documentary

Sisler CREATE post-high film students have produced over 60 mini-documentaries that have aired on CBC's platforms. Students have also produced several docu-series for Bell Fibe TV1.

2025/2026

'I need to fight because of them': How a Winnipeg woman navigated cancer while caring for her aging parents | CBC NewsMany people feel the squeeze of caring for elderly parents. Winnipegger Eufrecina Juan had an extra burden — she had cancer. In a new short film, she talks about the struggles and unexpected gifts of that challenging time.

Autistic Winnipeg comedian creates a stage for neurodivergent performers | CBC NewsAdam Schwartz is the founder and artistic director of Neurohilarity, a Manitoba-based arts organization that promotes neurodivergent artists by giving them the skills and the stage they need to share their voice, he says.

'At this point in my life, I’ve got nothing else to hide': Single mom reckons with past mistakes | CBC NewsIn a deeply personal short film, Winnipeg teen Kingsley Shewchuk, 19, leads an honest conversation with his mom, Melanie, whose past includes selling drugs and guns, and jail time.

social anxiety - katie-anne | CBC NewsIn her new, self-produced video, Winnipeg teen Katie-Anne Tanasiciuk battles animated anxiety monsters that hold her back. The Sisler Create post-high school filmmaking student takes on her anxiety and fears, such as riding city buses, through art and exposure therapy.

How a heavy metal musician struck the right notes in a Winnipeg Filipino band | CBC NewsBassist Stephen Bradford says playing the Winnipeg band Alapaap brought his love of music back to life — even though the band sings in Tagalog, a language he doesn't speak.

West End bike program teaches Grade 9 students repair, maintenance and responsibility | CBC NewsMeet the devoted teacher behind a free bike knowledge and repair program for Grade 9 students at General Wolfe School. The Bike Den is the focus of a new video by Sisler Create film students in collaboration with CBC Manitoba.

Rack 'em: Filipino billiards community thriving in Winnipeg | CBC NewsWith tournaments and meetups, Winnipeg's Filipino community celebrates its love of billiards. A new video by Sisler Create students explores the thriving Filipino billiards community in the city.

Parody songs and unicorn costumes: Ultimate Frisbee teams take sportsmanship to next level | CBC NewsPlaying fair and celebrating the spirit of harmony in sports is a tenant of Manitoba Organization of Disc Sports, the province's ultimate Frisbee league. "Radical sportsmanship" is the focus of a new mini documentary by Sisler Create film students in collaboration with CBC Manitoba.

'We're all a bunch of nerds and geeks who love swords': Group brings historical battle techniques back to life | CBC NewsA new video by students in Sisler High School's Create program delves into Winnipeg enthusiasts of HEMA, or historical European martial arts, a modern spin on ancient fighting techniques.

'Helped bring me back to my family's roots': Winnipeg's Portuguese centre builds bonds | CBC NewsCaso do Minho Portuguese Centre has been strengthening the Portuguese community in Winnipeg for over 50 years. A new video by students in Sisler High School's Create program celebrates the connections made there.

2024/2025

LET'S GET REAL

Docuseries for Fibe TV1

Starring: Laura Gross, Nathan Flores & Dana McCoy
Director/Producers: Gianluca Caldarola, Raiden Dumaran & Venice Pasaraba

Three young creatives set out on a journey of growth, searching for purpose and their place in the creative world.

'Grief can eventually turn into growth': Winnipeggers share recovery stories after loss | CBC NewsWhile the death of a loved one is devastating, grief can result from other kinds of loss. In a short video, three Winnipeggers share their insights and wisdom in overcoming life's unexpected losses.

'Would not wish it on my worst enemy,' says Winnipegger sidelined with rare pain syndrome | CBC NewsDuring gender affirming surgery in 2018, Ethan Belcourt's right arm was injured. Since then, Belcourt has struggled with complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating and rare condition that leaves him in constant pain.

Harm- French metal band | CBC NewsSinger Greuner and drummer Rylan Bazylo front Harm, a Winnipeg-based heavy metal band that — up until a year ago — sang in English only. Then they entered a French music competition at Festival du Voyageur.

