Biography

Films celebrating the life and times of notable Canadians, past and present.
  • film

    William Shatner Sings O Canada

    Our national anthem like you've never heard it before
    When William Shatner gets an award from Canada's Governor General, he shows appreciation as only Shatner can. This is something you don't want to miss.
  • film

    Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame

    Journey through the life of one of the greatest Canadians of all time
    Meet the real Tommy Douglas with this feature documentary tracing his career from premier of Saskatchewan to leader of the New Democratic Party and “Father of Medicare.”
  • film

    Bryan Adams: Governor-General's Performing Arts Award Tribute

    On a day like today
    Meet Bryan Adams in his Vancouver studio for a chat and an intimate rendition of his song "One World, One Flame."

Films

Brian Macdonald, Virtuoso Eclectic  

Brian Macdonald, Virtuoso Eclectic

  • Framed against archival stills from Brian Macdonald's considerable career, this short ...
  • by Tim Southam,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 27 s
Family Band  

Family Band

  • In this short documentary about The Tragically Hip, director David Battistella uses ...
  • by David Battistella,
  • 2008,
  • 7 min 28 s
Anton & the Piano  
Available with closed captioning

Anton & the Piano

  • A short film featuring pianist Anton Kuerti. The virtuoso demonstrates the inner ...
  • by David Acomba,
  • 2008,
  • 6 min 3 s
The Real Place  

The Real Place

  • Animator Cam Christiansen gives Texas-born playwright John Murrell's imagination free rein ...
  • by Cam Christiansen,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 26 s
A Charman Event  

A Charman Event

  • Eric Charman is the life of the party, and not only because ...
  • by Carl Bessai,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 40 s
Pag  

Pag

  • All his life, Michel Pagliaro (Pag) has been on a quest for ...
  • by Éric Tessier,
  • 2008,
  • 5 min 34 s
Congratulations, Mr. Levy  

Congratulations, Mr. Levy

Dream Magic  

Dream Magic

  • This revealing portrait of NFB filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin was shown at a ...
  • by Katerina Cizek,
  • 2008,
  • 4 min 41 s
The Whirlwind of Your Passion: A Philanthropist's Dream  
Available with closed captioning

The Whirlwind of Your Passion: A Philanthropist's Dream

Edith Butler - Daughter of the Wind and Acadie  
Available with closed captioning

Edith Butler - Daughter of the Wind and Acadie

  • Combining interviews with teachers, admirers and musical peers, as well as footage ...
  • by Monique LeBlanc,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 53 s
Clémence Desrochers - Clémence Among the Gods  
Available with closed captioning

Clémence Desrochers - Clémence Among the Gods

  • Director Philippe Baylaucq captures Clémence Desrochers in total candidness, as she recounts ...
  • by Philippe Baylaucq,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 51 s
Robert Lepage  
Available with closed captioning

Robert Lepage

  • Director J. Peter Allen borrows a page from Robert Lepage's favourite ...
  • by Jeremy Peter Allen,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 14 s
Listen  
Available with closed captioning

Listen

  • "A soundscape is any collection of sounds, almost like a painting is ...
  • by David New,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 21 s
Capturing George  

Capturing George

  • George F. Walker's career has spanned almost four decades, but Rolly ...
  • by Scott Smith,
  • 2009,
  • 6 min 7 s
Remembrance  

Remembrance

  • An award-winning actor, writer, producer and director, Paul Gross has struggled to ...
  • by Randy Bradshaw,
  • 2009,
  • 4 min 54 s
Peggy Baker: Four Phrases  
Available with closed captioning

Peggy Baker: Four Phrases

  • Built around an intimate interview with the acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer ...
  • by Howie Shia,
  • 2009,
  • 5 min 25 s
Buffy  
Available with closed captioning

Buffy

  • Folk music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie became internationally renowned with her protest song ...
  • by John Walker,
  • 2010,
  • 6 min 16 s
The Impresario  

The Impresario

  • Walter Homburger helped bring Glenn Gould and a succession of other great ...
  • by Anita Doron,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 5 s
When You Give of Yourself  
Available with closed captioning

