Three exciting arts festivals are happening in Toronto this week! See compelling Indigenous stories unfold on screen at ImagineNATIVE Film Festival, see innovative new theatre productions at the Next Stage Theatre Festival, or watch a live podcast taping (with special guests like Margaret Atwood) at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival.

ImagineNATIVE Film Festival (October 17-23)

Short Film Program 3: A Mother’s Love

This program of short films honours the different ways that motherhood can exist, transcend boundaries, and remain strong and resilient. Featured films include istén:′a, The Sky is Very Pretty, Entre Nous Locataires (Between Us Tenants), Camping, AYKUO, Nigiqtuq (The South Wind), and He Karu He Taringa. More info here.

When: October 18

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox

Tautuktavuk (What We See)

Tautuktavuk explores the bond between two sisters, Uyarak and Saqpinak, separated by thousands of miles during the pandemic. Exploring heartache, violence, family and healing, the film is inspired by the lives of co-directors and sisters Lucy Tulugarjuk and Carol Kunnuk. More info here.

When: October 18

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox

TV Watch Party: Reservation Dogs

Catch up on the latest season of the Indigenous comedy Reservation Dogs at this TV watch party! Watch the first three episodes of the third season, followed by a Q&A with co-producer and writer Migizi Pensoneau. More info here.

When: October 19

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox

Short Film Program 10: Long Line of Ladies

These films capture the strength of women upholding generational power and breaking cycles, their connection to the land, and ancestral knowledge. Featured films include: Nisihkason Lex, Mother (EADNI), Whirlflow, Gabriela, Metal Belt, Long Line of Ladies, and Our Grandmother The Inlet. More info here.

When: October 22

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox

APTN Presents: WaaPaKe

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) explores how children of residential school survivors — including three generations of director Dr. Jules Koostachin’s own family — are moving beyond the burden of intergenerational trauma and into healing. More info here.

When: October 22

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox

Next Stage Theatre Festival (October 18-29)

Dead Parents Society: A Dark Sketch Comedy Revue

Created by a group of comedians who each lost a parent at a young age, Dead Parents Society is all about love loss, and connection through grief. Shohana told us more about her show and finding laughter in her grief. 

When: October 18-29

Where: Buddies in Bad Times Chamber

Black in Canada

With dance, spoken word, and recorded archives, Black in Canada celebrates the powerful impact that Black communities have on Canadian art and culture, educating audiences about systemic racism and oppression. More info here.

When: October 19-29

Where: Buddies in Bad Times Chamber

Something in the Water

Something in the Water is an equal parts touching and absurd exploration of gender and acceptance. The story follows Grumms, who transforms into a squid monster, and must hide their identity to pass as “a normal human woman”. More info here.

When: October 19-28

Where: Buddies in Bad Times Chamber

ECHO

In a modern retelling of the Greek myth, Echo and Narcissus meet in a club, and their relationship unfolds in a whirlwind of heartbreak, love, sex, and psychedelics. More info here.

When: October 18-28

Where: Buddies in Bad Times Chamber

Hot Docs Podcast Festival (October 19-22)

Articles of Interest

This live episode of Avery Trufelman’s hit fashion podcast features influential designer and activist Aurora James and Elizabeth Semmelhack, director of the Bata Shoe Museum. These fashion tastemakers will discuss all things shoes, design and innovation. More info here.

When: October 20

Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

The New Yorker Fiction Podcast featuring Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood will take the stage for the premiere episode of The New Yorker Fiction Podcast, a discussion of the brilliant short stories from the magazine’s archives. Hear a reading of one of Atwood’s favourite New Yorker stories, and a conversation about the art of storytelling. More info here.

When: October 21

Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema

The Secret Life of Canada

Hosts Falen Johnson and Leah-Simone Bowen will dive into the untold depths of Canadian history at this live podcast recording, featuring comedians Kris Siddiqi and Brandon Hackett. Historical thieves, stupid robberies, discontinued board games, every ‘Canadian Barbie’ ever made, and of course, colonialism, are all up for discussion. More info here.

When: October 21

Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema