Color of the Stone

The larger-than-life story of Kim Dotcom, the 'most wanted man online', is extraordinary enough, but the battle between Dotcom and the US Government and entertainment industry—being fought in New Zealand—is one that goes to the heart of ownership, privacy and piracy in the digital age.

Never before have we watched as much porn as today yet the traditional porn industry is dying. The arrival of web sites showing amateur clips has transformed the way porn is made and consumed. Behind this transformation lies one opaque multinational.

Five women veterans who have endured unimaginable trauma in service create a shared sisterhood to help the rising number of stranded homeless women veterans by entering a competition that unexpectedly catalyzes moving events in their own lives.

The 2nd short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. In the 18th and 19th centuries, optical views were shown in optical boxes with magnifying lenses. The showmen organised a real spectacle, with a barker, music and sound effects. The views played with light (transparencies, perforations). A series of engravings shows the public's enthusiasm for these shows. The second part of the film is a reconstruction of such a show. First, there are views of Paris, Venice, Constantinople and Versailles, followed by various disasters: plague, floods, fires and shipwrecks.

The enigma of the personality cult is revealed in the grand spectacle of Stalin’s funeral. The film is based on unique archive footage, shot in the USSR on March 5 - 9, 1953, when the country mourned and buried Joseph Stalin.

Renee Tajima-Peña takes to the road to investigate questions about Asian-American identity.

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin celebrates one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, following his evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels inspired millions to reclaim their lives.

The 6th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Featuring demonstrations of magic lanterns by children.

Inspired by the powerful true story of the Igbo Landing of 1803, where a group of enslaved Africans chose the ocean over slavery. This poetic film follows African freediver Tatiana Mendes as she confronts her own inner turmoil beneath the surface. Through the discipline of freediving, she dives into more than just water. She descends into inherited trauma, ancestral memory, and the quiet violence of modern life.

A short documentary on the plight of people with disabilities in the Soviet Union.

What advantage does space travel bring to mankind? A father and his son search for answers during a walk in the forest.

Garnetta Cromwell, a blues and soul musician of african descent has a lifelongdream of becoming a professional blues singer. Even though she had temporary deafness atthe ripe age of 5 from lying on the floor and putting her ear to the speaker so she could listen toAretha Franklin’s voice, she didn't see it as an obstacle but instead as a revelation that singingis her calling. Garnetta wants the world to hear her voice. She wants to promote and inspire theyounger generation of blues artists regardless of their race or gender. But as we all know, theworld always has something different planned for us.

This short documentary delves into the last week of training camp for Jean Pascal, ex-light heavyweight world champion at 41, who aspires to become the best in his category again.

This short film tells the deeply personal and emotional journey of a father who made the life-altering decision to immigrate to Canada from Congo with his family. Narrated from his perspective, it dives into the challenges and obstacles he faced while fleeing his home country.

The mourning has passed, it is not time to lament, but to celebrate, to wait for the rituals to work and for our dead to come, but how will they know the way if it is increasingly diffused?

Two long-time friends, Makahi and Yannick, reflect on their respective journeys as artists in different disciplines—visual arts and music production. The two delve into their experiences as young Black artists in Ottawa, sharing insights into their paths and creative growth.

Nestled in Parkdale, Toronto, West Lodge Apartments stands as a testament to endurance and hardship. This film delves into the lives within these walls, from the battles of disrepair and crime to the inspiring solidarity in the face of adversity. Built in 1964, follows the journey of West Lodge's transformation from a symbol of struggle to a beacon of hope, as residents and new investments reshape their shared future.

Exiled after Haiti’s political struggles of the 90s, Mikerlande—a former activist and now entrepreneur—rekindles memories of resilience and commitment. Through griot, she shares a story of struggle, legacy, and strength, bridging past and present to preserve her heritage.

The 8th short film as part of the Magica series dealing with pre-cinema. Fictionalised documentary about Emile Reynau who invented the praxinoscope and its system of central mirrors. He then projects his paper strips into the projection praxinoscope before creating the Théâtre Optique, presented at the Musée Grévin. The perforated strips are fragile and often break. The show is cancelled. Reynaud tries to apply photography to his praxinoscope, but without success. Desperate and ruined, he throws his strips into the Seine. Only two survived.

Sara writes a harsh blog about the bleak lives of Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) women. Shulamit is an independent photographer who documents violent incidents on segregated busses on which women are required to seat at the back. Both of them were banned by their communities because of their desire to live normal, unsuppressed lives. These young women operate entirely alone and pay a very high price for violating the number-one rule of Haredi society: "Never air a dirty laundry in public." As they expose the violence of Haredi fanatics, acting in the name of modesty, they are punished by persecution and vilification. What will happen to them when they can no longer bear being shunned by their own family and friends? Wich way will they choose? where will they go? Black Bus, Soreret, tells the story of their singlehanded and courageous attempts to document and lead a change in the Haredi Society from which they have fled.