Festival In-Cinema Program

Subjects: Technology, Media Arts, Language, Computer Science

This charming documentary follows six students representing their countries in competition at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in the Excel section, the most prestigious and challenging element of the competition. Each a national champion, these students from Australia, Cameroon, Greece, Guatemala, the United States and Vietnam travel to Orlando, Florida, where a win could offer life-changing academic and career opportunities. The competition provides the chance for them to compete and be challenged by other students, all of whom are the smartest kids in their class and come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. The film highlights the importance of the support the students receive from their families, friends and each other, while these incredibly talented young minds learn to handle the ups and downs of setback and failure—not through formulas and data-handling, but by living the experience. Vicci Ho.

Subjects: Indigenous, Sport, History, Canadian Issues, Civics, Politics

The Skidegate Saints are perennial favourites to win the highly competitive All Native Basketball Tournament, an event players have called modern-day warfare. For over 60 years, this tournament in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, has been a multi-generational gathering place for First Nations from Haida Gwaii to celebrate their culture and community. The Saints have become leaders on and off the court, as they coach younger players and take on responsibilities within their clans. Basketball has provided the team’s members with many tools to succeed and this tournament is about more than just the game. It’s become a symbol of resilience emerging from residential school survivors and provides an opportunity to participate in Ceremony, after the Indian Act banned Potlatches until 1951. While the aging Saints take to the court to defend their title, an emerging contender of younger all-stars from the lower mainland is hungry to challenge the village champions. Alexander Rogalski.

Contains coarse language 

Subjects: Global Issues, Gender Studies, Equity, Politics, Language, Media Arts, Human Development

In a striking and deeply personal feature-length debut, Najiba Noori turns the camera on her family. Over five years, she documents the intertwined journeys of Hawa and Zahra, her mother and her niece, both of whom are determined to break free from the confines of the patriarchal society that has restricted their ambitions and freedoms. At 52, after four decades in an arranged marriage, Hawa finds herself yearning for reinvention and seeks to start her own textile business specializing in Hazara embroidery and wants to learn to read and write to cultivate her independence. Meanwhile, Zahra aspires to pursue higher education with Hawa’s support. The women’s hopes and dreams are shattered, however, with the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Noori faces a life-altering decision in a split second: whether to flee her home for fear of persecution due to her journalistic background or stay with her family. Writing Hawa is an intimate, observational and urgent piece that captures the enduring resilience of three generations of Hazara women, highlighting the fragility of women’s rights and the ongoing fight for liberation. Lauren Clarke.

Subjects: Civics, Politics, Challenge & Change, Indigenous, Gender Studies, Equity, World Issues, Canadian Issues

The popular Citizen Minutes series returns for a third series featuring local stories of civic engagement. Meet a brand new group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve their communities. Following the screening of the 6 new short films, there will be an extended Q&A with all the subjects and filmmakers. 

• A Stop Gap Measure (D: Lulu Wei | 11 min)
• Hommes-Relais (D: Vladimir Chindea | 10 min)
• La femme équi-LIBRE (D: Hélène Lebon | 9 min)
• Becoming Ruby (D: Quan Luong | 10 min)
• Crossing the Divide (D: Chrisann Hessing, Ashley Brook | 10 min)
• Red Girl Rising (D: Faith Howe, Kim Stadfeld | 12 min)