Show Canada
Special Event
Hollywood Execs, Pixar Heroes, and a Big Voice for a Small Island
I just got back from Show Canada 2025 in Victoria, BC, and… let’s just say I’m still digesting the hors d’oeuvres and the wild fact that I was speaking in front of some of the most powerful folks in the film industry. This wasn’t your average conference—it was a full-blown, red-carpet-style gathering of studio executives, distributors, cinema chains, and creative leaders from across North America. And somehow, I ended up right there in the mix.
Thanks to Creative BC, I was invited as a special guest presenter to represent British Columbia’s vibrant and diverse film scene. I had the honour of sharing a clip from Saints and Warriors—but more importantly, I got to speak from the heart about why this story matters. I talked about community, culture, basketball (obviously), and the power of media to shift narratives when it’s created by those who actually live the story. It was a rare moment where Indigenous storytelling met the corporate film world head-on—and let me tell you, they listened.
After the presentation, the response was overwhelming. Top-level execs from major cinema chains and studios were coming up to me, asking how they could help get Saints and Warriors seen across the country. It was surreal—but also deeply affirming. This little film from Haida Gwaii is resonating far beyond the coast, and moments like this remind me just how powerful our stories are when we tell them on our own terms.
A huge highlight was being in the same room as Domee Shi, the brilliant mind behind Bao, Turning Red, and the upcoming Elio. She received a special recognition award, and I got to meet her and co-director Madeline Sharafian. If 16-year-old me could see this, he’d be losing his mind (and possibly trying to pitch a movie about rez kids on Mars).
Show Canada was glitzy, yes—but it was also real. It reminded me that even in the most polished rooms, there’s still space for honesty, heart, and the kind of storytelling that changes lives. Grateful to Creative BC, the Show Canada organizers, and everyone who made me feel seen and heard.
Let’s keep kicking doors open.