Happy National Canadian Film Day! Today, as we celebrate Canadian cinema, OYA Black Arts Coalition is excited to shine a spotlight on some remarkable Black Canadian films that deserve recognition.
1. “Going Home”
Going Home will be making it’s world premiere at the 14th Annual Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival April 17-20! Big applause to the team who put their effort into making this film!
With the opportunity of a lifetime on the line, headstrong Kaya reaches out to her estranged mother for help, an entanglement that leads to a journey of understanding and healing through hair.
Written and Directed by Janeece Niles
Producers: Ebony Green, Ettienne Nxumalo
Executive Producers: Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George
Composer: Derek Brin
Cinematographer: Ashley Iris Gill
Editor: Ri-Ann Pully
Featuring Lead Actors Jarena Lee, Londa Larmond
2. “A Mother Apart”
A Mother Apart will have its world premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
Poet, lesbian, warrior, mother… daughter, Staceyann Chin reimagines the essential art of mothering in A Mother Apart, a feature documentary by Laurie Townshend.
Co-production of OYA Media Group & National Film Board of Canada
𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Friday, April 26, 7:45 pm – World Premiere: SOLD OUT
Sunday, April 28, 11:15am
Edited by Sonia Godding Togobo
Motion Designer Ramón Charles
Music Composed by Tom Third
Vocals by SATE
Associate Producer Elise Whittington
Development Producer Lea Marin
Production Managers Nina Beveridge, Fonna Seidu
Story Editor Ricardo Acosta
Featuring Staceyann Chin & Zuri Chin
Directed by Laurie Townshend
Produced by Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George, Justine Pimlott
Executive Producers Chanda Chevannes, Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George, Anita Lee
Written by Laurie Townshend, Alison Duke
Directors of Photography Mrinal Desai, Ashley Iris Gill, Gabriela Osio Vanden
3. “Fitriya: Muslim on and off the Court”
Fitriya: Muslim On and Off The Court” is a captivating short documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of Fitriya Mohamed, a Muslim female athlete and the visionary behind the Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League. The film showcases Fitriya’s pursuit of finding a safe & women-only space for female-identifying Muslim Youth to play basketball in Toronto from the east to the west.
Featuring Fitriya Mohamed, Melissa Mcletchie, Nazie Shakur
Edited By Ian Simon
Cinematographer Jessica De Los Santos
Executive Producer Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George
Produced By Safa Ali Mudei
Written and Directed by Selina McCallum and Safa Ali Mudei
Learn more about the documentary here
4. “Reel Black: Our Film Stories ”
In an exploration of Black Canadian filmmaking, emerging filmmakers Christian Anderson and Ajahnis Charley quickly discover the realities of the industry. Through insights from veteran filmmakers such as Claire Prieto-Fuller, the young filmmakers learn that sometimes if you aren’t given a seat at the table, you have to make your own.
Created By Tristen Sutherland, Alexx Bryant , Ayan Tani, Émeraude Domingos Mbuku, Leilah Dhoré, Enni Balo
Directed By Ayan Tani, Émeraude Domingos Mbuku, Tristen Sutherland
Written By Tristen Sutherland, Émeraude Domingos Mbuku, Ayan Tani
Producers Alexx Bryant, Tristen Sutherland, Enni Balo
Executive Producers Ngardy Conteh George, Alison Duke
Director Of Photography Leilah Dhoré
Director Of Photography Mentor Mark Valino
Edited By Adam Phipps, Mark Valino
Set Photography: Yvanno Whickam-Edwards
Learn more about the short film here
5. “Being Black in Toronto”
A 6-film omnibus showcasing Black realities in modern-day Toronto.
Directed by Yasmin Evering-Kerr, Omolola ajao, Sharine Taylor, Valerie Amponsah, Adrian Wallace & Yvano Wickam-Edwards
Produced by Fabienne Colas, Emile Castonguay, Ngardy Conteh George, Alison Duke & Fonna Seidu
Learn more about the 6 films here
6. “Mr. Jane and Finch”
Winston LaRose is an 80-year-old community activist affectionately known as Mr.Jane and Finch. He has dedicated the last 25 years to supporting residents who live in the troubled community of Jane and Finch. With gentrification high up on the political agenda, he decides, for the first time, to run for office as Councillor of Toronto’s Ward 7 and challenge the established powers that be.
Directed by Ngardy Conteh George
Produced by Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh George
Edited by Sonia Godding Togobo
Cinematography by Mark Valino
Composed by Orin Isaacs
Featuring Winston LaRose
Learn more about the documentary film here
These films not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and provoke important conversations. Supporting Black filmmakers is crucial because it amplifies diverse voices, enriches storytelling with unique perspectives, and fosters inclusivity and representation in the film industry.
Join us in supporting Black Canadian filmmakers and their incredible stories.
Happy National Canadian Film Day! 🎬🍁
