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Family of Edouard Beaupré—the “Willow Bunch Giant”—seeks to restore his identity and reclaim his Michif heritage. Jessie Ray Short’s NFB documentary Moon Noonk Edouard premieres June 4 at imagineNATIVE.

PRESS RELEASE
15/05/2026

May 15, 2026 – Toronto – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Jessie Ray Short’s National Film Board of Canada (NFB) documentary Moon Noonk Edouard (My Uncle Edouard) will have its world premiere at the 2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, which takes place June 2–7, 2026 (Toronto), and June 8–14, 2026 (online).

Moon Noonk Edouard is written and directed by Short, the great-grandniece of Edouard Beaupré (1881–1904)—also known as the “Willow Bunch Giant” and one of the tallest men in recorded history. This intimate and poetic documentary follows the family’s efforts to reclaim the identity and Michif heritage of the legendary strongman and circus performer, who died at the age of just 23 from complications of tuberculosis.

The 35-minute film will screen as part of the Legendary Lineages short program in-person on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at TIFF Lightbox (Cinema 2)—and will also stream online as part of imagineNATIVE’s Virtual Festival.

A family that never forgot its giant 

In this intimate portrait blending archival footage and dreamlike reenactments, Jessie Ray Short retraces her great-granduncle’s journey from his hometown in Saskatchewan to his tragic death at the St. Louis World’s Fair, and his bizarre posthumous voyage.

Produced by Marie-France Guerrette, Moon Noonk Edouard is an act of healing in which Beaupré’s loved ones share emotional memories and stories to take back ownership of his giant-sized legacy.

About the filmmaker 

Jessie Ray Short’s artistic process explores a variety of themes to examine the history and memories of Michif communities on the Prairies. Based in Regina, Short is a bilingual filmmaker descended from Michif lineage in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, and the great-grandniece of Edouard Beaupré. Drawing on accounts from her/their family and the Michif community, Moon Noonk Edouard is the filmmaker’s attempt to mend the damage caused by dehumanizing stories about Beaupré that have been told and retold over the past century.

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Related Links

Press Kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/moon-noonk-edouard

PDF here.

Version française ici.

Media Relations

  • About the NFB

    Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.