Launched by the NFB’s French Documentary Studio, the 5 Shorts Project seeks to discover new filmmaking talent from Quebec’s regions while exploring the short-form doc genre. Five directors are challenged to create a 4-to-5-minute short with a technical requirement. These independent, individual films will benefit from the cohort’s constructive reflection and interaction.
In this short documentary, massive ships harking from all four corners of the world majestically glide by on the St. Lawrence River as riverside residents watch. But they know nothing of the secrets hidden in these floating leviathans laden with colourful containers - except for a select few who get to briefly join their voyage when they guide the ocean-crossing ships safely into harbour.
Nadine Beaudet's World of Passage captures poetic fragments of life on board as sailors perform their endless tasks.
This film is part of the The first edition. of the 5 Shorts Project, created by the National Film Board of Canada and produced in conjunction with Spirafilm, a Quebec cooperative dedicated to independent cinema.
The second edition can be found here.
The third edition can be found here.