Not just one story: Regent Park Film Festival celebrates independent films that break stereotypes – November 20-23
Regent Park Film Festival, Toronto’s longest running free community film festival, is happening on November 20-23, 2019 at Daniels Spectrum, and other venues such as Artscape Daniels Launchpad.
What started in 2003 as a way to showcase high-quality films to the Regent Park community has now grown into a multi-day festival that showcases local and international independent works relevant to people from all walks of life, with a focus on inviting those of us from low income and public housing communities. The films presented each year break stereotypes and show that no one place or person has just one story. This year, the films tackle subjects such as basketball to brutality, justice to theatre:
Our Dance of Revolution
Friday, November 22nd, 2019 | 9:00PM – 11:00PM
Our Dance of Revolution tells the story of how Black queer folks in Toronto faced every adversity, from invisibility to police brutality, and over a four-decade span rose up to become a vibrant, triple-snap-fierce community.
nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up
Friday, November 22nd, 2019 | 6:15PM – 8:30PM
Colten Boushie, a young Cree man, is murdered after entering Gerald Stanley’s rural property with his friends. Stanley’s subsequent acquittal captured international attention, raising questions about racism embedded within Canada’s legal system and propelling Colten’s family to national and international stages in their pursuit of justice.
Under Construction
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Struggling to find herself in the sprawl of urban Bangladesh, Muslim theater actress Roya suffers from her husband’s wish for children and traditional life. Not interested in motherhood, she decides to reconstruct a famous and politically minded play for modern times, reclaiming her identity, her freedom and her sexuality in the process.
Life Without Basketball
Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 | 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir broke records and barriers on her way to become the first Division I athlete to play basketball while wearing the hijab. When a controversial ruling ends her chances at playing professionally, she re-examines her faith and identity as a Muslim American.
In addition to showcasing these films, Regent Park Film Festival has numerous programs, workshops and panels taking place, like Creating Content for the CBC or TV Writing with Kim Convenience writer, Ins Choi. See the full Regent Park Film Festival schedule.
