Local Heroes with National Metis Week 2023

Join us for an amazing selection of films by Alberta Indigenous filmmakers in recognition of National Metis Week. This screening, sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, takes place on Thursday Nov. 16 from 7-8:30pm at the Muttart Theatre in the Downtown Public Library. This event is free.

Raven Steals the Light – Directed by Daniel Foreman

Raven is the craftiest of all creatures. Be transported into a magical animated world where Raven is flying blindly in the endless night. He decides to steal all the light in the world from Sky Father, which is no easy task. The story is adapted from an ancient Haida (North Pacific Coast First Nations) myth.

Braves Wear Braids- Directed by Jamie Starlight

Braves Wear Braids is an empowering short documentary focused on encouraging Indigenous youth not to cut their hair. Through personal stories we look at the challenges faced by many Indigenous families to continue the long-standing tradition of wearing long hair in order to keep the connection that ties them, not only to their culture and ancestors, but also to Creator. Through education, understanding, and allyship this important piece of culture can continue to be passed down to future generations.

Kaashkitamaashoo -Directed by Dawn Nagazina

A woman’s exploration of her Métis identity; the quieting of her inner voice saying she’s not ‘Indigenous enough’.

Marilyn- Directed by Daniel Martin & Barett Klesko

When three Hollywood Elite ruin a local Beauty Pageant, a mysterious newcomer wows them and steals the show. But is winning it all really what they want?

Hop Along Hang On- Directed by Cobra Collins

How do you take back a story you didn’t know was yours? How do you move forward while embracing and understanding your past? Follow Rose the rabbit as she seeks her way back home. A poetic story of reclamation, recovery and reconciliation by spoken word artist Cobra Collins.

The Girl Who Talks to the Moon- Directed by Neil Grahn

The Girl Who Talks to the Moon is a Canadian web-series . It follows the adventures of an inquisitive girl named Harmony who lives on the magical island of Haida Gwaii. Every night before she falls asleep, the moon gives Harmony a fun task, like learning how to make a kite. In her dreams Harmony completes the task with the help of friendly animals. Along the way she learns about the ancient Haida language through song and play. The show is a combination of stopmotion animation, live action and hand puppets.

Join us in the afternoon at the Kaleido Family Arts Festival on September 16th for some short films that the whole family can enjoy.  The films range from animations, music videos, and comedy shorts. There will be something for every member of the family!

“Memories” Directed by Adriel (Strenneth) Rosenfeldt
 Robin’s mind is full of her memories and experiences and is home to a figure of her consciousness who makes decisions to keep Robin safe and happy. This figure is faced with watching painful memories and struggles to see any purpose with storing them. She must make the hard decision whether to destroy the memories and everything connected to them or to try to live with them in harmony. The final destination of these memories could have an effect on Robin’s identity, her future and perception of herself.

“Gerry Mouse” Directed by Tom Robinson
A child mouse facing homelessness and shelter life for the first time steps up to the challenges from friends and foe.

“Marionette Man” Directed by Christina Ridenour
 Be careful what you say, you never know who’s listening…

“Early Birds” Directed by Cole Stevenson
 A small penguin tries to find a friend to play with.

“Old Dragon Man” Directed By Douglas Cook
 “Old Dragon Man” is a heartfelt short film that follows the introspective journey of an elderly artist as he paints a majestic dragon. As he brings the creature to life on his canvas, he is overcome with nostalgia, reflecting on the hardships and sacrifices he endured in pursuit of his artistic passion.

“Marilyn” Directed by Daniel Martin
 When three Hollywood Elite ruin a local Beauty Pageant, a mysterious newcomer wows them and steals the show. But is winning it all really what they want?

“Squeaks and Cheeks” Directed by Rebecca Campbell
 Cheeks, a fun-loving bunny in a wheelchair, and Squeaks a problem-solving piggy with a plan, are two young detectives who solve silly mysteries for their friends in this engaging stop-motion animated series.

​Local Heroes at Indigenous Month 2023

The Local Heroes Film Festival, managed by the Edmonton Short Film Festival, is proud to represent and host our Indigenous screening event Thursday, June 29, from 8:30 to 10:00 PM, where a collection of Indigenous short films will be presented outdoors. Join us at the Dreamspeakers Centre (11051 97 St NW) in hearing the diverse and touching stories that the films entail!

Back To Ste. Madeleine directed by Jack Belhumeur
Jack Belhumeur invites the viewers on a ride along as he travels with his father and son to the site of their ancestral community. Jack tells the dark history but paints a brighter narrative of a resilient and strong people with strong roots.

