LA PRÉHISTOIRE DU QUÉBEC

Let's push our beautiful motto "I remember" further and go back in time to discover the prehistory of Quebec, from the formation of the planet to the arrival of the first indigenous people.

In an adventure that will span the eons, follow the author Patrick Couture meets experts who will present precious fossils and other rare treasures allowing us to lift the veil on the little-known past of our province and the strange creatures that once populated it.

Running time:     15 minutes
Release Date:      2024

Broadcasters:    Savoir Media

More info

From Africa T0 Arctic,
De l'Afrique à l'Arctique

From Africa to the Arctic is the story of African diaspora in Canada’s largest, least populated, and northernmost territory. Shot over the period of a year, this documentary focuses on the experiences of recent immigrants to the community of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Noel Vagba, a 39-year-old family man, leaves the Ivory Coast to begin building a new life in a part of the world he’d always imagined to be a winter wonderland. We watch as the always optimistic Noel adjusts to Iqaluit and tries to earn enough money to eventually relocate his family to the Canadian Arctic. Meeting wife Sabine, their kids, and friend Nicaise, we are introduced to the particular struggles of adaptation, from finding work and building a new social life to maintaining a bridge between two homes that are separated by thousands of kilometers. Against the backdrop of Nunavut’s frigid beauty, we encounter the gentle, courageous and inspiring people who manage to carve a warm place into Iqaluit’s cosmopolitan community.

Running time:     48 minutes
Release Date:      2015

Broadcasters:     TV5 Monde, APTN

Watch TRAILER

The Family Farm

The Family Farm explores the farm to table process through the lens of Canadian small farmers and identifies the systematic barriers they face in running a profitable farm. In its journey across the country, the film blends extraordinary shots of the Canadian farm landscape with discussions of the challenges and setbacks small farmers endure, as well as the turning points and breakthroughs that have allowed them to achieve success. As these intimate accounts are shared, traditional images of family farmers are redefined as we grow to see these individuals not only as farmers, but as teachers, botanists, and mechanics who open our eyes to the issues that continue to threaten small farmers as well as the importance of buying local and organic foods

Running time:     90 minutes
Release Date:      2014

Awards:      Minister of Agriculture Award at Life Sciences Film Festival - Prague, Czech Republic, 2014
Official Selection: Planet In Focus Film Festival, Canada, 2014
Official Selection: Devour Film Festival, Canada, 2014

Watch TRAILER

The instrument bank

The Instrument Bank follows the country’s most gifted violinists and cellists over the course of the 2009 Canada Council for the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank Competition. The musicians compete to get their hands on the world’s greatest stringed instruments, valued at more than $27 million. The relationship between musician and instrument and the intense work ethic required to make one a star in the world of classical music is unveiled in this gripping documentary. The film culminates at Toronto’s prestigious Glenn Gould Recording Studios. Featuring Susanne Hou, Soo Bae, Marie-Eve Poupart, Rachel Mercer, Judy Kang, David Eggert and Min-Jeong Koh.

Running time:     48 minutes
Released Date:      2010

Awards:      2011 Gemini Nomination (Canadian Screen Awards) for Best Direction and Best Performing Arts Program, BRAVO Canada

Watch trailer

Falafelism: Politics of food

Can the world come together over a sandwich? In a witty and poignant take, Falafelism examines the true depth and potential of this humble sandwich and its role as a doorway to greater cultural similarities.

Running time:     50 minutes
Release Date:      2012

Broadcasters:     OMNI television

Watch trailer

THE ULUIT: CHAMPIONS OF THE NORTH

Filmed in Inukjuak (Nunavik), this character-driven documentary series follows The Uluit—a female Inuit hockey team made up of daughters, mothers and grandmothers—bonded together by a sport they love. This is the emotional story of a group of extraordinary indigenous women who represent all facets of their community and collective history. The Uluit gives viewers intimate access into the everyday lives of these extraordinary women, as they make their way to the 2010 Great Whale Hockey Cup.

Running time:     6x 30 minutes
Release Date:      2010

Awards:      2011 Gemini Nomination (Canadian Screen Awards) for Best Documentary series

Watch trailer

THE WORLD’S A STAGE WITH JOHN NEVILLE

While John Neville is best known for his iconic film and television roles, this film explores the story of his lesser known (but greatly influential) foray into the world of theatre. Neville began his career in England working with greats such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen and good friend Richard Burton. Turning his back on Burton’s invitation in order to become a Hollywood star, Neville stunned the theatre world by leaving Britain and moving to Canada. Through interviews with actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Brent Carver, Lucy Peacock and more, Neville’s tremendous influence reveals the true meaning of what it is to be ‘‘of the theatre.’’

