OCan24: Ottawa Canadian Film Festival 2024 | OCanFilmFest

About OCan24 Films

Ayam Zaman (The Old Days), Hassib Hani (he/him), (Ottawa, ON) [ Drama | Romance ] [ Arabic, English | Presented with English subtitles ]

Hadi finds himself an unexpected guest at Adam's engagement party decades after they last spoke, where at last they will come face-to-face with the events that tore them apart.

Born in Lebanon, raised in Canada, Hassib Hani brings stories that merge his Arab heritage with his upbringing in low-income communities in Canada. His filmmaking style immerses audience in stories that feel real and which bring to life scenarios we seldom know exist.

Hassib Hani

<Bridge the Gap>, Luca Fiore (he/him), (Ottawa, ON) [ Documentary | Comedy ]

Dan’s everyday life becomes the focus of a documentary crew that only he can see.

Luca Fiore is an award-winning music video director from Ottawa, ON. He has directed music videos for Juno Award winning artists, has had his work shown in film festivals in Canada and the USA, and has had his short films broadcast all over Canada on CBC.

More info: Website |Instagram

Desync, Minerva Navasca (she/her), (Oakville, ON) [ Narrative | Drama ] [ English, Tagalog | Presented with English subtitles ]

A young Filipina filmmaker attempts to overwrite a painful memory of her mother with a perfect narrative.

Minerva Navasca (she/her), the director of Desync, is a Filipina immigrant director and producer, entering her final year of the Bachelors of Film and Television program at Sheridan College. She is best known for her short documentaries “Guardians” (2021), and “Kamayan” (2020), which has been showcased in local and international festivals such as the 2022 TIFF Next Wave, the 2021 Regent Park Film Festival, and the 2022 CineYouth Film Festival. Minerva aims to re-frame disregarded narratives by prioritising Asian voices both in front and behind the camera.

More info: Trailer | Instagram

"As writers, we are told to 'write what you know,' and as the film suggests, sometimes that approach can be taken very literally. " - Zach Chabot, film613 review

Minerva Navasca

La folle traversée de Philippe (Philippe, a lake and a dream), Stéphanie Gagné, (Chicoutimi, QC) [ Documentary ] [ French | Presented with English subtitles ]

Un père sédentaire lance un défi complètement fou à sa fille. Ce défi transformera bien plus que leurs deux existences. Une traversée du Lac Saint-Jean qui ira bien au-delà du 32 kilomètres initial.

A sedentary father issues an insane challenge to his daughter. This challenge will transform more than just their two lives. A crossing of Lac Saint-Jean that will go well beyond the initial 32 kilometres.

Stéphanie Gagné is the owner and manager of a documentary and advertising production company in Quebec. Since 2004, she has produced short films for international film festivals, web capsules, corporate productions and commercials, which makes her an experienced producer. Her 3 international feature documentaries are just the beginning, as she has so much more ideas to produce several more.

More info: Trailer | Facebook

"La folle traversée de Philippe is an incredible and moving documentary that will have you crying tears of sadness and joy." - Nicole Bedford, film613 review

Stéphanie Gagné

Gro$ Lot (Jackpot), Sharbel El-Showairy (he/him), (Sainte-Adèle, QC) [ Satirical Comedy ] [ French | Presented with English subtitles ]

Dans un village de Noël, après un accident de travail, Jordan reçoit un billet de loterie de son amie Sam. À leur grande surprise, ils gagnent un million de dollars! Les deux amis devront cependant se battre pour défendre leurs idéaux.

In a Christmas village, after a work accident, Jordan receives a lottery ticket as a gift from his friend Sam. To their surprise, the ticket wins a million dollars. Each having a different goal with the money, they will need to fight for their ideals.

Born in Lebanon, Sharbel Showairy is a writer and director based in Montreal. Seduced by the art of storytelling and always questioning the world around himself, his goal is to tell untold stories about the truth of humanity. “Gro$ lot” is his second short film.

More info: Trailer | Website | Instagram | Facebook

Sharbel El-Showairy

A Good Day Will Come, Amir Zargara (he/him), (Ottawa, ON) [ Drama | Sport ] [ Persian | Presented with English subtitles ]

Arash is a professional wrestler with dreams of representing his country and winning gold medals. The country is in turmoil and its people are suffering. Arash must decide between using his platform to stand up to tyranny, or put his head down and remain silent.

Amir Zargara is an Iranian-Canadian (BIPOC) director and filmmaker, whose unique perspective is shaped by the cultural mosaic of Iran and Canada. His journey, characterized by the resilience of an immigrant and the challenges of living with a stutter, deeply influences his approach to filmmaking. At the heart of Amir's philosophy is a belief in the inherent humanity of all characters. His films delve into the moral complexities faced by individuals, focusing on the gray areas of human character and advocating for empathy over judgment. This perspective is a direct reflection of his life experiences, bridging diverse cultures and personal challenges.

