From the Margins

From the Margins is a documentary that highlights the challenges and resilience of Black communities in Saskatchewan. Conceived by our Southern Artistic Director, Ibukun-Oluwa Fasunhan, this project was based on several cases of injustices, racism, and discrimination against Black people that went unreported. Many victims of this discrimination choose to remain silent due to fears of reprisal, mistrust of the system, and systemic bureaucratic barriers to reporting, which exacerbate the deterioration of their mental health among other issues. Filmed in the spring of 2024, the editing and post production phase involved reviewing and refining the over 20 hours of raw footage from 9 different interviews in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. Although we captured many powerful and meaningful moments, we ultimately structured the film around key narrative themes: the interviewees’ experiences of mistreatment, the role of public policy, specific incidents where racism was overlooked despite being clearly articulated, and the shared threads that connected each participant’s story into a cohesive whole.

We officially premiered From the Margins, with a total run time of 78 minutes, on February 22, 2025 at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, with a total of 86 attendees. The film was well received, with many attendees acknowledging its powerful message and the urgency it conveyed around the need for social justice reform in the province. We were also pleased to welcome several representatives who traveled from Saskatoon to attend the premiere. Following the Regina screening, we hosted a second premiere in Saskatoon on March 25, 2025 at the Broadway Theatre. These events extended the reach of the film’s message and helped engage diverse audiences across the province ahead of its public release.

Following each premiere, we conducted debrief sessions to evaluate the events and identify areas for improvement. One key takeaway—particularly in light of the lower attendance at the Saskatoon premiere—was the importance of allowing more time between major events. We also collected feedback from attendees, which proved instrumental in shaping our next steps. These insights directly informed the design and delivery of subsequent Centering the Margins workshops. 

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended these screenings- your presence and thoughtful reflections made the event truly special. It was inspiring to witness the community come together to watch, listen, and discuss the film's themes.