October 2, 2025 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

This October, keep streaming Canadian on NFB platforms! Don’t miss the release of these three new short films:

• Elyse Bouvier’s timely Unfolding Faith, which explores the complex family dynamics when religious beliefs differ;
• The award-winning Inkwo for When the Starving Return by Michif/Red River Métis filmmaker Amanda Strong, released to mark International Animation Day; and
• Valerie Barnhart’s What the Hell, which follows a Harpy from Dante’s Inferno in an apocalyptic animated anti-romance released just in time for Halloween.

Other works are already available online: 

• The three-episode series Inside Hothouse 15 takes you behind the scenes at the NFB’s acclaimed animation studio, capturing the electric energy of six emerging filmmakers taking part in the 15th Hothouse residency; and

• Will Prosper’s reXistence, exposing systemic violence and celebrating Black strength in Canada to awaken our consciousness.

Remember, nfb.ca is home to more than 7,000 streaming films and a collection of over 100 interactive works.

NEW ONLINE RELEASES 

Starting October 16

Unfolding Faith by Elyse Bouvier (2025, NFB)
Documentary (23 min 18 s) / Press kit

• Filmmaker Elyse Bouvier explores the roots of religion in family dynamics and what happens to those bonds when faith is lost. This highly personal short film recently had its world premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival, in the filmmaker’s hometown.

Starting October 27, to celebrate International Animation Day (October 28)*

Inkwo for When the Starving Return by Amanda Strong (2024, Spotted Fawn Productions/NFB)
Animation (19 min) / Press kit

• This film by Michif/Red River Métis creator Amanda Strong is a stop-motion animated adaptation of a short story by Richard Van Camp. Two lifetimes from now, the world hangs in the balance. Dove, a young warrior, uses their Inkwo(medicine) to fight and protect against the forces of greed and consumption.
• The short film features the voice talents of Alberta Paulina Alexis and Tantoo Cardinal. It was selected for over 70 festivals, including Sundance, won 17 awards, including Grand Prize at the VIEW Conference (Turin, Italy), and was part of Canada’s Top 10 at TIFF 2024.

*In 2002, the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) launched International Animation Day to commemorate the first public performance of Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique at the Musée Grévin in Paris on October 28, 1892. This celebration is now held in over 40 countries. 

Starting October 31, to celebrate Halloween

What the Hell by Valerie Barnhart (2024, NFB)
Animation (9 min) / Press kit

• Dante’s classic Hell is falling into oblivion. Charlotte, a sharp-witted Harpy, navigates the chaos and sets out, despite the odds, for a new life and destiny. This film by Ottawa artist Valerie Barnhart was selected for Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival in 2024.

NOW ONLINE

Inside Hothouse 15 by Simon Girard – (2025, NFB)
Three-part series (each episode is 11 to 17 minutes long)

• Across its 15 editions, our Hothouse program for emerging animators has helped kick-start the careers of a whole generation of acclaimed Canadian filmmakers. This year, we’ve pulled back the curtain like never before to capture the contagiously electric energy of this coveted 12-week residency. Watch six emerging filmmakers learn and grow as they make their first-ever professional animated short film, with all the bells and whistles that come with the full backing and support of the NFB.

reXistence by Will Prosper (2025, NFB)
Documentary (9 min 45 s) / Press kit

• Through striking Canadian archival footage, reXistence exposes systemic violence and celebrates Black strength in Canada, reviving a buried memory to awaken our consciousness and remind us what we’re still fighting for.

• Three short videos that help put the film in context are also available.

– 30 –

Version française ici.