More info: Trailer | Website | Instagram | X

"A Good Day Will Come is a haunting and heartbreaking film that serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of resistance." - Fitch Jean, film613 review

Amir Zargara

Les mots d'amour (Words of Love), Laetitia Demessence (she/her), (Montreal, QC) [ Poetic | Dance ]

« Les mots d’amour » est un court métrage poétique avec danse où une dame âgée est prise au piège de la solitude. Seule dans un monde sans liens humains, elle trouve refuge dans l’énigmatique compagnie de ses voisins à plumes, les pigeons. Son désir désespéré d’amour se transforme en obsession, brouillant les frontières entre la réalité et le rêve.

“Les mots d’amour” is a short poetic dance film portraying an elderly woman who is trapped in solitude. Alone in a world without human connections, she finds refuge in the mysterious companionship of her feathered neighbours—the pigeons. Her desperate longing for love transforms into an obsession, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

Laetitia Demessence is a Franco-Spanish director and screenwriter who grew up in Spain, Indonesia and Chile before emigrating to Québec to study film at the Université de Montréal. Since completing her university degrees, she explores directing through various short film projects, music videos, and dance films. Laetitia is currently finishing her first feature film, "Chemins de terre", for which she received support from Telefilm Canada.

More info: Trailer

Laetitia Demessenc

Nix's Symphony, Karina Loerchner (she/her), (Waterloo, ON) [ Animation | Fantasy ]

Libelle, Nix's mother, possessed exceptional abilities. She not only excelled in the fields of science and engineering, but also gained fame as a distinguished inventor and composer. Nevertheless, at a tender age, Nix, an aspiring musician and inventor in her own right, is now burdened with the responsibility of upholding this remarkable legacy.

Karina Loerchner was born in Ontario, Canada, and has had a passion for music since she was a young child. During high school, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unexpected challenges. However, Karina took advantage of the time spent at home by delving into musical composition and taking 3D animation lessons. Karina's pursuit of knowledge and her dedication to her craft have fueled her growth as a filmmaker. She is committed to continuously improving her skills and exploring new creative avenues to produce captivating and meaningful films.

More info: Trailer | IMDB

Karina Loerchner

OCD, Madonna Gonzalez (she/her), (Vancouver, BC) [ Drama ]

Amanda, a girl with a debilitating "tick", fights to survive the war raging within her terrifying psyche - all while stuck sitting in a Psych 101 lecture.

Madonna Gonzalez is a Latin-Canadian actress and director with a BFA in Drama Performance from the University of Lethbridge. Coming from an extensive theatre background and directing pieces for the stage, she is eager to make OCD her directorial debut for the screen. Some of her acting credits include Yellowjackets (Showtime), Virgin River (Netflix), Cruel Summer (Freeform), and most recently as Janelle in Hallmark's The Blessing Bracelet.

More info: IMDB | Instagram

"Barely a few seconds in, you begin understanding OCD, the effect on its sufferers and those around them." - Daniel Perras, film613 review

Madonna Gonzalez

Radio Bingo, Shelby Adams, (Akwesasne, ON) [ Documentary ]

To help revitalize the Mohawk language, a local reservation radio station incorporates the Mohawk language into a game of Radio Bingo.

Shelby Adams is a director, writer, producer and actor. She is a First Nation member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation and co-owner of Dreamcatcher Studio which she operates with her daughter. She is a NY Emmy award winner for the documentary, THE ROOTS OF LACROSSE, which was turned into a full feature documentary and now in festivals. Shelby has directed and produced plays that have raised awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and trafficking that has made an impact and garnered huge reviews. Recently, she graduated from Toronto Film School and was valedictorian of her program. Her calling card short film "Radio Bingo" premiered at the Atlanta Film Fesitval in 2023, and is in development as a half hour dramedy with Schitt's Creek's Project 10.

More info: Trailer

Shelby Adams

Safe Space, Matt Pittroff (He/Him), (Toronto, ON) [ Narrative | Sci-Fi | Dramedy ]

While under the duress of their spacecraft's evacuation warnings, a female scientist and her AI male assistant debate the terms and conditions of their no-longer-platonic relationship.

Matt Pittroffhas been helming very short form stories for nearly two decades. Pittroff deftly balances the absurd with reality—to create an undeniably accessible brand of humor. His prowess for casting and comedic timing has led to awarded commercial campaigns for Hilton Honors, Bank of America, Firehouse Subs, McDonald’s, and National Car Rental. His work has been showcased in Creativity, AdWeek, SHOOT, and at Cannes.

