One World Arts launches the 28th annual One World Film Festival (OWFF) on September 7th, 2017 at the ByTowne Cinema (325 Rideau St, Ottawa) with an announcement about the thought-provoking Canadian and international documentaries, panel discussions and Q&A’s with filmmakers featured in the 2017 edition of the Festival (September 28-October 1). Media and members of the public can meet with festival organizers and find out more about the docs and talks on global issues scheduled for the 2017 festival.

The festival launch will also feature the Ottawa Premiere of Marie Clement’s THE ROAD FORWARD at 6:30PM, which had its World Premiere at Hot Docs this spring. Listen to Clement’s talk with the CBC’s Tom Power about how she came to make a musical documentary about pivotal moments in Indigenous history and activism in Canada and learn more about the film here.

Media are invited to attend free of charge and should contact media@oneworldarts.ca to RSVP.

Tickets are $12 for non-members and $8 for One World Arts and ByTowne Cinema members. Advance tickets are available to purchase online now. Proceeds of the event will go to support One World Arts in delivering the 28th annual OWFF this fall (September 28-October 1).

The Road Forward
Directed by Marie Clements | Canada | 2016 | 101 min
THE ROAD FORWARD is a musical documentary like no other. It bends and pushes the boundaries of what we expect of Indigenous cinema, the music video genre and Western documentary traditions. In a unique and defiant blend, the film tells the story of six generations of Indigenous activism through song and story. While the music of well-known Indigenous musicians like Michelle St. John are featured front and centre, the film also incorporates the history of Canada’s first Indigenous newspaper, The Native Voice, the history of the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia, and the Constitution Express. What emerges is a confirmation that the past, present and future of music, story and activism inform each other in a continuous cycle. – Aisha Jamal, Hot Docs

The Road Forward is produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada. A press kit and additional information about the film is available via the NFB here.

The Ottawa Premiere of The Road Forward is also supported by One World Arts’ partnership with Hot Docs and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the government of Ontario, which will see more Hot Docs titles coming to Ottawa as part of the 28th annual One World Film Festival and special screenings this fall. Read about our 2017 Festival lineup and Hot Docs Showcase Ottawa presentations taking place on September 30 and October 1 here.

The 28th annual One World Film Festival runs from September 28 to October 1, 2017, at Saint Paul University (223 Main St, Ottawa) in Ottawa. Stay tuned for announcements, coming soon, about our 2017 Festival lineup and join the #OWFF2017 Facebook event here.

Requests for interviews and more information can be directed to OWFF 2017 Communications Coordinator David Henderson at media@oneworldarts.ca and Festival Coordinator Zoe Mallett at oneworldfilmfestival@oneworldarts.ca