Whistler Film Festival (WFF) unveiled the lineup of 12 Canadian feature films in its Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature.
Named after Canadian filmmaker Philip Borsos, the competition now in its 21st year, highlights innovation and artistic merit in Canadian cinema, offering a $35,000 cash and in-kind prize.
Competition films this year include four women-led pictures including Who Do I Belong To, Darkest Miriam, Sweet Angel Baby, and Kryptic. Really Happy Someday highlights the struggles of gender transition and provides insight into struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community. BIPOC: Aberdeen, Lucky Strikes and The Birds Who Fear Death are three films that highlight Indigenous stories of spirit, culture and tenacity, while Sway deals with issues around Black identity, trauma and masculinity. Non-English language submissions include the French Canadian Phoenixes, while Who Do I Belong To is in Arabic.
“The Borsos Competition is a fundamental part of the Whistler Film Festival’s DNA, and Canadian feature films are at the heart of it all,” said Robin Smith, director of film programming at WFF. “It was a super competitive year, with over 100 films vying for a slot. We are extremely proud and excited to be announcing 12 films this year—each brings a fresh, fun, and fearless perspective illustrated by the amazing talents bubbling up through the Canadian film landscape.”
2024 FILMS IN THE BORSOS COMPETITION
Aberdeen | Written and directed by Eva Thomas and Ryan Cooper
Aberdeen is a drama set in gritty downtown Winnipeg that focuses on the struggles of Aberdeen as she navigates a world of bureaucracy, racism and the child welfare system while trying to break the impact of intergenerational trauma. Starring Gail Maurice, Billy Merasty, Liam Stewart-Kanigan.
Darkest Miriam | Directed by Naomi Jaye
Amidst the quiet corners of a Toronto library, a grieving librarian finds an unexpected connection with a young cab driver. But as their romance blossoms, a series of unsettling letters shatter her once-sheltered life. Executive produced by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) and starring Britt Lower, Tom Mercier.
Hunting Matthew Nichols | Directed by Markian Tarasiuk, written by Sean Harris Oliver
Two decades after her brother mysteriously disappeared in a secluded forest on Vancouver Island, a documentary filmmaker sets out to solve his missing person’s case. Starring Markian Tarasiuk, Miranda MacDougall, Ryan Alexander McDonald.
Kryptic | Directed by Kourtney Roy, written by Paul Bromley
A female-driven, science fiction horror film about a woman’s search for a monster hunter and her growing realization that the creature being tailed, in fact, resides inside her. Starring Chloe Pirrie, Jeff Gladstone, Jason Deline.
Lucky Strikes | Written and directed by Darcy Waite
A washed-up bowler rekindles his competitive spirit when he teams up with his best friend to buy his late father’s bowling alley. Their dream is threatened by a vengeful rival and mounting debt, forcing them into a last-ditch effort to win a high-stakes bowling tournament. Starring Stephanie Sy, Meegwun Fairbrother, Carolina Campos.
Phoenixes | Written and directed by Jonathan Beaulieu-Cyr
A soldier on the brink of a perilous deployment in Afghanistan becomes the coach of a struggling kids’ soccer team in hopes of reconnecting with his son before it’s too late. Starring Evelyne Brochu, Maxime Genois, Aksel Leblanc.
Please, After You | Directed by Rob Michaels, written by Amir Kahnamouee
Ali’s life as a young immigrant in Canada is turned upside down when his naive cousin, Omid, comes to live with him in a newcomers settlement house. Starring Sammy Azero, Neema Nazeri, Juno Rinaldi.
Really Happy Someday | Directed by J Stevens, written by J Stevens, Breton Lalama
Z (a trans masculine singer) bombs a pivotal musical theatre audition, unable to control his voice after starting testosterone nine months earlier. To save his own life and livelihood, Z must rediscover himself and his voice. Starring Breton Lalama, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Xavier Lopez.
Sweet Angel Baby | Written and directed by Melanie Oates
Eliza is an unassuming and beloved member of a small fishing community in Newfoundland who sees all of her relationships put in jeopardy after her secret social media persona is exposed. Starring Michaela Kurimsky, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Peter Mooney.
The Birds Who Fear Death | Written and directed by Sanjay Patel
Two brothers, disinherited and desperate for cash, journey into the Canadian wilds to find themselves, their people and their fortune. Starring Adam Beach, Simon Baker, Graham Greene.
Who Do I Belong To | Written and directed by Meryam Joobeur
A Tunisian woman is caught between her maternal love and her search for the truth when her son returns home from war and unleashes a darkness throughout their village. Starring Salha Nasraoui, Mohamed Grayaâ, Malek Mechergui.
Sway | Directed by Charlie Hamilton and Zachary Ramelan, written by Charlie Hamilton
A Black community leader, who has it all, sees his life spiral out of control within hours after his brother goes missing. Starring Emmanuel Kabongo, Mishael Morgan, Lovell Adams-Gray.