Kaashkitamaashoo directed by Chantelle Marie Anderson
A woman’s exploration of her Métis identity; the quieting of her inner voice saying she’s not ‘Indigenous enough’.

Mary Mackagonne directed by Sean Smith
The film is about Mary Mackagonne, a Swampy Cree woman who goes entirely uncredited in Canadian history. The wife of Peter Fidler, a map-maker for the Hudson’s Bay Company, she lived the life of a trader, canoeing alongside him on his expeditions and contributing labour to the building and maintaining of forts while also caring for their fourteen children.

Obscheenies directed by Barry Bilinksy
A new roster of camp counsellors arrive at a lake side resort for the summer, but they quickly learn that the stories are true: there is more in the woods than you know

The Hadlee Projects directed by Brandon Wilson
Hadlee begins living with her weekend dad Michael, permanently. With their worlds converging, Hadlee, a loveable and quick witted opportunist tries to navigate life with dad but things don’t go as planned when she takes matters into her own hands.

​Local Heroes at International Festival of Winter Cinema 2023

Join us on February 17th at the Silver Skate Festival in conjunction with the International Festival of Winter Cinema. Canada’s only ice screen in majestic Hawrelak park screens the best of Alberta short film.

Dilly Diggers (9:50) by Director Eva Colmers, Alberta, Canada
Dilly is a curious little mole who loves to dig. Day in. Day out. Dig, dig, dig. But he is not so good at staying on task.Today, Dilly is supposed to find mushrooms for dinner but gets distracted by a funny butterfly, a fuzzy caterpillar and a friendly Giraffe. Will Dilly find the mushrooms and keep his promise?

Early Birds (3:23) by Director Cole Stevenson, Alberta, Canada
A small penguin tries to find a friend to play with.

Hearth of the Lion (6:38) by Director Vicki Van Chau, Alberta, Canada 
Hearth of the Lion illustrates the bond between three brothers, with their dedication, discipline and passion on display, as they embody the powerful movements of the lion and the fire of the wok hearth.

It’s Just Water (5:12) by Director Braden Dereniwski, Alberta, Canada
Learned behaviours and belief systems plague generations but what it might look like to ‘break the cycle’.

Memories  (3:59) by Director Adriel (Strenneth) Rosenfeldt, Alberta, Canada
Robin’s mind is full of her memories and experiences and is home to a figure of her consciousness who makes decisions to keep Robin safe and happy. This figure is faced with watching painful memories and struggles to see any purpose with storing them. She must make the hard decision whether to destroy the memories and everything connected to them or to try to live with them in harmony. The final destination of these memories could have an effect on Robin’s identity, her future and perception of herself.

Razor Blades 3:54 by Director Daelan Wood, Alberta, Canada
A music video filmed by award winning filmmaker, Daelan Wood, for the track “Razor Blades” by Nathaniel Sutton. It features an arial view of the indie singer-songwriter, performing from a variety of locations found within Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

Sled (4:30) by Director Colin Waugh, Byron Martin, Alberta, Canada
A self-anointed world-class tobogganer gives a behind the scenes look at the life and lore of this radical fringe sport.

Tango Through Life (6:36) by Director Zsofia Opra-Szabo, Alberta, Canada
Life is like a dance where we do not know the dance steps… Tango Through Life explores how every interaction with others effects and changes us. It is a rather universal experience, presented in a unique way through the traditional Tango dance.

The Ol’96er: Conquering Commonwealth (7:29) by Director Trent Schneider, Alberta, Canada
The Ol’96er is one of the hardest challenges in the Edmonton fitness community. To complete it you must run the entire lower bowl and upper bowl of Commonwealth Stadium in under an hour. There are only two attempts per year at the Ol’96er, so many come out to try and accomplish it, but few succeed. Follow Curtis, Josh & Lazina as they try to complete the challenge for the first time.

The Crossing Place (6:30) by Director Sandra Vida, Alberta, Canada
The Crossing Place continues the artist’s ongoing themes of identity, ancestry, and earth-based spirituality. Enacting an implied narrative of exploration and growth, these characters intersect, influence each other, and enable self-discovery and finally decisive action in The Crossing Place between these worlds. A poignant soundtrack accompanies the flowing montage of imagery, including the sound of the drone of an Uilleann pipe, along with voicing by the performers and natural sounds of wind, water, and fire.

​Local Heroes with Black History Month 2023

Join us on February 23 at 7:00 PM at the Muttart Theatre at the Stanley A. Milner Library (downtown at 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB) as we celebrate Black History Month with a screening of short films featuring Black creatives. After the one-hour screening of these amazing short films by Alberta filmmakers, four Directors will be available for a Q & A session.

