The National Film Board of Canada will be prominently showcased at the 2025 Festival cinéma du monde de Sherbrooke (FCMS) with six feature-length documentaries, including two in competition (Cercle d'or Meilleur documentaire) and one in the Ciné-Échange series of screenings followed by talks. Filmmakers Halima Elkhatabi (Cohabiter/Living Together), Kim O'Bomsawin (Ninan Auassat: Nous les enfants/Ninan Auassat: We, the Children), Virginia Tangvald (Les enfants du large/Ghosts of the Sea) and Anne-Marie Rocher (Forêts urbaines/Urban Forests) will be present for their screenings. The 12th edition of the FCMS takes place from April 7 to 13, 2025, in Sherbrooke.
NFB productions and co-productions at the 2025 FCMS
Cohabiter (Living Together) by Halima Elkhatabi (documentary, 75 min)
Halima Elkhatabi in attendance
Thursday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
Against the backdrop of the housing crisis, young people looking for the ideal roommate open up about themselves in this engaging portrait of a generation accustomed to playing all their identity cards. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was selected to screen at Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma.
Forêts urbaines (Urban Forests) by Anne-Marie Rocher (documentary, 95 min)
Anne-Marie Rocher and production manager Doris Lapierre in attendance
In competition: Cercle d'or Meilleur documentaire
Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
Sunday, April 13, 3:30 p.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
Green spaces have long been neglected in our cities, but in recent years, grassroots mobilization has helped us rediscover the beneficial effects of urban forests. Exploring innovative nature-restoration projects in cities across Canada, Urban Forests is nothing less than an antidote to pessimism.
Les enfants du large (Ghosts of the Sea) by Virginia Tangvald (documentary, 97 min)
Virginia Tangvald in attendance
Tuesday, April 8, 3:30 p.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
While searching for clues about the death of her brother Thomas, who was lost at sea, the filmmaker embarks on a fascinating investigation into her family's dark secrets. Calling into question the idyllic life of her father, legendary sailor Peter Tangvald, her quest dismantles the myth of absolute freedom. The film, which won the Prix du public TV5 at the 2024 Festival du nouveau cinéma, will open in theatres in Quebec in 2025.
Arab Women Say What?! (Les femmes arabes disent ÇA?) by Nisreen Baker (documentary, English and Arabic with French subtitles, 82 min)
Ciné-Échange
Friday, April 11, 6:00 p.m. - Centre culturel de l'Université de Sherbrooke
The film offers a counter-mainstream narrative that embraces the unique experiences and perspectives of eight Arab women sharing their insights, cuisine and laughter. Amid the rhythm of poetry and music, they tackle issues of feminism, politics, exile and the yearning for a sense of belonging.
Ninan Auassat: Nous, les enfants (Ninan Auassat: We, the Children) by Kim O'Bomsawin (documentary, 93 min)
Kim O'Bomsawin in attendance
Wednesday, April 9, 3:30 p.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
This film from Abenaki filmmaker Kim O'Bomsawin celebrates the power and vitality of Indigenous youth, speaking for themselves. The film won awards at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) in 2024.
Wilfred Buck by Lisa Jackson (documentary, English and Cree with French subtitles, 96 min)
In competition: Cercle d'or Meilleur documentaire
Tuesday, April 8, 12:30 p.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. - La Maison du Cinéma
This portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations. The film was a Top 5 Audience Favourite at Hot Docs 2024.
