Celebrate Black History Month with stories and storytellers from SJIWFF. Start the month off with these favourites from SJIWFF alums, and then follow our socials to see what we’re watching now. Bria Mack Gets A Life  Created by Sasha Leigh Henry  This comedy series about a young Black woman entering the workforce by Sasha Leigh Henry premiered at TIFF in 2023. Sasha spoke at SJIWFF’s Film Industry Forum this past October to talk about authentic storytelling and bringing her own experiences to her work.  Listen to Sasha talk about her work, creating a “weird” comedy, and being B ..read more

From movies shot in our home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to Canadian-directed holiday flicks, add these woman-directed movies to your holiday watch-list! Merry Mysterious Christmas (Michelle Oullet) This holiday movie following a reporter investigating a Christmas thief (and falling in love, of course) was filmed in our home city of St. John’s, Newfoundland. We hope that this delightful rom-com by Toronto-based director Michelle Oullet inspires you to check out Oullet’s other work- including Afterparty, which won the Award for Best Ensemble at TIFF in 2014. Watch Merry Merry Christ ..read more

We are excited to be partner with FOGFEST to present a special screening of Girls with Guts at the Majestic Theatre on November 18, 2023. This feature documentary by Becka Zozak explores female filmmakers in the independent Vancouver horror scene, featuring Gigi Saul Guerrero, Karen Lam, Tristan Risk, Lisa Ovies, Ariel Hansen, and more. Following the film is a panel discussion with director Becca Kozak, featured filmmaker Lisa Ovies, and Rue Morgue Magazine's Andrea Subissati to talk about horror, feminism, and DIY filmmaking. Content warning: This film is intended for adult audiences only a ..read more

In her directorial and filmmaking debut, Ashley MacDonald’s directorial debut, September 7th, 2012, documents her journey to give new meaning to a day synonymous with a traumatic experience. Go behind the scenes with Ashley to learn about her artistic process and the healing journey of making her first short film. Content Warning: discussions of sexual assault   September 7th, 2012 screens Wednesday, October 18 at 9:30pm, as part of Wednesday Late Shorts   1. September 7th, 2012 is an incredibly vulnerable film that many people may have chosen to not document. What made you decide t ..read more

  SJIWFF34 has an incredible lineup of powerful queer features and short films. Four of seven of this year’s feature films dive into queer stories. Enter the cheerleading world of Backspot, follow the journeys of modern witches in COVEN, take a seat on the orchestral stage of Days of Happiness, and experience the Bollywood-inspired The Queen of My Dreams. Featuring some of Canada’s most freshest feature and short films on the Festival circuit this year. Screening Oct 19 - 9:30 PM at The Majestic Theatre Feature Film: Backspot Director: D.W. Waterson Executive Producer: Elliot Page Starri ..read more

SJIWFF34 features both local and international Indigenous filmmakers. Travel with us to the Siksika Nation’s exhilarating Indian Relay races in the feature film Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun. Rediscover the meaning of ‘home’ in the short film, Hebron Relocation. Take a vacation in Once Upon a Time in the Bay. Screening Thurs Oct 19 at 2:30 PM - The Rooms Feature Film: Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun Director: Banchi Hanuse Starring: Logan Red Crow, Kitana Arcand, Jayme Big Snake Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun takes us to the home of Logan Red Crow, a you ..read more

If you’re looking to check out local films and see a little piece of your own community on the big screen, SJIWFF34 has got you covered. This year, we are showcasing hilarious, local feature film, Party Pirate, to open the festival, as well as eight short films. Screening Tues Oct 17 at 7:00 PM - The Majestic Theatre Feature Film: Party Pirate Director: Ruth Lawrence Starring: Luke Lawrence, Mary Walsh (The Missus Downstairs, CODCO) When Tommy is fired twice in the same week and finds out his brilliant best friend and lifeline, Costa, is leaving the country for a better job, he seizes an oppo ..read more

Warner Bros. Pictures By Natalie Dignam Greta Gerwig’s Barbie set a box office record with the biggest debut for a film by a woman director in history, earning $354 million on the weekend of its release. The internet is on fire with Gerwig’s summer blockbuster: the ingenious marketing campaign that took over our social media feeds; debate on whether the film is a thoughtful feminist commentary or we’ve all been hoodwinked into watching a two-hour Mattel ad; the trappings of girl culture; the historical significance of Gerwig’s top grossing film.    SJIWFF team member Natalie Dignam ..read more

  The cast and crew of Poster Child. Photo by Kerry Gamberg. June 2023. It's a common sight on any film set; a director watches the monitors, preparing to give feedback to the actors and crew. After the shot, the team gathers to reset, and the director shares notes with the cast. The unusual part of this particular shoot is who is on set: almost entirely women. Last Fall, Brianna Russell was announced as the 13th recipient of the RBC Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award. Founded and administered by St. John's International Women's Film Festival in honour of the late St. John's filmm ..read more

Red Dress Day is a national day of awareness in response to the epidemic of murdered and missing indigenous women across Canada. It is inspired by the REDress Project, a public art installation created by Jamie Black. The following films by women-identifying directors tell the stories of indigenous women and girls, including survivors and activists. Two-thirds of First Nations (64%) and Métis (65%) women have experienced violent victimization in their lifetime.     Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On Director Madison Thomas won a Canadian Screen Award for her feature documentary about t ..read more