Aberdeen

This drama sees Gail Maurice in a layered performance as Aberdeen, who is navigating through the barriers stacked up against her to find home for herself and her grandchildren. With supporting roles by Billy Merasty, Jennifer Podemski, and Ryan Black, Aberdeen is an emotional, but hopeful, portrait of a complicated woman who must make life-altering choices. Aberdeen navigates the streets of Winnipeg as an adult through a cycle of intergenerational trauma, with glimpses of an idyllic, but short-lived childhood with her grandparents on reserve giving a hint of what she has lost. With pockets of humour and lightness, Maurice skillfully portrays the title character in her best role yet. Ryan is an Ojibway, two spirit, LGBTQ+ creator from Treaty 1 territory, Peguis First Nation. He is a graduate of the NSI/CBC New Indigenous Voices program where he produced an award-winning short documentary that went on to be programmed in festivals all around the globe. Aberdeen is his first directorial feature. Eva Thomas is a writer, director, and producer. Eva’s writing credits include Acting Good, Don’t Even, and Shelved. Her directorial short film debut, Redlights, premiered at TIFF 2023 and her co-directorial and co-written feature Aberdeen in premiered at TIFF 2024. Eva’s television directing credits include Still Standing and Acting Good. Available in-person only. Film viewing availability during the online Festival (June 9-15, 2025): Michif Land-Based Knowledge (Worldwide).