique Léger
"This portrait of Monique Léger seemed to me to be important because of the scope of her work in relation to dance and movement on the one hand, and our
relationship with the body today on the other. Indeed, despite the pressure of body appearances today, I believe that everyone should be allowed to be as
they are, in a deeply legitimate way, and to move according to their needs. Monique Léger's approach is all the more important as it is also situated in the
Acadian territory, which also embodies linguistic and, by extension, bodily insecurity. Finally, inhabiting one's body and using movement seemed to me an
interesting way of transcending death. The device of the filmed diary seemed an appropriate one for exploring her work." - Béatriz Mediavilla
Wave Theory (2024)
Directed by Brandon Boyd
From an interview with Brandon Boyd posted on Autism NS website...
Wave Theory: Profiling Autism through Art
'Wave Theory' is a poignant exploration of autism through the lens of Leona Burkey, a musician and mother of an autistic son. Through this project, Boyd aims to shed light on the diverse experiences within the autism community, using his platform to amplify voices that often go unheard.
A Message for Aspiring Filmmakers: Be Yourself
Boyd’s advice for those interested in filmmaking is simple yet profound: “Believe in the story.” Emphasizing the importance of authenticity, he urges aspiring filmmakers to be true to themselves, reject stereotypes, and stay firm in their identity. For those on the spectrum pursuing a career in entertainment, Brandon encourages them not to let others define them or change who they are.
Monica's News (2024)
Written and directed by Pamela Gallant
"Monica's News" is the debut feature film from writer/director Pamela Gallant. The film is a dark drama about the loss of innocence, set in 1974 in the outlying Nova Scotia village of Millman. Gutsy and idealistic nine-year-old Casey Richards discovers income and independence with her new paper route, but witnesses a traumatic event when her teenage cousin and idol, Monica, rebels against her religious father Chester.
Stars: Polly Gallant-McLean, Elisa Paszt, Kevin Kincaid
Women of This Land (2024) [a series of four short films]
Directed by Stephanie Joline
Written by Stephanie Joline and Jackie Torrens
Resilient Indigenous women from Atlantic Canada share stories highlighting their cultural richness, connection to land, and heritage.
Jennie Williams (Newfoundland)
Whether through the meticulous art of sewing traditional clothing, the ancient practice of throat singing, or the visual storytelling in her photography, Jennie shares her gifts with unwavering enthusiasm. As a dedicated teacher, she creates meaningful connections with others, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Chief Darlene Bernard (Prince Edward Island)
The film touches on the personal tragedy of the 60s Scoop, where Chief Bernard's sisters were taken away while she was left behind. Contemplating the meaning of her destiny, the Chief grapples with the profound impact of being left on the island, even as some of her family members remain unknown to her.
shalan joudry (Nova Scotia)
The film captures her live performances as a poet and an oral storyteller, showcasing the power of storytelling as a form of cultural preservation. Her love for the land is palpable and inspiring, evident in every story she shares. It interweaves shalan's ecological perspectives with her cultural narratives, illustrating the profound connection between the land's well-being and its people's spiritual healing.
Dr. Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs (New Brunswick)
Imelda passionately shares her personal odyssey of reclaiming and safeguarding her ancestral language, a mission that has become the defining purpose of her life. Witness her unwavering commitment to preserving the linguistic heritage of the Wolastoqey people, ensuring its passage to future generations and the enduring survival of the Wolastoqey language.
Short Films will be listed below here once selected