Documentary - Archives - NFB Blog

Documentary

Explore the world of documentary—including biography, history, social and political issues, global cultures, and aboriginal topics.

John Ware Reclaimed: A Conversation With Cheryl Foggo And Miranda Martini

John Ware Reclaimed: A Conversation With Cheryl Foggo And Miranda Martini

Read this conversation between the filmmaker and musician and songwriter Miranda Martini, whose music is featured in the documentary (and who also happens to be Cheryl’s daughter).

Dresden Story: Racism in 1950s Canada | Curator’s Perspective

Dresden Story: Racism in 1950s Canada | Curator’s Perspective

The 1954 documentary Dresden Story, the first NFB film to deal with racial discrimination in Canada, is discussed.

Borealis: Seeing the Forest Through the Trees

Borealis: Seeing the Forest Through the Trees

Canadians can be proud of the fact that our boreal is arguably the most important forest in the world. Though it is heavily logged and dotted with mines, it is still less disturbed than any other forest, and home to countless wild animals.

As the Crow Flies: Five Years Later

As the Crow Flies: Five Years Later

"Twenty-one years ago, I received a scholarship through the Royal Canadian Air Cadets to earn my private pilot licence. Fifteen years later, I made a documentary called As the Crow Flies, which follows a group of inspiring young cadets going through the same program I did."

A Universe of Imagination: The 60-Year Odyssey for a NFB classic

A Universe of Imagination: The 60-Year Odyssey for a NFB classic

Sixty years after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the NFB short documentary Universe, directed by Roman Kroitor and Colin Low, remains a revered classic.

Into the Light: The Healing Power of Speaking Out

Into the Light: The Healing Power of Speaking Out

The third documentary by Gentille M. Assih was inspired by the courage of three immigrants who experienced intimate partner violence.

Far From Bashar: The New Life Of The Al-Mahamids

Far From Bashar: The New Life Of The Al-Mahamids

Far from Bashar won’t change the course of the war in Syria. It may, however, succeed in making some of us a little more open to those affected by it.

Moments of Life: Opening The Dialogue On Perinatal Grief

Moments of Life: Opening The Dialogue On Perinatal Grief

With Moments of Life, we want to increase public awareness of the experience of parents living through perinatal grief

What Is Democracy?: A Question More Relevant Than Ever

What Is Democracy?: A Question More Relevant Than Ever

When I first started planning What Is Democracy? in earnest in 2014, I didn’t quite realize just how relevant the project would eventually be.

A Look Back at Action: The October Crisis of 1970 | Curator’s Perspective

A Look Back at Action: The October Crisis of 1970 | Curator’s Perspective

On the morning of October 16, 1970, filmmaker Robin Spry listened to the radio as he made breakfast. Like many of his fellow citizens, he was stunned to learn that the War Measures Act had come into force in Quebec.

Tales of Ordinary Fatphobia: Raising Awareness To Expose And Deconstruct The Stigma

Tales of Ordinary Fatphobia: Raising Awareness To Expose And Deconstruct The Stigma

When I sent in my film proposal for the 10th Tremplin Competition in 2018, I had no idea that I’d be embarking on such an adventure.

The Curve: Social-distancing stories that bring us closer together

The Curve: Social-distancing stories that bring us closer together

As the country and the world face the historic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, production is now under way at the NFB on The Curve, a collection of approximately 30 projects by more than 40 Canadian creators.