Film Categories: Youth

  • Locus

    A boyhood trauma takes form.

  • Players

    Fieldstone Secondary School has a junior boys’ basketball team unlike any other. The trials and tribulations of high school life are revealed through the team, known as the Sultans. “Every game has its memories, you decide whether they’re good or bad. I’ve seen players grow into and out of sports and they all seem to forget about one thing: loyalty” (Coach Fernando Neves).

  • Curse of the Voodoo Child, The

    Sex, birth, fire and fingerprints. A passion play and the events of conception that result in mayhem. A rock’n’roll theme, in Cinemascope! Nominated for Best Animation at the 2006 Jutra Awards.

  • Fuga di Olmo, La (Olmo’s Escape)

    Olmo is a blue Italian ladies’ bike. After spending years abandoned in a dusty garage, Olmo finally sees the road again after escaping from a yard sale. What follows is an epic ride all over Toronto during which Olmo discovers the truth about being a bicycle in a vast urban metropolis. Part adventure-comedy, part environmental fable, “La Fuga di Olmo” is a light-hearted cautionary tale about what could happen if you don’t ride your bike.

  • Element of Light

    Inspired by the elements of nature on a journey through light and sound. Painted directly onto the film and accompanied by scratched optical sounds. A stream-of-consciousness motion painting. “A work of pure delight. A master of scratch animation, Reeves extends the tradition of visual music first explored in Canada by Norman McLaren. This is sublime work of cinematic dexterity.” – Philip Hoffman (Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film, 2005)

  • Swing

    “Swing” was rotoscoped from a 16mm print of the filmmaker’s son on a swing. The drawings were then scanned and assembled digitally.

  • What Grown-Ups Know

    Despairing of life on the run with his ailing and flamboyant mum, teenage Roy seeks solace in seducing the lonely manager of a desolate trailer park. “Not to be missed.” – Pasadena Weekly “Engaging and intelligent…heavy on heart, tinged with humor.” – Palm Springs Desert Sun Selected screenings & awards: Jury Award, Best Short, Mardi Gras Film Festival, Australia, 2004; 2nd Prize, Nextframe Film Festival, 2004; London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2005; Slamdance, Park City Utah, 2005; Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2004; Palm Springs International Short Film Festival; Inside Out Toronto Lesbian & Gay Film & Video…

  • Restless Spirits

    In this lively portrait, rowdy ropin’ granny Toni Savoie-German finds Zen in the art of Rodeo. Toni, of Micmac and French heritage, has always had a passion for horses and ridiing. Now in her late 50s, she is on the rodeo circuit as a calf-roper. Although the rodeo world is a competitive one, it is not all about the medals. Rather, Toni is searching for something more meaningful – enlightenment and community. Rural landscapes and horses form the backdrop to this quest. In Rodeo, Toni discovers what we all want in life – peace and a sense of belonging.

  • Calling Nate

    Being a teenager isn’t easy, especially when you’re an 18-year-old gender rebel sorting out a kaleidoscope of conflicting advice and desires. Nadia Hluszko – a.k.a. Nate – comes by her confusion and transgender identity honestly: one of her moms used to be her dad, the other is addicted to the Osbornes. First-time documentary director Pamela Gawn chases the irrepressible Nate as she cycles through her part-time job at a used bike shop, suffers girlfriend turmoil, argues with both moms, and reveals a tragedy that changed her family forever. A poignant, sometimes achingly sweet coming-of-age story. Selected screenings and awards: Best…

  • Multiple Selves of Hannah Maynard, The

    A glimpse into the unique, eccentric mind of a pioneering Canadian photographer, Hannah Maynard (1834-1918). Born in England, Maynard immigrated with her family to Vancouver Island in 1862, where she set up her own portrait studio. After the sudden death of her youngest daughter, she produced a troubling series of experimental images that reflected her haunted state – an attempt to contact her beloved daughter’s spirit. Considered overly bold and unconventional, Maynard experimented with such techniques as collage, multiple exposure and photo-sculpture. She developed a surreal vision, a world obsessed with children and death, but also the spiritual possibilities of…