Fire Ignited
A gathering of friends at Dr. Augustine's 80th birthday led to a conversation about the importance of promoting Black History Month in Canada, in order to highlight the significant contributions made by Canadians of African descent.
Prepare to be moved and inspired by the life of an incredible woman who broke barriers and fought tirelessly for social justice. The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine is a Canadian icon whose legacy has made a lasting impact on society. In the highly anticipated documentary film “Steadfast – The Messenger and the Message” directed by Fahim Hamid Ali, you will witness the unwavering determination of a trailblazing federal level politician, social activist, and educator.
Through captivating enactments and firsthand accounts, the film captures Dr. Augustine’s journey from her humble beginnings in Grenada, West Indies, to her numerous achievements and accolades after immigrating to Canada in 1960. Her life is a testament to the power of perseverance, courage, and the unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of women, African-Canadians, and the socially disadvantaged.
In May 2023, Steadfast was showcased at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. During this esteemed event, the film was screened to a captivated, packed audience at the Marché du Film, where it garnered an extraordinary standing ovation. The film’s subjects, The Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, director Fahim Hamid Ali, writer Majid Kazmi, and actor Nawa Simon, participated in a spirited and engaging Q&A session, further solidifying the film’s impact and recognition on the global stage.
The story of the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine is one that transcends borders and speaks to the universal struggle for social justice and equality. Her unwavering determination and commitment to fighting for the rights of Canadians is a story that resonates with people all over the world. This is precisely why Steadfast has a global reach.
Dr. Augustine’s story is not confined to any particular country or people. Her legacy as a trailblazing federal level politician, social activist, and educator is an inspiration to people from all walks of life. The film’s message of hope for gender equality, the fight against racism, and women’s rights is one that speaks to people across the world.
It is a reminder that no matter where we come from or what challenges we face, we all have the power to make a positive impact on the world. Dr. Augustine’s story is an invitation for us all to join the movement towards a brighter future, regardless of where we live.
Take a look at the behind-the-scene work that helped create this groundbreaking work in documentary filmmaking
Meet the talented team of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and technicians who brought you Steadfast
THE CHALLENGE
Shooting this documentary during the pandemic posed numerous logistical challenges, from navigating travel restrictions to ensuring the safety of the cast and crew.
MANY FIRSTS
Telling the story of a trailblazer, someone who has made significant contributions to society, came with the added responsibility of doing justice to their legacy and ensuring their story is told in a manner that befits their accomplishments.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We wanted to ensure that the film was representative of the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the communities it aimed to highlight, and that their voices were central to the narrative.
THE CHOICES
The breadth and complexity of the story we aimed to tell required extensive research, planning, and coordination to ensure that we captured its essence authentically and accurately.
A PASSION PROJECT
We were driven by an unwavering sense of purpose, to use our platform to highlight the importance of social justice, diversity, and inclusion, and to inspire and empower others to take action.
CREATING A GLOBAL LEGACY
With the goal of reaching a global audience, we faced the challenge of ensuring that the film’s message was accessible, resonated with diverse audiences, and transcended cultural and language barriers.
Steadfast brings us the uplifting story of Dr. Augustine through her first-hand account of her struggles and triumphs told in her own words. Through re-enactments, the film depicts the courage and determination with which Dr. Augustine fought for the rights of women and African Canadians.
"This is a must-see movie. It’s an inspirational story for anyone and everyone. It chronicles the life story of the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, capturing her humble beginnings in Grenada and her many achievements after she immigrated to Canada."
"The documentary is remarkable; it talks about [Dr. Jean Augustne's] extraordinary career, the challenges, the triumphs. It is not just Dr. Augustine's story; it is Canada's story"
"The Jean Augustine story is one of inspiration and had viewers spellbound through enactments which depicted the women’s advocate and social culturist’s determination to become a teacher, after coming to Canada as a domestic worker."
Fire Ignited
A gathering of friends at Dr. Augustine's 80th birthday led to a conversation about the importance of promoting Black History Month in Canada, in order to highlight the significant contributions made by Canadians of African descent.
Partnerships Forged
A collective of gifted individuals were united by a common goal of producing an uplifting film that celebrates the life and achievements of the revered Dr. Jean Augustine. Over the following months, they transformed into a formidable force.
Ground Broken
We started with planning and scriptwriting when the pandemic hit. It was a challenging to stay on track amid the worldwide restrictions, but we continued to press forward while respecting the new norms. Finally near the end of 2021 we had the film in our hand.
Lo and Behold
Steadfast had its Red Carpet Premiere at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto on April 2, 2022 which was well attended by people from a cross-section of society including film lovers, media, business leaders, professionals and dignitaries.
Join the movement towards a brighter future by sponsoring this film in 2023 and supporting its message of hope for gender equality, the fight against racism, and women’s rights. Main benefits of sponsorship include the following:
Logo in the documentary film. Your logo will reach audiences far and wide, from cinema screens to television channels around the world.
On-stage recognition at all 2023 screenings of the film in Canada and internationally, including film festivals.
Rights to place marketing collateral at events and inclusion of logo in select publications, including the coffee table book.
Complementary invites to screenings and promotional events, including red carpet events and parties.
Creating Steadfast was a labor of love, requiring countless hours both behind and in front of the camera. While there were many individuals who made invaluable contributions throughout the project, here are the key members who brought this inspiring documentary to life.
The story of Dr. Jean Augustine is a universal one that speaks to the fight for social justice and equality. By spreading the word about the documentary film "Steadfast - The Messenger and the Message," you can help amplify her message of hope for gender equality, the fight against racism, and women's rights. Tell your friends and family about this incredible story and be a part of the movement towards a brighter future for all.
Whether you're a non-profit organization, a private company, a community group, or simply a group of individuals, we welcome you to reach out to us to help organize a screening of the "Steadfast: The Messenger and The Message" documentary. Our team can provide you with an easy-to-follow process for acquiring legal rights and logistical support necessary to host a successful screening event. Don't hesitate to contact us and bring this inspiring story to your community.
Are you passionate about social justice and equality? Do you want to make a positive impact on the world? Join our volunteer team for Steadfast. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to support the promotion and distribution of the film, raise awareness about important issues, and be part of a movement towards a brighter future. Whether you have experience in marketing, event planning, or just a desire to help, we welcome you to join our team.
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