Trent University and the local Peterborough community often come together to build a place that is rich in culture, talent and engaged local citizens.

An incredible example of this is the annual Reframe Film Festival, which brings the streets of downtown Peterborough to action every January. The four-day documentary film festival aims to build community engagement with a focus on social justice, human rights and environmental responsibility. Trent is lending its talent and fresh perspective by partnering with the festival on special events, sponsorship and by showcasing Trent’s own experts as filmmakers.

Where to Catch Trent at Reframe

During Reframe 2020, Trent experts will shine a light on two key topics for the local community: Indigenous reconciliation through education and perspectives on aging:

• Trent Centre for Aging and Society (TCAS) is presenting ten short films created by local storytellers as part of the “Aging Vitalities” project led by Dr. Nadine Changfoot and Dr. Sally Chivers. This project has the goal of showing diverse representations of aging that intersect Indigeneity, race, disability and queer lives.
• Professor Chivers first microdocumentary, “Magic Numbers” will also be airing at Reframe, a project which Prof. Chivers describes as offering “a wry look at my everyday experiences of appearing eternally youthful on the outside while actually aging rapidly under the surface”.
• Trent Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL) and the Trent School of Education will also be playing a key role in the Film Festival. In partnership with Reframe, the CTL and School of Education will host a Filmmaker’s Reception before the feature film, Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up by Tasha Hubbard. The impact of this film about Colten Boushie’s death is an important story to tell. The reception will feature words from Elder Dr. Shirley Williams who has generously agreed to offer opening prayers and speak to the evening’s theme of Reconciliation through Education, as well as a song by local drum group, Dewe’iganang Nagomag. Staff from First Peoples House of Learning will also be on hand to support filmgoers in navigating this film experience, and the Big Drum group Snake Island Singers will be offering an honour song for Colten and his sister Jade, who traveled to attend the reception.

See the full Reframe Film Festival schedule.