Passion for music a requirement in Winnipeg Filipino choir, but experience isn't | CBC NewsBorn from a shared love of music and singing, the Musica Singers of Manitoba is a Filipino choir that sings in multiple languages, including Tagalog, Italian and Maori.

After a horrific bike accident, this Winnipeg woman made a return to dancing | CBC NewsIn May 2023, Lizzy Kovach was struck by a truck while riding her bike in Winnipeg. She sustained serious injuries and doctors used metal plates to stabilize broken bones. Watch Kovach's journey back to health and back to dancing in a new video.

Winnipeg woman with significant challenges sells art to fund her travel dreams | CBC NewsJannie Messmer has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability. She is also deaf. She creates and sells her own art and crafts to fund her travel dreams. The Winnipegger lives independently with the support of Innovative Life Options, a local organization that helps people with significant challenges.

International Day of Happiness sparks fundamental question: What makes you happy? | CBC NewsMarch 20th is International Day of Happiness, an annual global holiday instituted by the United Nations in 2012. In honour of this day, we asked Winnipeggers 'What makes you happy?'

Mega music fan searches for forever homes for his epic collection | CBC NewsAfter two serious car accidents, collector Doug Kretchmer decided it was time to start selling his vast library of records, CDs and other collectibles at Mulvey Market.

semira eric wright | CBC NewsErick Wright introduces himself in English, shares his age in Ukrainian, and describes his pastime in Icelandic. And Spanish. And Punjabi. No surprise, his pastime is learning languages.

Bullied as a kid, teacher vows to protect students from the cruelty he experienced | CBC NewsLiang Sun, who immigrated from China as a youngster, was ruthlessly bullied, verbally and physically, in his Winnipeg elementary school. That experience is part of what inspired him to become a teacher and protect kids from that cruelty.

'Tourette's is my superpower': Winnipeg teen leans into his neurodiversity | CBC NewsWinnipegger Orion Remoquillo has made living with Tourette syndrome his "superpower." A new short video shows how the teen has pushed himself in school, volunteering and work.

Manitobans shine on national Para hockey team | CBC NewsPeyton Vergie and Alyssa White both play on Canada's national women's Para hockey team. The duo push each other to excel on and off the ice. A new short documentary explores their journey.

From 'satanic panic' to church-approved, Dungeons & Dragons thriving after 50-plus years | CBC NewsDungeons & Dragons has evolved since its start in 1974. In the early years, the game was accused of promoting Satanism, witchcraft and occultism. In Manitoba, an active and thriving community of players continues to immerse itself in its fantasy campaigns, more than 50 years after the game was launched.

Winnipeg nail artist paints mini masterpieces on micro canvases | CBC NewsHavana Jackson picked up a brush and nail polish in 2020, painting one-of-a-kind designs for a clientele of ornate nail lovers. She's one of a growing number of Winnipeg nail artists who are pushing creative limits on their limited canvases.

They're wooden, they're whimsical and they've charmed an entire neighbourhood | CBC NewsGuffleworfs are one-of-a-kind whimsical sculptures made of reclaimed wood, branches and whatever else catches 103-year-old Len Van Roon's eye.

And lots of partridges in a pear tree | CBC NewsWatch as passionate Christmas decorator Juliet Dayanghirang Francisco leads a tour of her home and yard. Every year, the Winnipegger bedazzles her home with loads of yuletide trimmings to celebrate the season and bring cheer to her neighbourhood.

2023/2024

project avenue

Docuseries for Fibe TV1

Starring: Annie Castiblanco, Sean Monfero & Maria De Mesa
Directors: Chaira Plaga, Bridget Clemente & Caryl Jazz Cruz
Producer: Caryl Jazz Cruz

Three students looking to pursue careers in the creative industries take their first steps toward their careers.

'Broken glass and tears everywhere': Student grapples with PTSD one year after school trip crash | CBC NewsIn April 2023, a bus carrying band students from Maples Collegiate collided with a semi on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Sintaluta in Saskatchewan. The bus driver was injured in the accident. Students like Kurt Abad, now 18, has lingering effects of PTSD. He turned to his faith to help him recover from the emotional trauma.

