True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power

Voices of 1960s Black Montréal rise through unseen archives.
Genre : Documentary
Contemporary Issues : Anti-Black Racism
True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power

Through never-before-seen archives and the voices of those who lived through the tumultuous period of 1960s Montreal, True North explores pivotal events that shaped the global movement for Black liberation by centering the Congress of Black Writers and the Sir George Williams Affair.

The voices of the elders who have not received widespread recognition are at the heart of True North. The movements of contemporary Canada owe a great deal to these unsung elders, and this film highlights the individuals upon whose shoulders present-day activists stand. 

To tell the story, Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Michèle Stephenson uses never-before-seen archival footage and exclusive interviews to document Black students and activists who lived through these events. "True North" interweaves accounts of a little-known historical chapter in the Black Power movement that impacted the struggle for Black liberation across the globe and resonates with today's movements for change.

Directors : Michèle Stephenson
Additional Credits :
Stephen Chung, Cinematographer , Shannon Kennedy, Editor , Sara Enid Hagey, Editor , Andy Milne, Composer
Producers Credits :
Leslie Norville
Available Format : DCP , Apple ProRes , MP4 , DVD
Markets : Documentary, Movie
Year Released : 2025
Running Time : 84
Color : B & W
Country : Canada & United States
Original Language : English & French
Translation available in : English subtitles

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Voices of Impact: Our Community Speaks

"A stirring and galvanizing piece of activist cinema.”
POV Magazine
"The story of a student uprising on a Montreal university campus sheds light on the often-overlooked history of anti-Black racism in Canada. Expertly crafted with a stirring score, this emotionally resonant film illuminates a poorly known pivotal moment in Canadian history."
Karen McMullen, DOC NYC
"Students take stand against racism in highly charged account of protest in 60s Canada"
Leslie Felperin, The Guardian
“In True North, director Michèle Stephenson delivers a stirring documentary exploring Montreal’s 1969 student protests against racism at Concordia University (then known as Sir George Williams University). Interwoven with powerful archival footage and personal testimonies from those who lived through the protests—including activist and future Dominica Prime Minister Rosie Douglas—the film reframes young people’s contribution to the Black liberation movement in Canada and its ripple effects beyond the U.S.”
Allie Turner, Elle Canada
“In the 1960s, the metropolis in the province of Québec became a nexus for the movement, seeded by two pivotal events: the Congress of Black Writers at McGill University and the student occupation at Sir George Williams University (now known as Concordia University). That little known story is told in the documentary True North, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michèle Stephenson.”
Matthew Carey, Deadline
“For the participants that could be interviewed for True North, there's a focus on having them speak to how they felt in various moments, not just a retelling of events. Presented in the film in partnership with the archival footage in a really impactful way.”
Elisabetta Bianchini, Yahoo! Canada
“True North is the sort of documentary that stays with you long after it’s over. It is simultaneously a tribute to the joys and the sacrifices that flow from activism.”
Sarah Sahagian, Rabble.ca

Trailer and More

Press Packet

Visual Journey: Scenes from True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power

Explore a gallery of images from "True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power," offering a visual feast that captures the essence of its story.

Awards

Focal International Awards, Best Use of Footage in a History Feature, 2026
Hindsight Film Festival, Best Cinematography, 2026
Hindsight Film Festival, Best Sound Design, 2026
Hindsight Film Festival, Best Editing, 2026

Screenings

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), 2025
Chicago International Film Festival, 2025
Windsor International Film Festival, 2025
Doc NYC, 2025
International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam, 2025
Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal, 2025
IFC Center, New York City, 2026
Independent Lens, PBS Broadcast, 2026
True/False Film Festival, 2026
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, 2026
BlackStar Film Festival, 2026
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, 2026
Kingston Canadian Film Festival, 2026
UnArchive Found Footage Fest, 2026
Salem Film Festival, 2026
Hindsight Film Festival, 2026
Junction North International Documentary Film Festival, 2026
Durban International Film Festival, 2026
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True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power

True North: Canadian Myths and Black Power

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Through never-before-seen archives and the voices of those who lived through the tumultuous period of 1960s Montreal, True North explores pivotal events that shaped the global movement for Black liberation by centering the Congress of Black Writers and the Sir George Williams Affair.

The voices of the elders who have not received widespread recognition are at the heart of True North. The movements of contemporary Canada owe a great deal to these unsung elders, and this film highlights the individuals upon whose shoulders present-day activists stand. 

To tell the story, Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Michèle Stephenson uses never-before-seen archival footage and exclusive interviews to document Black students and activists who lived through these events. "True North" interweaves accounts of a little-known historical chapter in the Black Power movement that impacted the struggle for Black liberation across the globe and resonates with today's movements for change.

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