Silent Cries (Kiayunik Tuhanak), Navalik Tologanak (She/her), (Iqaluit, NU) [ Documentary | Biography ]

"It happened every year during long weekends in September. That's when all the planes, little planes start flying around Nunavut and NWT (North-Western Territory) collecting kids at camps. As soon as you hear that plane coming around you know what was gonna happen, some of them hide, run away… But the parents were always threatened if their kids didn't get on that plane. All you could hear was mothers, grandmothers crying". Navalik Tologanak (Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices 2023 Alumni), journalist and emerging filmmaker shares her experience as a residential school survivor. Silent Cries (Kiayunik Tuhanak) documents the private meeting between Pope Francis and Inuit survivors on their land in July 2022. As a respected Elder, Navalik weaves her personal story into the narrative to bring an intimate perspective to a historic event and what followed.

Navalik Tologanak is a proud Inuinnaq from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut who celebrates her heritage and traditions. She is a residential school survivor. Sent away to Inuvik and Yellowknife for 12 years, she lost traditional skills and her language. She fought hard to relearn Inuinnaqtun and graduated from the Indigenous Languages Program from the University of Victoria in 2019 at the age of 65. She began her journalism career in 1995, writing for Nunavut news. She’s been photographing and documenting events in her community in Inuinnaqtut for 29 years. She would like to continue telling those stories using digital media to make a series of short films.

More info: Trailer | Website

Navalik Tologanak

Stealing Vows, Bobby Singh Brown, (Toronto, ON) [ Heist Drama | Comedy ]

Set in 1998 and inspired by real events, 'Stealing Vows' is a thrilling 2-hour heist film that delves into the heart of the South Asian wedding industry. A group of four wedding vendors—a cunning photographer, a charming emcee, a resourceful caterer, and a creative decorator—find themselves on a daring summer spree, robbing the opulent homes of their affluent clients during the wedding receptions. Their audacious quest? To pilfer enough riches to purchase their own dreams of happily ever after. But as the stakes rise and alliances shift, the line between love, loyalty, and larceny becomes blurred in this exciting rollercoaster ride of heists and hijinks.

Bobby Singh Brown is a Toronto based filmmaker who grew up as a Hollywood kid in a Bollywood home. After a decade as a DJ and music producer, he spent the past 20+ years creating award-winning documentaries, shorts, music videos, and commercials. "Stealing Vows" marks his debut in full-length features.

More info: Trailer | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X

"Stealing Vows is a highly entertaining, smart, and witty heist film with something for everyone." - Jith Paul, film613 review

Bobby Singh Brown

The Steak, Kiarash Dadgar, (Toronto, ON) [ Drama | War ]

A birthday ceremony preparation gets upside down as something horrible takes place.

Kiarash Dadgar is an award-winning Iranian film and theatre artist with an MA in Dramatic Literature from Soore Art University. He worked in various Iranian short films, series, and theatre productions. Kiarash first work as a producer, "Jouissance," premiered at the 27th BUSAN International Film Festival. His debut film, "The Steak" (2023), has been screened in +105 Film Festivals, such as the 30th Slamdance and won +30 titles globally, including the AGBO Award from Slamdance 2024.

More info: Trailer | Instagram

Kiarash Dadgar

Treat Day, Lisa Kockeritz (she/her), (Oakville, ON) [ Drama ]

It’s “Treat Day” and Deborah has cash in her pocket and a stocked tuck shop in the lobby of her building. Overwhelmed with options, the cashier steers her towards a candy and cassette tape deal. In awe of being reunited with music from decades ago, Deborah doubts she’ll remember the beloved lyrics. With the concierge’s encouragement, Deborah presses play on the tape player as she leaves for her daily walk in the park. If you’ve ever heard *that* song from when you were young, you’ll recognize Deborah’s joy at being reunited with memories of her youth. She’s virtually transported back in time as she enjoys the sun on her face and the breeze in her hair. The friendly hello of a couple on a park bench. The attention of a friendly dog. The cheekiness of children that charm her candy away. And we are left to wonder, whose “Treat Day” is it?

A scientist by education, Lisa Kockeritz has spent the last year pivoting her career towards film and television to scratch a persistent, nagging, creative itch. As a career-change filmmaker, she enjoys exploring the messiness of aging and mining her own faults and flaws to create relatable characters that strive to thrive in interesting worlds. “Treat Day” is her first short film.

More info: Trailer | Facebook | Instagram

Lisa Kockeritz

Triage, David Rendall (he/him), (Picton, ON) [ Social Realist Drama ]

Emergencies Come In Threes. For Gemma and James, a simple car ride to the vet escalates into a full-blown crisis, exposing hard truths beneath the surface of their relationship. Set in the early days of the pandemic, Triage is a claustrophobic pressure cooker and exploration of who we truly love when our worlds fall apart

Writer / director / editor David Rendall is a Toronto-born artist and filmmaker in Picton, Prince Edward County. He is currently in post-production for a short animated documentary about the holocaust in Romania called 'Today Is A Gift' (funded by the Ontario Arts Council).

More info: Trailer | Instagram