Returning for the first time since 2019, Mayworks is excited to present the Reel Justice program of short films. Showcasing shorts from across Atlantic Canada and the country at large, this year’s program highlights those who push to create space for themselves in places that often feel hostile or unwelcoming.
Lacking a dedicated space, a group of muslim women create their own softball group to play the sport they love, but feel excluded from.
What Do you Think by Brandon Boyd (11 min)
Autistic Haligonians work to create space within the local filmmaking community.
The Body of My Name 名自字体 by Rosie Choo Pidcock (4 min)
Five Chinese Canadians return to their elementary school to reclaim their names through dance.
Black Boys Skate Too by Danica Ricamara (6 min)
Black skaters make a space and culture for themselves.
Miss Campbell: Inuk Teacher by Heather Campbell (15 min)
Part oral history and part visual poem, Miss Campbell: Inuk Teacher is the story of Evelyn Campbell, a trailblazer for an Inuit-led educational system in the small community of Rigolet, Labrador.
Songs of Unama’ki by Dawn Wells and Jeff Miller (22 min)
A look at The Mi’kmaw artists keeping tradional music alive, and those taking it into the future.
----------
Animating Justice
Reel Justice will be Followed by a short program offered by the Animation Festival of Halifax (AFX)
Start time at 8:15 PM | Total runtime: 27 min
One of Those Families by Stephanie Joline (3 min)
A deeply personal animated short film that brings together the exquisite hand-painted illustrations of Mi’kmaw artist Pauline Young, the animation expertise of Struan Sutherland, and the poignant poetry of Rebecca Thomas.
Meet the Creatures by Veronica Dymond (4 min)
Tension arises when an alien brings her human fiancee home to meet the parents.
Born in a Body by Elliot Ciz and Brody Weaver (10 min)
A segment from the 60m experimental animated documentary which repositions the trans community as experts of their own lives, bodies, and (medical) needs to reconsider liberation and wellbeing.
Hadis by Nazrin Aghamaliyeva (10 min)
In a world ruled by crows and discrimination, a young girl decides to fight for justice.
Date & Time
Thu., May 9, 2024 6:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Venue Details
Bus Stop Theatre Co-op
2203 Gottingen Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 3B5
Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax
May 1st is marked throughout the world as International Workers’ Day, or May Day. A day when the workers of the world take to the streets (when not facing a pandemic) in every major city around the globe demanding justice, fairness and dignity for all. In North America, May Day has not been as prominent as it is in other parts of the world, but it is still celebrated in most major cities with a variety of political and community actions. However, May Day isn’t simply a celebration of labour. It is a rallying call against our current economic system, a public declaration that “Capitalism Isn’t Working For Workers,” and an affirmation that a better world is possible.
One of the ways various labour councils and unions mark May Day is through the Mayworks Festival. Mayworks was originally conceived in 1986 by the Toronto and York District Labour Council and the idea has since spread to many cities across the country. The goal behind Mayworks is to bring workers and artists together and to use art to explore themes of justice, solidarity and liberation. Art has always been an important way of expressing political statements and Mayworks continues a long tradition of building bonds of solidarity between artists and labour organizations.
The first annual Mayworks Halifax festival took place in 2009 thanks to the organizing efforts of the Halifax-Dartmouth & District Labour Council. Our festival has since grown exponentially from year to year and has now become Nova Scotia’s largest social justice-themed cultural event. Annually, our festival attracts over a thousand diverse audience members who take interest in issues of social, economic and environmental justice.
Add To Calendar
Share 
