Funded projects

In 2020, COVID-19 pandemic hit hard on Chinese people first and then the whole wide
world. The Chinese Canadian community suffered as much as, if not more than, the other
Canadian communities. The difference is their fear and pain started in January when their
native families, relatives and friends back in China got punched by the pandemic.
Additionally, Chinese Canadian faced discrimination and community splitting due to different
perceptions on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and CCP’s responsibilities for this
pandemic.
The film depicts the experience of a typical Chinese Canadian family at this special time,
advocating returning to our traditional culture and common value. The film also delved into
the facts and revealed the responsibilities of CCP for the pandemic.

Using rich visuals and narratives, the 60' television documentary "Mabahong Isda" will display the deep-seated colonial mentality that is still evident in Filipino communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Interviews with Filipino migrants will explore their thoughts and experiences as they navigate their self-identity in a land they now call home; as well as views shared by Filipino artists, scholars and advocates will inspire audiences to preserve Philippine Culture and Heritage and promote it to second and third generations of Filipino-Canadians.

Nino and His Shadow is about an irresponsible and disrespectful adolescent boy who is turned into a shadow by a wizard. The only way he can transform back and return home is by helping 6 other adolescents with their issues around self-image, peer pressure, bullying, and fitting in. As he guides the kids, he also gains insights about himself and realizes his shortcomings in his personal life. He successfully completes the mission and transforms back to his physical form. But as he is about to return home, he notices another shadow who needs his help, forcing him to make a choice…

After years of buying weekly lottery tickets together, five colleagues are about to hit the jackpot, until one of them decides to take the money and run.

Latin American professionals are immigrating to Canada in droves, coming up north and contributing to the world of sustainable energy in creative and innovative ways. This Spanish language project documents the unexpected impact this vibrant community is making on our country and world.

Through workshops at MalPensando, a bilingual school of comedy, Hispanic-Canadians find themselves transitioning from the corporate world to one of laughter, friendship and new passions. We follow a set of new comedians as they test their comedic chops thorugh six rounds of intense stand-up known as The Conservatory in this Spanish language documentary.

The Mexican tradition of honouring the dead is making an impact on Hispanic culture and traditions in Canada. This documentary will examine why Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is still considered one of the most important cultural traditions to Mexican-Canadians and why its influence is growing in Canada.

Recognized by UNESCO as a cultural phenomenon, Candombe is a style of music and dance originating from African slaves who brought it with them to Uruguay. Today, Uruguayan Canadians living in Montreal are preserving this unique style of song and rhythm and making it part of our Canadian heritage.

The series GULAG. Witnesses is based on the non-fiction book by journalists Elena Racheva and Anna Artemyeva, entitled “58th UNSEIZED.” The book is a compilation of first hand accounts of Russian citizens who were unjustly persecuted and sent to labour camps during the horrific reign of Joseph Stalin and those guards, nurses and wardens who work in those camps.

In order to survive and thrive in a new country, many Portuguese immigrant families in Canada transformed their craftsmanship in the most unexpected ways.
From growing crops to growing tobacco, the story of the Oliveira family explores a passionate family saga and the delicate art of growing tobacco in Canada.
Subsequent episodes will highlight other Portuguese immigrant families and the ways in which their craftsmanship allowed them to succeed in Canada.

When the monuments speak documentary project offers a unique opportunity: through the history of monuments erected across Canada, the events and individuals they celebrate and commemorate, we examine the history of Poland, the Polish community in Canada along with the development of the Polish Canadian relationship. The program explores the journeys of the first Polish immigrants and their arrival in Canada. We learn about their hard labour and the subsequent worthwhile contributions made to Canadian life. We also learn about both the heartbreaking and joyful chapters in Polish history and the important roles played by Canadians in that history.

Canadians know Toronto as a welcoming, diverse metropolis, but this was not always the case. A little-known dark chapter in the city's history took place one warm summer evening in August of 1933 when a riot fueled by xenophobic attitudes towards Jewish and Italian immigrants took locals by surprise. This Italian-language documentary follows the events of the Christie Pits Riot, explores what led up to it and how it changed Toronto "the Good" forever.

A stigmata is a supernatural occurrence in which the wounds of Christ appear on an individual's body. The most famous modern case of stigmata is said to have been on Padre Pio. Through this documentary, we will examine the controversial life of the iconic Italian Saint and how his legacy has become a cornerstone of Catholicism to Italian-Canadians.

This documentary will examine the little-known history of the Italian-Canadian immigrant experience in the province of Quebec and explore the key themes of sovereignty and assimilation that forced a mass exodus from la belle province.

Guido Nincheri’s paintings, sculptures and stained glass creations can be found in more than 200 churches across North America. Often referred to as Canada’s Leonardo Da Vinci, this is an up close and personal examination of a true master in our midst.

This documentary will tell the story of the collaboration between Italian partisans and Canadian military troops during the liberation of the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy during World War II. Told through first-hand accounts from the last Italian-Canadian survivors as they recount the bloody battle to break the German's last line of defense, the Gothic Line. This project will be an important addition to TLN Media Group’s ‘I Remember’ series which chronicles and captures the firsthand accounts of Italian Canadians as children of war during WWII. Other projects in this series have included: Operazione Husky, MonteCassino: L’Abbazia Indestruttibile, Ortona: La Stalingrado Canadese, and San Pietro Infine: Una Citta' Perduta.

Many regard the Niagara Region for its breathtaking terroir and quaint wineries, but Canada wasn't always known for producing quality wine. All of that changed in the early 1970's when an Italian-Canadian by the name of Donald Ziraldo saw an untapped opportunity and created his own wine industry, propelling Canadian wine to the international scene. This Italian-language biopic showcases one of Canada's most notable personalities, from his deep family roots in agriculture and farming to the world stage.

After the Coronavirus pandemic shuts down most of the world, a spirited young Filipino couple finally manage to unite to start their new life in Canada. An unexpected ultimatum confronts the couple, fueling a desperate collusion with an old friend. Kahel’s creative plot, fascinating character arcs and compelling plot twists are used to turn a happily-ever-after story into a tragic, suspenseful drama.