Or: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Black Experience in Canada, But Were Too Afraid to Ask.

Michèle Stephenson’s brilliant essay film is an electrifying history of Black Canada, a story of displacement and discrimination, prejudice and Black pride, from Freedom Road to Africville and the civil rights movement of the 1960s, fused from a mind-bogglingly rich cache of archival material, first person accounts, and a remarkable score by celebrated jazz pianist Andy Milne. Showtimes are 5pm and 8:15pm.

In this double-header of a West Coast premiere, Andy Milne will perform a 45-minute set followed by a 15-minute Q&A (5pm show); and then a longer set sans Q&A (8:15pm show), along with a screening of the film at both shows

The story of Blacks in Canada is complicated. It is a story of displacement and discrimination, of the Freedom Road, and of shanty towns like Africville, in Halifax. In the second half, Stephenson hones in on the overspill from the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and a critical protest at the George Williams Medical School in Montreal. Activists like Rosie Douglas led the charge for change.

Andy Milne is a 2x JUNO Award-winning pianist & composer known for his Dapp Theory & Unison projects, and for his work with artists such as Ravi Coltrane, Steve Coleman, William Shatner & Bruce Cockburn. His most recent recording, “Time Will Tell”, was nominated in 2025 for the JUNO “Best Jazz: Group”.

This VIFF Live event is co-presented with Infidels Jazz and part of our Celebrating Black Futures series with the Vancouver Art Gallery, curated by Kika Memeh. With thanks to Tom Lee Music and Yamaha.