Canada Day
About the playlist
In honour of the holiday, we've put together a selection of films that reflect and honour our great country.
Happy Canada Day!
Selected films
Finding Farley
- In this full-length documentary husband-and-wife team Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison (Being Caribou), along with their 2-year old son and dog, retrace the literary footsteps of Canadian writer Farley Mowat. They paddle east from Calgary, towards the Prairies (the geography of Born Naked and Owls in the Family) and then ...
- by Leanne Allison ,
- 2009,
- 62 min 49 s
The Sweater
- In this animated short, Roch Carrier recounts the most mortifying moment of his childhood. At a time when all his friends worshipped Maurice "Rocket" Richard and wore his number 9 Canadiens hockey jersey, the boy was mistakenly sent a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey from Eaton's. Unable to convince his ...
- by Sheldon Cohen ,
- 1980,
- 10 min 21 s
Canada Vignettes: Log Driver's Waltz
- This lighthearted, animated short is based on the song "The Log Driver's Waltz" by Wade Hemsworth. Easily one of the most often-requested films in the NFB collection, Kate and Anna McGarrigle sing along to the tale of a young girl who loves to dance and chooses to marry a ...
- by John Weldon ,
- 1979,
- 3 min
Roses Sing on New Snow
-
In this animated short, Maylin cooks mouth-watering meals at her father's restaurant in Chinatown, but her father and brothers take all the credit. When a dignitary from China visits and tastes one her dishes, Maylin finally earns recognition.
Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring ... - by Yuan Zhang ,
- 2002,
- 7 min 4 s
William Shatner Sings O Canada
-
When William Shatner gets a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada's Governor General, he shows appreciation as only Shatner can. In this short film, the most famous space cadet in showbiz takes helm of our heritage and treats us to a memorable rendition of Canada's national anthem.
Produced by ... - by Jacob Medjuck ,
- 2011,
- 5 min 28 s
Bryan Adams: Bare Bones
- Bryan Adams is one of world’s most enduringly popular singer/songwriters. He is most at home in his Vancouver studio, surrounded by his collection of vintage microphones and guitars. Adams calls it “a very analog space in a very digital world.” In this short documentary, we witness an intimate ...
- by David Battistella ,
- 2010,
- 5 min 16 s
Momentum
- Go head-to-head with an icebreaker. Plunge down a twisting mountain gorge. Soar through the clouds in the nosecone of a jet, then speed along with a dog team as it races across a frozen Arctic lake. A sweeping, moving tribute to Canada's stunning geography and rich cultural heritage, Momentum ...
- by Tony Ianzelo ,
- Colin Low ,
- 1992,
- 20 min
The Girl Who Hated Books
- This animated short about literacy introduces us to Meena, a young girl who hates books even though her parents love to read. Books are everywhere in Meena's house, in cupboards, drawers and even piled up on the stairs. Still, she refuses to even open one up. But when her ...
- by Jo Meuris ,
- 2006,
- 7 min 21 s
Christopher Changes His Name
- This animated short for children tells the story of Christopher, a little boy who didn't want to be called Christopher anymore. Such a common name! When Aunty Gail from Trinidad tells him a story about a Tiger, Christopher changes his name to Tiger. But then he finds a better ...
- by Cilia Sawadogo ,
- 2000,
- 6 min 30 s
Maq and the Spirit of the Woods
- This animated short tells the story of Maq, a Mi’gmaq boy who realizes his potential with the help of inconspicuous mentors. When an elder in the community offers him a small piece of pipestone, Maq carves a little person out of it. Proud of his work, the boy wants ...
- by Phyllis Grant ,
- 2006,
- 8 min 29 s
