Visjuelles Production Inc. and Motion 58 are proud to announce the much-anticipated theatrical release of Angela’s Shadow, the latest film from acclaimed Cree filmmaker Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin (WaaPaKe). Following a celebrated run on the festival circuit, Angela’s Shadow will launch in theatres across Canada, beginning with a special premiere at Vancouver’s VIFF Centre on June 20, 2025. To mark the occasion, audiences can look forward to a live Q&A with the creative team, a vibrant Indigenous artisan market, and musical performances, setting the stage for a truly immersive cultural experience. Additional dates and locations are set to be announced soon.
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Set in the 1930s, Angela’s Shadow follows Angela and Henry, a young couple expecting their first child, as they travel north to the Cree community of KiiWeeTin to reunite with Angela’s cherished childhood nanny, Mary. Their journey takes a haunting turn when Angela is confronted by a sinister shadow figure. As Mary moves to protect Angela and her unborn child through forbidden Cree ceremonies and traditional medicines, a deeper mystery surrounding Angela’s ancestry and the spectral presence begins to unravel. Angela is forced to confront not only her own spiritual awakening, but also her husband’s growing obsession with racial purity. Her struggle becomes a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and the healing power of Indigenous traditions in the face of colonial oppression.
Angela’s Shadow is the second installment in a visionary trilogy by Koostachin, weaving together the lives of Cree characters across three eras, all united by their spiritual heritage and resilience. The film’s narrative is both intimate and epic, shining a light on the intergenerational strength of Cree communities and their ongoing journey of healing from the wounds of settler colonialism.
Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin stands at the forefront of Indigenous cinema in Canada. Named by Variety as one of the “10 Canadians to Watch in 2023” alongside her son, Asivak, and composer Justin Delorme, Koostachin is a multi-talented artist, writer, director, actor, and academic. Her previous works include the award-winning documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow), which claimed Best BC Film at VIFF, and the TELUS originals documentary NiiMisSak: Sisters In Film, premiering at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival on June 8, 2025. Beyond the screen, Koostachin is also the voice of Layla on PBS Kids/CBC Kids’ animated series Molly of Denali, and continues to champion opportunities for Indigenous peoples, marginalized women, and gender-diverse creatives in the film and television industry.
Angela’s Shadow is written, directed, and produced by Koostachin, co-written by Steve Neufeld (Coded), and executive produced by Patti Poskitt (Monkey Beach). The film boasts an impressive creative team, including editor Lara Mazur (Allegiance), composer Justin Delorme (Deaner ’89), costume designer Yolonda Skelton, and cinematographer Michael Bourquin (British Columbia: An Untold History).
As Angela’s Shadow prepares to light up screens across Canada, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of Indigenous storytelling, inviting audiences to witness, reflect, and celebrate stories that have too often been left in the shadows.
Images provided courtesy of Nicola Pender
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