Streaming February 1 - 28

Follow filmmaker Cheryl Foggo on her quest to uncover the complex story of John Ware, a Black cowboy who settled in Alberta in the wake of the American Civil War. Well known in the province as a skilled rancher of impeccable character, he even appeared on a national stamp, though the rest of Canada may be hard-pressed to recognize him. Digging past the racist myths and mistellings surrounding Ware, and using creative dramatizations, Fogo reveals who this iconic figure might have been— and what his legacy means in terms of anti-Black racism, both past and present.

Curated in partnership with the DOC Institute, Black Light: A Celebration of Canadian Filmmakers is the first collaborative program in Hot Docs' For Viola’s series. Presented to mark Black History Month, this free collection speaks to the unique and multifaceted history of the Black Canadian experience and draws from a rich archive of stories by Black Canadians from across the country.

Presented in partnership with DOC Institute

Sponsored by Rogers Group of Funds, Toronto Arts Council

Co-presenting Partner: NFB

Community Partners: BIPOC TV & Film, Black Screen Office, POV Magazine