Running time:     90 minutes
Release Date:      November 15th, 2007

Watch trailer

I Want to be Happy: The Jackie Washington Story

This film tells the life story of astounding 86-year-old jazz singer, guitarist, storyteller and personality Jackie Washington, who has a musical repertoire of nearly 1300 songs and whose legendary lifetime spans close to a century of musical and black history. The film includes rare archives, numerous live performances, emotional interviews and a touring road trip across Canada.

Running time:     48 min, 70 min
Release Date:      2007

Broadcasters:     Aired on BRAVO, Knowledge, SCN
Festivals:     Atlanta International Film Festival, RVCQ (Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécois)

Watch shortfilm

The Colour of Memory

Guido Molinari: artist, theoretician, teacher, benefactor, mentor. For almost half a century, while firmly rooted in his beloved city of Montreal, Molinari was a commanding presence in the Canadian and international art scene. His direct influence on future movements and generations of artists have given him the reputation of one of Canada’s most impactful painters. Throughout his life, Molinari produced art with astounding evolution, continually inspiring generations of young Concordia University art students. At the age of 69, suffering from lung cancer and given a year to live, Molinari shares his thoughts and recollections as he embarks on the last chapter of his remarkable life. Eager to make the most of every passing moment, this film documents Molinari’s final reflections, taking stock of his numerous achievements and experiences.

Running time:     90 minutes
Release Date:      December 4th, 2005

Watch movie

Being Osama

Being Osama is a one-hour television documentary that explores the day-to-day lives of six Montrealers named Osama. The film connects the experiences of these individual Arab-Canadians to those of their larger cultural community—and to Canadian society as a whole—in the post-9/11 world. Touching on Islamophobia, racism, religion, Middle East politics, celebration, death and identity, this thoughtful portrait of the politics behind a name is as telling today as it was in 2004.

Running time:  60 minutes
Release Date:      Novembre 2004

Awards:   2004 Best Documentary – University Film and Video Conference

Watch trailer

A Red Carpet For The sun

A Red Carpet for the Sun documents the life of poet, provocateur and iconoclast Irving Layton. This biographical portrait was filmed in the year of Layton’s 90th birthday, just before his incapacitation by Alzheimer's. Since Layton first burst onto the Canadian literary scene in the 1940s, he remained a prominent and controversial figure. The publication of his 1959 book, A Red Carpet for the Sun, remains an important landmark in Canadian literary history. Bit by bit, through the judicious use of archival material, photographs, digital video and film, the testimony of old friends and former students, and the poet’s own words, an in-depth portrait of the artist emerges, from youth to old age. Most of all, Layton’s generosity, obsequious teaching repute and mentorship are made immortal in the words of his protégés—from famous names such as Moses Znaimer and Leonard Cohen to individuals whose lives were enriched by Layton’s example and words. Not a requiem, not a panegyric, this film is a bittersweet tribute to a poet, a life, a city, and the passing of time.

Running time:     48 minutes
Aired on:      Novembre 19th, 2003
‍
Broadcasters:     CBC, BRAVO, Knowledge, SCN

Women warriors

Women Warriors is an exciting docu-series that profiles the lives of Canada’s elite female athletes. Shot in cinema-verité style, Women Warriors gives audiences a glimpse into the tremendous perseverance and mental fortitude required to reach the upper echelons of athletics. The series also touches on the many social and economic issues that still plague female athletes in Canada in the 21st century–poor coverage, gender stereotyping, funding issues, and most of all, a lack of recognition and respect. Using a combination of interviews, training clips and various archival materials, each 30-minute episode in this series is a colourful portrait of outstanding Canadian women.

Running time:     19x 30 minutesminutes
Release Date:      August 8th, 2002

Too Colourful For The League

This documentary examines the struggle of blacks in hockey in Canada from the 1930s to the present day telling the story of black players’ courage and determination to play in a white-dominated sport. It focuses on an effort by former Montreal citizenship judge Richard Lord to nominate legendary black hockey player Herb Carnegie into the Hockey Hall of Fame. During the 1940s, Carnegie was widely acknowledged as one of the best hockey players in the world, playing alongside Jean Beliveau for the Quebec Aces. Yet he never was allowed to play in the NHL because of a long-time color barrier, which was only broken a decade later by Willie O’Ree of the Boston Bruins.

Running time:     50 minutes
Release Date:      February 6st, 2001

Awards      2001 Gemini Nomination (Canadian Screen Awards) Best Documentary, Bronze Award at NYC, Columbus TV Festival Milan Sports Festival