When You Give of Yourself

  • Mohammed and Yulanda Faris are generous and devoted patrons of the arts ...
  • by Lynne Stopkewich,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 46 s
The Sentry  
Available with closed captioning

The Sentry

  • Actor Françoise Faucher has embodied some of the greatest roles in French ...
  • by ONFB,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min
Lock  
Available with closed captioning

Lock

  • Choreographer Edouard Lock believes that movement embodies our interests and desires. In ...
  • by Louise Archambault,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 24 s
Bryan Adams: Governor-General's Performing Arts Award Tribute  

Bryan Adams: Governor-General's Performing Arts Award Tribute

  • Bryan Adams is one of world’s most enduringly popular singer/songwriters ...
  • by David Battistella,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 16 s
Move Your Mind  
Available with closed captioning

Move Your Mind

  • Faith. Heart. Imagination. These are the principles to which director Robin Phillips ...
  • by Hubert Davis,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 51 s
Yannick Nézet-Séguin: No Intermission  

Yannick Nézet-Séguin: No Intermission

  • He is a young man; an optimist drawn to dark music and ...
  • by Theodore Ushev,
  • 2010,
  • 5 min 54 s
Jean André Élie  

Jean André Élie

  • This short film reveals that the visionary and gregarious Jean André Élie ...
  • by ,
  • 2011,
  • 5 min 43 s
Yvon Deschamps  

Yvon Deschamps

What If?  
Available with closed captioning

What If?

  • "Always remember to play," says Leslee Silverman, the visionary force behind the ...
  • by Noam Gonick,
  • 2011,
  • 5 min 16 s
Rated R for Nudity  

Rated R for Nudity

  • In this short film, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve takes a playful stab at ...
  • by ,
  • 2011,
  • 3 min 23 s
Uncommon Hero  

Uncommon Hero

  • This short film pays tribute to Paul Thompson, a man who has ...
  • by John L'Ecuyer,
  • 2011,
  • 4 min 8 s
A Composer's Dream  

A Composer's Dream

  • This short film demonstrates how Howard Shore has distinguished himself as one ...
  • by Barbara Willis-Sweete,
  • 2011,
  • 7 min 37 s
Source  

Source

  • In this short film, Margie Gillis becomes the very embodiment of modern ...
  • by Pepita Ferrari,
  • 2011,
  • 6 min 7 s
Available for download
China Mission: The Chester Ronning Story  

China Mission: The Chester Ronning Story

  • Tom Radford's documentary chronicles the life of Chester Ronning, best remembered ...
  • by Tom Radford,
  • 1980,
  • 57 min 36 s
Available for download
The Sword of the Lord  

The Sword of the Lord

  • This documentary records the extraordinary determination of Jungle Jim Hunter to be ...
  • by Giles Walker,
  • 1976,
  • 57 min 50 s
The Quest  

The Quest

  • This short film is a re-enactment of the critical year in Dr ...
  • by Stanley Jackson,
  • 1958,
  • 38 min 13 s
Available for download
Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry  

Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry

Available for download
Margaret Atwood: Once in August  

Margaret Atwood: Once in August

  • In Margaret Atwood: Once in August, filmmaker Michael Rubbo attempts to discover ...
  • by Michael Rubbo,
  • 1984,
  • 57 min 25 s
CAMPUS
A Little Fellow from Gambo - The Joey Smallwood Story  

A Little Fellow from Gambo - The Joey Smallwood Story

  • This feature-length documentary paints a lively portrait of Father of Confederation and ...
  • by Julian Biggs,
  • 1970,
  • 56 min 11 s
  • more options
    • What do you want to do?
    • Play the film
    • Download the film
    • Add to your playlist
Available for download
Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen  

Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen

Available for download
Lonely Boy  

Lonely Boy

Lismer  

Lismer

  • This short documentary looks at the work of artist Arthur Lismer, a ...
  • by Allan Wargon,
  • 1951,
  • 19 min 10 s
The Kid Who Couldn't Miss  