Métis Anishinaabe educator celebrates her culture — and herself — with children's book | CBC NewsMarika Schalla noticed something missing in most of the children’s books she read — someone like her. So the Métis Anishinaabe educator wrote Stella. Welcome to your Doodem.

Woman sheds light on the 'agonizing' world of obsessive compulsive disorder | CBC NewsOn any given day, Callandra Stroet might wash her hands until they bleed, her countertops until they shine, her backpack if she touches it, and any door knob along the way. Stroet lives with OCD: obsessive compulsive disorder.

So a ghost walks into a bar … How a Winnipeg comedian developed a passion for the paranormal | CBC NewsA mysterious recurring childhood dream and spooky happenings in his childhood home sparked a life long interest in the paranormal for comedian Big Daddy Tazz. Today, he helps with paranormal investigations in Winnipeg and swears comedy and ghost hunting are not as different as one would think.

Soccer star rebuilds career after being shot in refugee camp as a teen | CBC NewsAmos Rukundo was a budding soccer start before he was badly injured during protests at a refugee camp in Rwanda in 2018 and spent several months in a coma. His family moved to Winnipeg later that year, and Rukundo was determined to pick up his soccer dreams where he left off.

'I would take it to heart': Local hip-hop artist faces backlash for his English tracks | CBC NewsAt age 15, Mehtab Brar, a.k.a. M.B, started spitting bars in his basement and sharing his songs on social media. The love came but so did the hate. Commenters criticized Brar for singing in English, he says. At 18, Brar has learned to ignore the negativity.

Bubble tea and BTS: Inside Winnipeg's thriving K-pop fan scene | CBC NewsIn fan meetups, K-pop lovers in Winnipeg share their passion for the performers, high-energy dance routines and joy-eliciting music that has swept the globe. That fan scene is the subject of a new micro-documentary by four filmmakers in Sisler High School's Create program.

Costumes, music, and dance beats: Winnipeg's Ati clan celebrate their culture with annual festival | CBC NewsWatch as Winnipeg's Ati community comes together every year for a joyous party to honour their ancestors in the Philippines. About 300 people celebrate the annual Ati-Atihan festival through, music and dance while wearing costumes of their forebears.

Teenage gold-medal shot putter creates art to manage stress | CBC NewsIsaac Annoh, a Grade 10 student at Sisler High School, aims for another gold in shot put at the 2024 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships in summer. In the meantime, the 16-year-old tries to balance the stress of competition with academia. Art helps him.

23-second animation catapults young animator to online fame | CBC NewsXierra Cansino started doing animation at age 14. Three years later, in 2022, a 23-second animation she created called Sucker went viral, amassing 8.2 million views. Today she has 901,000 followers on YouTube and is pursuing a career in animation.

Winnipeg breakdancer finds 'catharsis' and 'representation' through dance | CBC NewsWinnipeg breaker Dela Awuyah (a.k.a Mooki) uses dance and rap as a way to express himself and deal with life's struggles, including the death of a cousin and growing up in poverty in the West End.

Winnipeg's Little Drummer Boy bangs his drum once again | CBC NewsSean Quigley was 16 when his drumming video went viral. Millions of views and nine years later, Quigley is inspiring another teen drummer with dreams of his own music greatness.

Winnipeg teen saves cancer researchers decades in data processing time | CBC NewsComputer science enthusiast Dylan Bucci worked tirelessly to push cancer research forward even as he struggled with the disease himself. In February 2022, the former Sisler High School student died of Ewing sarcoma, but his work lives on.

Math, science and mad moves: Winnipeg teacher dreams of dance greatness | CBC NewsRoley Leyson, a teacher at Winnipeg's Maples Collegiate, is on a mission fueled by his passion for dance. He hopes to one day take his hobby to the next level by opening a dance studio.

Winnipeg teen martial artist strengthens cultural ties with each kick, strike and blow | CBC NewsWinnipeg teen Jayzelle Policarpio started practising sikaran and arnis, an ancient Filipino martial art, when she was nine. By 13, she won silver and bronze at the World Karate Championships.

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