As a fierce advocate for human rights, Rosalie Abella casts a long shadow. This lively documentary explores her life and career trajectory, including her successes as an attorney and judge, culminating with her historic appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada, which made her both the first refugee and first Jewish person ever to sit on the country’s highest court. With Rosalie already being an icon and inspiration to many, this portrait also places a focus on Rosalie’s unique personality, style and love of life that carries through all that she does.

Featuring interviews with Margaret Atwood, Brian Mulroney, Joe Clark and, of course, Rosalie herself, this critically-acclaimed film from Barry Avrich is the perfect introduction to one of Canada’s most important figures.

A compelling and propulsive dystopian thriller grounded in an allegory for the residential school system, Night Raiders is the story of Niska (Tailfeathers), a Cree mother in an impossible situation. As she travels across a war-torn Turtle Island (North America), she is caught in a desperate attempt to save her daughter from a state-run forced re-education camp. With the world against her, Niska joins forces with a group of underground resistance fighters seeking to free their children and save their future.

Anchored by an incredible lead performance from Tailfeathers along with a stellar supporting cast, this powerful and heartfelt debut feature from Danis Goulet premiered at TIFF in 2021 and was nominated for eleven Canadian Screen Awards, winning six, including Best Original Screenplay.

“Night Raiders should become the most talked-about Canadian film of the year. And for good reason.” – Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail

A funny and fresh English-language adaptation of the 2003 Quebecois comedy La grande séduction, this film tells the tale of a small fishing village in Newfoundland that must secure a new doctor in order to keep the community alive.

When city doctor Paul Lewis (Kitsch) arrives for a court-ordered trial residence, the townsfolk rally to charm and hoodwink him into staying. Under the guidance of an unemployed fisherman (Gleeson), they go to hilarious lengths to fabricate all the amenities of the big city and make it seem as though their sleepy town has everything Dr. Lewis could possibly want. Will the good doc fall for their tricks, or will he see through them to the truth about small town life?

In this powerful follow-up to his acclaimed documentary Sharkwater, Rob Stewart discovers that sharks aren’t the only ones in danger — climate change has a devastating impact on human life as well. Using striking imagery, Stewart demonstrates the damage that has already been done while simultaneously finding hope in the dedicated and passionate youth whose efforts are changing our future for the better.

Featuring the beautiful cinematography that defined Stewart’s filmmaking, this is an inspiring activist documentary that offers a clear vision for a healthier planet, and the actions we can take as individuals to make that happen.

“Accessible, understandable and beautifully shot” – Frank Lovece, Film Journal International

Leon Bronstein (Baruchel) isn’t an average Montreal high school student. For one thing, he’s convinced that he is the reincarnation of early-20th-century Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. When Leon starts a hunger strike in his father’s (Rubinek’s) clothing factory, he is sent to public school as punishment.

Leon sets out to change the world, immediately butting heads with his new principal (Feore). Getting his apathetic peers to stand up to the school’s repressive administration proves more difficult than Leon first imagines, leading him to resort to some extreme and often hilarious tactics.

“The most genuine, authentic, legitimately funny teen movie since Heathers or John Hughes’ movies.” — Jane Stevenson, Sun Media

As the longtime presenter of The Nature of Things, David Suzuki has inspired audiences around the world to rethink their relationship with the planet, and to combat climate change. In this captivating portrait, candid and deeply personal interviews reveal a previously unseen side to this passionate environmentalist.

Featuring stunning cinematography, a moving story, and an urgent call to action, this film perfectly captures everything that has made Suzuki such a beloved figure.

“...a crowd-pleaser for a reason: it’s grandly inspirational.” – Brian D. Johnson, Maclean’s 
 

Jesse and Karen, a young couple trying to navigate the socio-political turmoil of the late 60s, find themselves pulled in opposite directions. Jesse, a passionate underground newspaper editor in Montreal, wants to radically change society in a way that leaves him completely at odds philosophically with his friend David, a spiritualist American draft-dodger. But when Karen develops an attraction to David, she chooses to stay with him in Montreal, while Jesse travels to the 1968 Democratic convention to witness history first-hand.

Perfectly capturing this iconic era through a brilliant blending of fiction and incredible documentary footage, this eye-opening classic was one of the first Canadian films to break out on the international festival circuit, garnering awards and critical acclaim.

In the face of tremendous social pressure to back down, Ranjit, a farmer in rural India, pursues a conviction against the men who raped his 13-year-old daughter. Through the intimate, powerful story of this family’s efforts to get justice, the film shines a light on gender-based violence in a country where rape is frequently reported and rarely convicted. 

To Kill a Tiger was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, and earned TIFF’s award for the Best Canadian Film of the 2022 festival. 

Pahuja’s film pulls no punches in its determination to help bring down the long-standing thinking that has compounded the cruelties faced by countless women in Kiran’s unfortunate position. – Peter Sobczynski, RogerEbert.com 

In 2002, members of the Chinese religious group Falun Gong hijacked the feed of a state TV network to protest the government’s ongoing persecution of religious minorities. Using incredible animation by comic book artist Daxiong, this gripping documentary reveals the untold story of how they pulled off this daring act of rebellion, and their subsequent fight for freedom.

Telling a story that is both incredibly personal and grand in scope, Eternal Spring won the Audience Choice Award at the Hot Docs festival, and was selected as the Canadian submission for the Academy Awards in 2022.

“Distinctively incisive on an emotional level, the film applauds the bravery of its participants to relive a painful shared trauma and create a permanent testament of what they endured.” 

– Carlos Aguilar, The Los Angeles Times