Swallowed is a fictional story that spans the life of Mike Seaward, a fisherman in outport Newfoundland, Canada. This could possibly be the story of any fisherman living in a Newfoundland outport today. An unemployed fisherman, he reflects back to his younger days when he loved and respected the sea. We follow his life over the years with his memories of joy and pain to the present; a bitter man resentful of the ocean and the power that it has held over people for so long. What it has given and taken away. We follow Mike from his days as a young man in a community thriving on the ocean and it’s great resources, to the current day, where most of the community has left due to the decline in fishing stocks, in search of a better more stable life. Mike is struggling with the thought that there is no future for him, not only in the virtually deserted community, but anywhere else. He must make a decision either to follow the rest of the community and accept government offers of relocation and re-education, or to follow his own family and be at peace with himself.
Nickel Independent Film and Video Festival – Best Sound, Best Music, Best Art Direction, Best Newfoundland Short Film
Utah Indie Film and Video Festival – Honorary Award in Narrative
Reel Island Film Festival – Best Short Film and Best Screenplay
Director/Writer/Producer: Roger Maunder
Cast: Andrew Bartlett, Paul O’Neill, Sheilagh Guy Murphy, Kimberley Drake, Mark O’Brien, Aiden Flynn, Ruth Lawrence
Length: 22:00
Screening Format: Beta Sp
St. John’s, Newfoundland, 2009
In discovering the secret past of an old St. John’s neighborhood, a family learns that love can lead down an uncharted road that is best followed with the heart.
When tragedy strikes, Nigel O’Neill has to choose between following his dreams as a musician or taking care of his 10-year-old daughter Rosie. He chooses Rosie, but quickly finds himself struggling to make ends meet while battling his in-laws for custody of his daughter. Set in the stunning Newfoundland city of St. John’s and outport town of Sweet Cove, Nigel has to prove to others and ultimately to himself, that Rosie belongs with him.
Be the Change documents the process of the Stella’s Circle Inclusion Choir’s experience writing an original song with Juno Award winning singer/songwriter Amelia Curran. This insightful and heartwarming film celebrates themes of inclusion and community. The Stella’s Circle Inclusion Choir includes participants, staff and volunteers. Participants face many barriers from fully participating in their community, including mental health issues, addictions, criminal justice involvement, homelessness and poverty. Funding for this project was received from the Government of Canada, Canada 150 Fund.
