Wildhood

Wildhood

Winner of the Best Atlantic Feature Award at the 2021 FIN Atlantic International Film Festival and nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards, Wildhood is a tender and visually stunning coming-of-age story about identity, family, and self-discovery. Directed by Mi’kmaq filmmaker Bretten Hannam, the film blends a heartfelt road narrative with a deeply personal exploration of Indigenous and Two-Spirit identity.

The story follows Link (Phillip Lewitski), a rebellious teenager who escapes his abusive home in rural Nova Scotia after discovering that his Mi’kmaq mother may still be alive. Accompanied by his younger half-brother, Travis (Avery Winters-Anthony), Link embarks on a journey that transforms from a search for family into one of self-acceptance and belonging. Along the way, they meet Pasmay (Joshua Odjick), a young Two-Spirit drifter who helps Link reconnect with his heritage and understand the strength in his own identity.

Hannam’s direction is lyrical and intimate, capturing both the rugged beauty of the East Coast landscape and the quiet emotional truths of his characters. With naturalistic performances and breathtaking cinematography, Wildhood balances grit and grace, grounding its coming-of-age themes in love, healing, and cultural reconnection.

Wildhood is a landmark work in contemporary Indigenous cinema—a film that radiates compassion, resilience, and hope. It’s a story about the families we’re born into, the ones we find along the way, and the power of returning home to oneself.

Closed Captioned in English.

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