Reels for Change

In collaboration with HotDocs, Skills for Change hosted a Spotlight Series feature called Reels for Change – showcasing 5 Hot Docs Citizen Minutes documentaries on different social themes, focused on barriers faced by racialized and equity-seeking communities, followed by an interesting panel discussion with the filmmakers, the real-life inspirational heroes of these documentaries and community organizations.

Panel Discussions and Films included:

'Mending a Crack in the Sky', a short about Shamso Mohamoud and Shamso Elmi who lost their sons to violence and watched their alleged killers walk free without legal prosecution. This session was joined by the filmmakers Zach Jama & Rob Issa as well as Shamso Mohamoud and Shamso Elmi from Midaynta Community Services

'Body Politics' with Dr. Jill Andrew, MPP for Toronto-St. Paul's that focuses on her fight for body justice, and her journey to the legislature as the first queer Black person elected to provincial parliament. Jill & filmmaker/narrator Aisha Fairclough joined this session for the panel discussion.

“Militant Mother”, about how in 1971, a group of mothers made their voices heard by blockading CN rail, joined by filmmaker Carmen Pollard for a discussion, along with “Jean Swanson: We Need a New Map”, A profile of veteran activist and first-term Vancouver city councillor Jean Swanson, joined by filmmaker Carmen Pollard.

‘Ride Fair’, about three community organizers with a history of standing up against big tech corporations who embark on an uphill fight to regulate Uber and Lyft. This session was joined by filmmaker Javier Lovera alongside organizer JJ Thompson and Earla Philips, one of the drivers featured in the film.