The Kid Who Couldn't Miss

  • Paul Cowan's feature-length film combines fiction and reality to tell the ...
  • by Paul Cowan,
  • 1982,
  • 79 min 16 s
Jack Rabbit  

Jack Rabbit

  • This short film retraces the life of Herman Smith Johannsen – the man ...
  • by William Brind,
  • 1975,
  • 28 min 40 s
I Don't Have to Work that Big  

I Don't Have to Work that Big

  • A short documentary about sculptor Joe Fafard. Joe knows cows. He knows ...
  • by Michael McKennirey,
  • 1973,
  • 27 min 20 s
Available for download
Hofmann's Potion  
Available with closed captioning

Hofmann's Potion

  • This documentary offers a compassionate, open-minded look at LSD and how it ...
  • by Connie Littlefield,
  • 2002,
  • 56 min 35 s
Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows  
Available with closed captioning

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

  • In this feature-length documentary, director Paul Jay was given unprecedented access to ...
  • by Paul Jay,
  • 1998,
  • 93 min 36 s
Available for download
Varley  

Varley

  • A portrait of Frederick Varley, Canadian painter and member of the Group ...
  • by Allan Wargon,
  • 1953,
  • 16 min 23 s
Available for download
Ten Million Books: An Introduction to Farley Mowat  

Ten Million Books: An Introduction to Farley Mowat

  • Farley Mowat has sold more books than any other Canadian writer – 10 ...
  • by Andy Thomson,
  • 1981,
  • 25 min 15 s
Available for download
Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame  

Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame

  • This feature documentary traces the political career of T.C. (Tommy) Douglas ...
  • by Elise Swerhone,
  • 1986,
  • 57 min 47 s
Georges P. Vanier: Soldier, Diplomat, Governor General  
Available with described video

Georges P. Vanier: Soldier, Diplomat, Governor General

  • This short documentary looks at Governor General Georges Vanier: his military service ...
  • by Clément Perron,
  • 1960,
  • 29 min 25 s
Dashan - Ambassador to China's Funny Bone  
Available with closed captioning

Dashan - Ambassador to China's Funny Bone

  • This documentary introduces us to Mark Rowswell, a Canadian comedian virtually unknown ...
  • by Guy Nantel,
  • 1996,
  • 50 min
David Fennario's Banana Boots  
Available with closed captioning

David Fennario's Banana Boots

  • This documentary invites you to join acclaimed playwright David Fennario for a ...
  • by Alec MacLeod,
  • 1998,
  • 48 min 20 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle   

The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle

  • The final instalment of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1986,
  • 87 min 2 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power   

The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power

  • Part 2 of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1978,
  • 55 min 35 s
Available for download
The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors  

The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors

  • In Part 1 of this 3-part documentary series, director Donald Brittain chronicles ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1978,
  • 57 min 10 s
Available for download
Democracy on Trial: The Morgentaler Affair  

Democracy on Trial: The Morgentaler Affair

  • Paul Cowan's film captures the spirit of the legal battle over ...
  • by Paul Cowan,
  • 1984,
  • 58 min 42 s
Buster Keaton Rides Again  

Buster Keaton Rides Again

  • In this film Keaton rides across Canada on a railway scooter and ...
  • by John Spotton,
  • 1965,
  • 55 min 25 s
Available for download
Bethune  

Bethune

  • This feature documentary is a biography of Dr. Norman Bethune, the Canadian ...
  • by Donald Brittain,
  • 1964,
  • 58 min 38 s
Alter Egos  

Alter Egos

  • In this award-winning animated documentary we meet two unusual artists. Ryan Larkin ...
  • by Laurence Green,
  • 2004,
  • 52 min 27 s
30 Minutes, Mister Plummer  

30 Minutes, Mister Plummer

  • This short documentary profiles Canadian actor Christopher Plummer of the Shakespearean Theater ...
  • by Anne Claire Poirier,
  • 1963,
  • 27 min 29 s
William Shatner Sings O Canada  

William Shatner Sings O Canada

  • When William Shatner gets a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada's Governor ...
  • by Jacob Medjuck,
  • 2011,
  • 5 min 28 s