Celebrating community stories in Windsor-Essex, Absolutely Canadian showcases award-winning short films and documentary programs created by independent local producers, as well as student filmmakers from the University of Windsor.

From local musicians and artists to scripted drama, the 2019 Windsor Shorts compilations include compelling, emotional stories about community members, artists and more. Each story brings something special to the series. Several of these films also screened at the Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF).

"Rarely do we get the spotlight in our part of Ontario and so I'm excited that our students get their work out there and seen by many people," said Michael Stasko, independent show producer of the program Windsor Shorts and professor at the University of Windsor.

"The content of the films represents other local actors and musicians from the area in addition to the filmmakers and cinematographers who are also from Windsor."

"As a filmmaker myself, one of my goals is to shine a positive spotlight on the Windsor-Essex region," said Theodore Bezaire, independent producer of Windsor Shorts and professor at St. Clair College's Mediaplex.

"Being able to help produce something like Windsor Shorts is a great honour; the program is an amazing showcase for the creative talent we have in our area."

You'll also want to look out for the The Leslie McCurdy Story: On the Money. Award-winning actress and playwright Leslie McCurdy of Windsor, Ontario has dedicated her life to staging the stories of heroic black women who stood up against racial injustice.

We'll also be showcasing two Land and Sea documentaries produced by local Windsor filmmakers.

Bud and Ron's Northern Life - Remembering the pioneering spirit in Northern Ontario as two brothers from Windsor, Ontario celebrate the great Canadian outdoors.

Therapeutic Riding - Harnessing the power of horses to help change the lives of people in Windsor/Essex with mental and physical challenges.

Absolutely Canadian airs locally in July and September on CBC Television and CBC Gem.

The 2019 lineup includes:



Windsor Shorts 2019

Air date: Saturday, July 6 at 7 p.m. and September 21 at 7 p.m. (Encore Presentation)

This compilation show of short films is created by student filmmakers from the University of Windsor and independent producers and directors from the Windsor area. Films include scripted and unscripted content. The program will include behind the scenes interviews with each filmmaker to learn more about their film and community stories.

Short films include: The Card by Asil Moussa, Ei8ght by Sikandar Saleem, Visionary by Lourdes Lasala, Marley's Journey by Selina McCallum, Craig Forget Reclaimed Wood Artist by Sasha Jordan Appler and Philo by Sasha Jordan Appler

The Leslie McCurdy Story: On the Money

Air date: Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m. and September 14 at 7 p.m. (Encore Presentation)

Award-winning actress and playwright Leslie McCurdy of Windsor, Ontario has dedicated her life to staging the stories of heroic black women who stood up against racial injustice. For two decades, McCurdy has been bringing the stories of her heroines to life on stage. Like her, they inspire others to follow their dreams and to stand up for what they believe and not be treated as second class. They include Harriet Tubman and Viola Desmond, both now firmly established as heroines of civil rights in North America. McCurdy comes from seven generations of civil rights activists, the most recent being her father, the late Dr. Howard McCurdy, Jr.

Leslie McCurdy on stage as Viola Desmond. (Enhao Fan)

Land and Sea:

Part I: Bud and Ron

Part II: Therapeutic Riding

Air date: Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. and September 28 at 7 p.m. (Encore Presentation)

Part I - Bud and Ron

During the Depression, a "Back to the Land" program took unemployed Windsorites and sent them north to farm and make use of the land in areas like Kapuskasing — nearly 800 km north of Canada's southernmost city — in order to help with Ontario's food security needs. One of those families included brothers Ron and Bud, from Windsor. This half-hour program will explore their transition of life up north and how they adapted those connections to the land. Produced by independent filmmaker Kim Nelson.

Behind the scenes: The making of Land and Sea Part I: Bud and Ron in the forest outside Kapuskasing, Northern Ontario. Photo submitted by Kim Nelson.

Part II - Therapeutic Riding

The film tells the story of The Windsor Essex Therapeutic Riding Association, a rehabilitation program that uses horses as part of their therapy with children and adults with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. Produced by independent filmmaker Michael Stasko.