One of Ours is my first feature-length film. I believe in the impact potential of documentary filmmaking. Through my collaboration with the participants of my films, I learned more about our collective desire to be seen and have our humanity reflected back to us. My film tells the story of a young Black and Indigenous 20-something named Josiah Wilson and his struggle for justice after he's racially profiled and removed from an Indigenous basketball tournament—all because his parents adopted him from Haiti when he was a baby. It's a complex, necessary story of identity, belonging and healing.
The making of One of Ours is also the story of how Hot Docs provides much-needed support to filmmakers "from idea all the way to premiere."
FROM IDEA... In 2016, I participated in the Hot Docs-led
Doc Accelerator program, which focuses on the training and career advancement of a new generation of Canadian doc filmmakers. With the training and feedback received, my idea for the project grew into a feature-length story.
Then in 2019, I received funding from the
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund and the
documentary Channel. This came at a crucial time, and I was able to take the film into production.
TO PREMIERE... When
One of Ours received its world premiere at the 2021 edition of the
Hot Docs Festival, it felt incredible to be recognized by my peers with the
Special Jury Prize for Best Canadian Feature. Of course, the celebrations were dampened by not being able to experience this with audiences in person because of the pandemic.
But Hot Docs was there again to support my journey as a filmmaker, when I was invited back months later to present
One of Ours as part of Hot Docs' For Viola series that centres BIPOC-led stories and filmmakers.
In front of a packed house at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, I was finally able to share Josiah Wilson's powerful story through my film. For me, it was an experience that underlined the power of documentary and how important it is to ensure that Canadian stories like this are told.
HOW YOU CAN HELP... As an independent filmmaker who has benefitted from the Hot Docs network of support,
I ask you to please consider supporting Hot Docs today. Your gift will help with everything from training programs like the one that kickstarted my career to sustaining our very own doc-focused cinema right here in Toronto. Hot Docs needs your help to continue this essential work, and I hope you will join me in donating this holiday season.
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Thank you so much for your time,
Yasmine Mathurin
Director, One of Ours