Citizen Minutes
Series 1
In 2021, eight filmmaking teams from across Canada were selected to create short films about bold and unlikely changemakers who inspire us to jump in and get involved in civic issues close to our homes and hearts. Series 1 was produced by Lisa Jackson (Door Number 3 Productions) and Lauren Grant (Clique Pictures).
Since their world premiere at the 2021 online Hot Docs Festival, the Citizen Minutes Series 1 docs screened independently at over 25 Canadian and international film festivals, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, imagineNATIVE, Athena Film Festival, Local Sightings Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Africa in Motion Film Festival, Toronto Lift-Off Festival, and the Inside Out Film Festival, and have won festival awards, including the Vox Popular Media Arts Festival’s People’s Choice Award for Rachel Garrick’s film, The Gift.
Community Screenings
Additionally, the Series 1 films had a number of community screenings hosted by organizations across the country, including Skills for Change who hosted five virtual screenings with panel discussion, University of Toronto's Youth Wellness Lab and Black Social Work Student Association, YMCA of Greater Toronto, Women Transforming Cities, and more. Check out our Impact Report below to learn more.
Community Engagement Toolbox
We are pleased to provide a Community Engagement Toolbox for those who are interested in bringing the Citizen Minutes series to their community. This toolbox can be used to prompt discussions and activities related to the themes seen in the film series.
The Community Engagement Toolbox was created in partnership with the Toronto Metropolitan Democratic Engagement Exchange.
Educator, activist and politician Dr. Jill Andrew takes her fight for body justice, human rights, representation, access and equity to the legislature.
Writer and activist Dave Meslin shares his vision for a democracy where citizens feel invited and empowered to engage.
A lesson in compassion and generosity results in a lifelong gift as a father passes on important teachings to his daughter.
Jean Swanson: We Need a New Map
Vancouver city councillor Jean Swanson works alongside the next generation of anti-poverty activists fighting systemic inequality.
Two Somali-Canadian mothers have organized a group to collectively combat gun violence and hardship while facing cultural and racial barriers.
In 1971, after months of advocating for a safe crossing, twenty-five mothers made their voices heard by blockading CN rail from delivering goods.
Meet Paul Evra, the young altruistic director of Lasallien Center who is leading the center and their mission to help feed the numerous families in the area who are food insecure.
Three fearless community organizers embark on an uphill political fight to regulate Uber and Lyft in Toronto.
Audience Feedback
The impact all of you are making will be felt for generations. Thank you so much for sharing these stories and bringing them to this medium so beautifully.
The power of our voices cannot be denied. The most powerful solutions arise when we come together to support each other.
It is inspiring to see the difference one can make in others' lives with the courage to speak up and participate.
How did the Citizen Minutes films impact you?
Impact Survey
We want to learn more about how the films made an impact. Please take a moment to fill out our Audience Impact Survey.
Producers
Lisa Jackson
Lisa Jackson is an Anishinaabe (Aamjiwnaang) award-winning creator of documentary and fiction film and television, VR, and multimedia installation work. As a director, her projects have won a Genie and Canadian Screen Award, been nominated for a Webby and Canadian Association of Journalists Award, broadcast throughout Canada, and screened at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Berlinale, and Hot Docs. In 2020 she launched Door Number 3 Productions and is currently in post-production on feature hybrid documentary Wilfred Buck and was a producer of Hot Docs' Citizen Minutes in 2021. She was awarded the 2022 Chicken & Egg Award, the 2021 Documentary Organization of Canada Vanguard Award, sat on the NFB’s Indigenous Advisory, and is a member of the Indigenous Screen Office’s Membership Circle. She lives in Toronto, has an MFA from York University, and attended the CFC Directors Lab and TIFF Talent Lab and Writers Studio.
Lauren Grant
Lauren Grant owns Clique Pictures, a vibrant film and television production company that focuses on working with female creative talent in front and behind the camera. In 2021, Clique Pictures released the feature films Sugar Daddy and The Retreat, as well as Lauren’s directorial debut Things We Feel But Do Not Say. Previous films include Riot Girls, Wet Bum, Picture Day, as well as the documentaries On the Line, Metamorphosis, and Traceable. She won a CSA for the short documentary Take a Walk on the Wildside and a Genie award for Savage. The Hollywood Reporter named Lauren one of 15 Talents to Watch. Lauren is an alumna of ACE Producers, Trans-Atlantic Partners, Rotterdam Lab, Berlinale Talent Campus, TIFF Studio and the CFC Producer’s Lab.