Nathan Drillot

Mastering classic pinball arcade games requires focus, agility and dedication. Robert Gagno has all these traits. It might explain why he surged from a complete unknown to one of the world's best players in five years. The achievement is even more impressive considering he was diagnosed with autism at age three. His success on the pinball circuit made him part of a community that provided acceptance and encouragement. With his parents' support and determination, Robert has exceeded every expectation placed upon him. As he approaches adulthood, his next challenge is to become more self-sufficient and gain his independence. From high-stakes tournaments across the continent to his day-to-day search for employment, we follow Robert's persistent progression to overcome obstacles and manage the highs of success and lows of falling short. In Wizard Mode, flashing lights and triple combos highlight an outstanding individual who continues to beat the odds and set records.

Teenaged Milan is like other boys his age: he likes sports, lasagna and playing with friends. But unlike others, he faces the struggles that come with a transgender identity. With the loving support of his family, Milan chooses to stay in the rural community of Prince George to continue to educate and inspire.

A trans indigenous youth confronts the trauma of racism, adoption, and colonialism's lasting effects, fighting for self-acceptance and healing.

Mastering classic pinball arcade games requires focus, agility and dedication. Robert Gagno has all these traits. It might explain why he surged from a complete unknown to one of the world's best players in five years. The achievement is even more impressive considering he was diagnosed with autism at age three. His success on the pinball circuit made him part of a community that provided acceptance and encouragement. With his parents' support and determination, Robert has exceeded every expectation placed upon him. As he approaches adulthood, his next challenge is to become more self-sufficient and gain his independence. From high-stakes tournaments across the continent to his day-to-day search for employment, we follow Robert's persistent progression to overcome obstacles and manage the highs of success and lows of falling short. In Wizard Mode, flashing lights and triple combos highlight an outstanding individual who continues to beat the odds and set records.

Childhood came easily to Ari Kinarthy, growing up as he did in a loving family environment that made him feel like time was limitless—until he was diagnosed with type-2 spinal muscular atrophy. Now, at 31, Kinarthy is a hugely accomplished music composer living with a condition that continues to weaken his muscles progressively, making him acutely aware of his own mortality.

Childhood came easily to Ari Kinarthy, growing up as he did in a loving family environment that made him feel like time was limitless—until he was diagnosed with type-2 spinal muscular atrophy. Now, at 31, Kinarthy is a hugely accomplished music composer living with a condition that continues to weaken his muscles progressively, making him acutely aware of his own mortality.

A formerly athletic retiree has a crippling heart attack in his late sixties. He challenges his fate to compete again in the National Water Ski Championships.

Documentary about a community of Pakistani muslims with deep connections to the Sikhs through shared musical tradition.

A young boy, Thomas, visits his grandparent's home for the first time since his grandfather's passing. Among the stillness of the house, he finishes building a model ship left in his grandfather's workshop. Frantically completing the ship, the boy unexpectedly takes his work and sets it sail into the ocean. Caught between surreal dreams and waking life, at dawn the boy rushes back to the ocean, diving into the water, swimming to it's depths, where he discovers a life-sized sunken ship. Forced to resurface, the boy climbs out of the water, to face the rising sun and a new reality.

Lay Me by the Shore follows a week in the life of Noah, a high school senior in his final days of school as he comes to terms with his best friend’s passing. Bathed in the warm light of long June days and with the intimidating spectre of an unknown future looming (both his and the world’s), the tale is a highly precise character study told from the perspective of the recently departed. Through the prism of loss, the earnest, nuanced and intimate account of a young person’s very immediate but suppressed emotions becomes a generational snapshot. Utilizing a naturalistic approach, paired with a highly cinematic and formalistically elevated lens, the film highlights the raw, vivid and often overwhelming sentiments of youth with sensitivity and grace.