Stream Canadian with the NFB in December: four new films, ranging from timely topics to Holiday magic

November 26, 2025 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

In December, keep streaming Canadian on NFB platforms! This month, four new films—three docs and one animated short—are launching online and will be available for free across the country. A moving selection of films that will give viewers plenty to think about:

• Stefan Verna’s documentary Night Watches Us is a powerful call for systemic change in policing;

• Wylem Decaille’s documentary Jireh Gospel: Hearts in Chorus celebrates gospel music as an act of faith and community that can transform hearts, heal the soul and inspire joy;

• François Pierre Breau’s short documentary Fernand’s Christmas is the story of a man who shows us what the true spirit of Christmas is all about: having a generous heart and a passion for giving;

• and Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s award-winning animated short The Girl Who Cried Pearls follows a boy who must choose between love and fortune. The choice could damn his soul.

And currently streaming, Brishkay Ahmed’s feature doc In the Room presents five extraordinary Afghan women in exile discussing their commitment to freedom and equality.

Remember, nfb.ca is home to more than 7,000 streaming films, accessible free of charge.

NEW DOCUMENTARY RELEASES

Starting December 2

• Night Watches Us by Stefan Verna (2025, NFB)
  Documentary (42 min) / Press kit
  
  Documentary styles, street art and spoken word blend in Night Watches Us as it examines the systemic forces that caused the tragic death of a young man named Nicholas Gibbs in August of 2018 in Montreal. The film had its world premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto this past spring.

To celebrate the Holiday season

Starting December 11

• Jireh Gospel: Hearts in Chorus by Wylem Decaille (2025, NFB)
  Documentary (45 min) / Press kit
  
  Jireh Gospel: Hearts in Chorus is an intimate and uplifting portrait of Montreal’s celebrated choir. The film offers a heartfelt glimpse behind the scenes as the ensemble prepares for their Christmas concert, revealing the group’s passion and commitment.

Starting December 15

• Fernand’s Christmas by François Pierre Breau (2025, NFB)
  Documentary (10 min) / Press kit
  
  Fernand’s Christmas is the story of an extraordinary man. Despite his fragile health, every year he dons the familiar red costume to delight the children in his area, the Acadian Peninsula. If Santa Claus was real, his name would be Fernand! The film had its world premiere at the Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie.

NEW ANIMATION RELEASE

Starting December 15

• The Girl Who Cried Pearls by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski (2025, NFB)
  Documentary (17 min 28 s) / Press kit
  
  Set in Montreal at the dawn of the 20th century, this haunting fable shows how greed leads good hearts to wicked deeds. The film won 7 awards and mentions, including TIFF’s Best Canadian Short Film, a qualifying award for the 98th Academy Awards.

NOW STREAMING

In the Room by Brishkay Ahmed (2025, NFB)
Documentary (75 min 28 s) / Press kit

• In the Room presents five Afghan women in exile and their commitment to freedom and equality, which empowers them to take the world stage and reclaim their homeland.
  The film won the Audience Award in the Showcase category at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

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