April 1, 2026
ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Institute for the Humanities alumnus wins Best Animated Film at Montreal Independent Film Festival
The ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Institute for the Humanities is proud to congratulate Dr. Jamie Michaels — former Francis Spratt Graduate Student Fellow and current SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of English — on winning the Best Animated Film Award at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. The award-winning short, North of Harbord, was written and produced by Dr. Michaels, and marks a significant milestone in a growing body of work that spans academic research, literature, and filmmaking.
North of Harbord is adapted from Christie Pits, a critically acclaimed historical fiction graphic novel co-authored by Dr. Michaels and Doug Fedrau. The film brings to life a largely unknown but pivotal chapter in Canadian history: the moment when young Jewish and Italian immigrants in Toronto's working-class neighbourhoods stood up against Nazi-inspired thugs in what became the worst race riot in Canadian history.
The next screening will be May 19 with at the Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival.