Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson’s stirring adaptation of Catherine Hernandez’s acclaimed novel is a testament to the resilience demonstrated by the young people who are often most affected by our society’s inequities. It’s also a big-hearted portrait of its titular neighbourhood, a place that presents both daunting challenges and valuable opportunities in the lives of Bing (Liam Diaz), Sylvie (Essence Fox) and Laura (Anna Claire Beitel), three kids in low-income families. In their efforts to show the impact of events big and small on the worlds of their characters, Nakhai, Williamson and Hernandez (who also wrote the screenplay) are clearly making an impact on audiences too. A sensation at TIFF last fall, it won the Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award for work addressing issues of social change, as well as the first runner-up spot for the festival’s much-coveted People’s Choice Award.

Please note: this title is not available to stream digitally. Tickets to this in-person event are sold directly through the Isabel. KCFF digital passes cannot be used toward in-person tickets.