DOCUMENTARY FILMS

PERFECTING THE ART OF LONGING

NYT Op-Docs, National Film Board of Canada

A rabbi in a long-term care facility reflects on what it
means to be alive in a state of profound isolation.

Director/Cinematography: Kitra Cahana Editor: Kara Blake

Producer: Kat Baulu & Ariel Nasr

(Betty Youson Award for Best Canadian Short Documentary at the 2022 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, the Prix Iris for Best Short Documentary at the 24th Quebec Cinema Awards in 2022)

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FORCE: POLICING MENTAL ILLNESS

NBC News

Law enforcement officers are increasingly the first responders to incidents involving people with mental illness. Without proper training and expertise, confrontations taking place amid an already-charged atmosphere can escalate quickly, often leading to the injury or death of the individual with mental illness.

Director/Cinematography: Kitra Cahana & Ed Ou / Editor: Jonathan Ade

( Peabody Award 2020, Dupont Columbia Award 2021)

DANCING TOWARDS THE LIGHT

CBC

In an Inuit town in Nunavut that has lost so many of its young people to suicide, dance has become a positive force of hope and healing.

Director / Cinematography: Kitra Cahana & Ed Ou / Editor: Kevin Klauber ACE

(Canadian Screen Award)

CARING FOR TOR

CBC

Stephane Alexis, 24, has put his own goals and aspirations on hold to help his parents care for his younger brother Torence, who has cerebral palsy. Young caregivers are an often-overlooked population — too tired from the day-to-day to advocate for more resources and support.

Director: Kitra Cahana / Cinematography: Kitra Cahana

Editor: Brenda Witmer Executive Producer: Mark Harris Producer: Nicole Brewster

#HOMEISHERE CAMPAIGN for UNITED WE DREAM

Director: Kitra Cahana

Sana is a designer and innovator born in Pakistan, and she is a DACA recipient. Right now, she is helping fight for DACA because her #HomeIsHere. Three courts already separately decided that Trump broke the law in the way he tried to end DACA and blocked him from terminating the program.

Manny is a producer and artist born in Nigera, and he is a DACA recipient. Right now, he is helping fight for DACA because his #HomeIsHere. Three courts already separately decided that Trump broke the law in the way he tried to end DACA and blocked him from terminating the program.

COMFORTING VEGAS

NBC

Director: Kitra Cahana & Ed Ou / Cinematography: Kitra Cahana & Ed Ou / Editor: Elise Coker

PORTRAIT OF SHUVINAI ASHOONA

Director: Kitra Cahana / Cinematography: Kitra Cahana / Editing: Kitra Cahana