January 29, 2024 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
More NFB productions and co-productions will be streaming free of charge on nfb.ca beginning in February, with the online launch of compelling documentaries that showcase diversity in both form and content. The new series Maisonneuve, directed by Jean-Martin Gagnon, highlights the importance as well as the fragility of living together in harmony in Quebec; the short Afterwards, by Romane Garant Chartrand, gives voice to women who share their experiences of intimate-partner violence; and the feature-length Conviction, by Nance Ackerman, Ariella Pahlke and Teresa MacInnes, envisions alternatives to prison. The NFB will also be marking Black History Month with various screenings and activities, including a tribute to filmmaker Charles Officer.
In all, nfb.ca now features more than 6,500 online films and a collection of more than 100 interactive works.
Starting January 29
Conviction by Nance Ackerman, Ariella Pahlke and Teresa MacInnes (2019, Sea to Sea Productions/NFB, in association with CBC Documentary Channel)
Feature documentary (78 min)
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/conviction
Conviction envisions alternatives to prison through the eyes of women behind bars and those fighting on the front lines of the decarceration movement. The film compels viewers to examine why we imprison the most vulnerable among us, and at what cost. This award-winning film had its world premiere screening at the 2019 Hot Docs festival in Toronto, and was selected by several festivals in Canada and the US.
Starting February 12
Afterwards by Romane Garant Chartrand (2023, NFB)
Documentary short (24 min 51 s)
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/afterwards
Inside a shelter, women come together and speak out against the violence they have endured, as a way to retake control of their lives. Powerfully empathetic, Afterwards creates a space of sisterhood and solidarity—a chorus of voices breaking down the walls of silence. Following its world premiere at the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM), it will screen in the international competition section of the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival.
Starting February 23
Maisonneuve by Jean-Martin Gagnon (2023, NFB/Coop Vidéo de Montréal [Canada]/Akka Films [Switzerland]/Temps Noir [France], in collaboration with TV5 MONDE)
Documentary series (6 x 25 min)
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/maisonneuve_en
Over six episodes, Maisonneuve looks at the repercussions flowing from the arrest of 11 students at Montreal’s Collège de Maisonneuve as they prepared to join the ranks of the Islamic State in Syria. From the initial shock to a gradual opening for dialogue, the series follows the paths of five exceptional young people who share their points of view. Through their eyes, Maisonneuve highlights both the importance and the fragility of living together in harmony in Quebec.
Marking Black History Month
The NFB is paying tribute to acclaimed filmmaker Charles Officer, who died last December.
- Online premiere of the original version of Officer’s 2010 documentary feature film Mighty Jerome on ca;
- Special event in Montreal: a free in-person screening of Mighty Jerome at the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre, taking place February 7 at 7 p.m.
Six guest curators will also be providing their selection of favourite NFB films by Black directors.
And NFB collection curators are offering two special Black History Month retrospectives on the NFB Blog, while two thematic channels will be in the spotlight on nfb.ca: Focus on Black Filmmakers and the new NFB Abroad: Africa on Screen.
Click here to learn more about NFB screenings and activities during Black History Month.
Learn more about the NFB’s filmmakers and its collection:
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French version here | Version en français ici.