Framed Directed by Nic Collar
“When Jaquan is asked to betray his best friend in order to save his brother, he embarks on a night where nothing will ever be the same.”

Mean Hakeem Directed by Evan Bourque
“Mean Hakeem tells the story of UFC fighter Hakeem Dawodu. The film, which features first-time actors, describes his journey to overcome abuse, poverty, and drug addiction to become a UFC fighter.”

Race Anonymous Directed by Melanee Murray
“Can race be an addiction? Can a culture, countries and whole groups of people be hooked on the false “high” of racial identity? An alternate Universe where anything can happen, Race Anonymous is one-part political treatise and one-part trek through the strange, taboo twilight zone of race in North America. Kyle, an out of work construction worker, hones in on his “suspicious looking” co-workers, only to realize that they are not who he thinks they are. In his journey to recover from race- and other addictions- he realizes that he has a choice- about who he can be.”

Shades of Worth Directed by Nauzanin Knight
“An exploration of beauty and self-worth in Black women.”

Illusion: The Fear Directed by Valécia Pépin
“Thinking that she has been freed from the grip of her pimp, a young sex worker named Dice who works in the street is surprised by her assailant, who reminds her that she is his property and she belongs to him.”

1000 Brazils of Truth Directed by Sheena Rossiter , Sandro Silva
“São Paulo is a megacity full of paradoxes. It’s a place to lose yourself, but where you can find yourself too. It is beauty in concrete and chaos. “1000 Brazils of Truth” is an original song that’s an ode to Latin America’s largest city and the people who call it home.”

Black and Blue Directed by Justin Kueber
“Nine-year-old troublemaker, Katie is forced to spend a day with her old, blind Grandpa. Through their interactions, she unknowingly gives him something priceless; his memories.”

​Local Heroes at Deep Freeze Festival 2023

Local Heroes Film Festival Presents A Selection of Short Films by Alberta Filmmakers 

Saturday January 21^st. 1-3pm St. Faith’s Church

The Local Heroes Film Festival (managed by the Edmonton Short Film Festival) is bringing a specially curated selection of short films for you to enjoy for free. These short films, by Alberta independent filmmakers, offer a diverse range of stories.

This one-hour program will begin at 1pm and go to 2pm and then these films will be screened again from 2pm to 3pm. (listed in alphabetical order)

Building Hope by Co-Producer Lorna Thomas
Men in the trades share both their work and substance use experiences in order to hammer home a message about harm reduction.

Dilly Digger by Director Eva Colmers
Dilly is a curious little mole who loves to dig. Day in. Day out. Dig, dig, dig. But he is not so good at staying on task.

Early Birds by Director Cole Stevenson
A small penguin tries to find a friend to play with.

From Fantasy to Galaxy by Director Matthew Dutczak
This limited web series explores the history of one of Canada’s most iconic amusement parks. Before Galaxyland adorned its outer space theme, before it expanded to include an iconic roller coaster, West Edmonton Mall’s theme park was simply known as: Fantasyland.

Kaashkitamaashoo by Director Chantelle Marie Anderson
A woman’s exploration of her Métis identity; the quieting of her inner voice saying she’s not ‘Indigenous enough’.

O No Nose by Director Ian Walker
Faced with a day of adult responsibilities, a woman tries to suppress her inner clown, who just wants to have fun.

Tango Through Life by Director Zsofia Opra-Szabo
Life is like a dance where we do not know the dance steps… Visually stunning and highly symbolic, Tango Through Life explores how every interaction with others effects and changes us. It is a rather universal experience, presented in a unique way through the traditional Tango dance.

The Crossing Place by Director Sandra Vida
The Crossing Place continues the artist’s ongoing themes of identity, ancestry, and earth-based spirituality. Growing out of a residency in Ireland the artist took on several personas. Enacting an implied narrative of exploration and growth, these characters intersect, influence each other, and enable self-discovery and finally decisive action in The Crossing Place between these worlds.

​Local Heroes at Kaleido Family Arts Festival

September 17 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Alberta Avenue Community League | Free Admission

Local Heroes Film Festival, presented by Edmonton Short Film Festival, is pleased to bring a curated lineup of independent short films by Alberta filmmakers to the Kaleido Family Arts Festival.

Support local creatives and make “movie-worthy” memories with short films the whole family will love.

A free event in honour and recognition of Indigenous History Month. Local Heroes Film Festival is bringing you a screening of short films in recognition and celebration of National Indigenous History Month.