International Women's Day, Oscars and World Water Day on NFB Platforms for March 2026

 (Images provided by the NFB)

February 2026 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

This March, keep on streaming Canadian content on the NFB’s platforms! We’re marking International Women’s Day on March 8, and we’ll have three new films—two documentaries and an animated short—streaming free across the country. All three of these moving, powerful films were directed or co-directed by women.

In Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh’s feature doc The Nest, centuries of forgotten matriarchs emerge to reveal untold stories of resistance and resilience.

 

In Yuqi Kang’s feature doc 7 Beats Per Minute, freediving champion Jessea Lu returns to the site of her near-death experience to face the traumas of her past and find a way back to connection.---

My review of the film from last year-click here

 

Hayat Najm’s animated short The Sounds of Things Ablaze transforms a story about human atrocities into a poignant tribute to women who face adversity—one step at a time.

The NFB, which has received an award for its commitment to parity, also puts women’s perspectives front and centre on its themed channel. And let’s continue to celebrate cinema with Oscars night, coming up on March 15! Mark the occasion by watching Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s The Girl Who Cried Pearls, nominated for this year’s Best Animated Short. Last but not least, we’d like to highlight our selection of films to mark World Water Day on March 22.

And remember: on our online platform (nfb.ca and NFB Apps for mobile devices and TV) and YouTube, you’ll find more than 7,000 films available to stream free of charge.

To mark International Women’s Day, March 8

NEW RELEASE – Starting March 3 

The Nest by Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh (2025, NFB)

Documentary (89 min)

At the end of her mother’s life, decolonial writer Julietta Singh returns to say goodbye to her childhood home in Winnipeg. As she digs into the history of the house, she uncovers 140 years of forgotten matriarchs and political histories she never knew. Following its world premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto, the film screened in festivals across Canada and in the U.S., winning two awards.

Strong Women channel: Strong Women - NFB

Filmmakers, dancers, activists, musicians, mothers, warriors… Through their own lens, discover the rich stories of the women who run the world. This inspirational channel features many films, including the new release The Nest.

Platinum Parity Certification

This year, the NFB once again earned Women in Governance’s Platinum Parity Certification, the organization’s highest gender-parity certification level. A meaningful acknowledgement of the vital role played by women at the NFB.

NEW RELEASE – Starting March 12

7 Beats Per Minute by Yuqi Kang (2024, Intuitive Pictures/NFB)

Documentary (100 min)

During a world-record attempt in 2018, freediving champion Jessea Lu blacked out and was lifeless for four minutes. Returning to the site of her near-death experience, the film parallels Jessea’s physical and mental journey back from the depths. It was selected to screen at over 15 festivals worldwide, including South by Southwest, and received five awards.

NEW RELEASE – Starting March 16

The Sounds of Things Ablaze by Hayat Najm (2025, NFB)

Animation (6 min 35 s)

Told through animated charcoal drawings, this is a story of resilience about a woman still haunted by the horrors of war. For this first animated film by Lebanon-born, Montreal-based visual artist Hayat Najm, award-winning pianist Jean-Michel Blais composed and performed the original score. Selected to screen at festivals in Canada and abroad, the film received the award for Best Animation at the New York City Short Film Festival.

To mark Oscar's night on March 15

Oscar's channel: Oscar® winners and nominees - NFB

The Girl Who Cried Pearls by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski is in the running for this year’s Best Animated Short Film Oscar, the 79th Academy Award nomination for an NFB film. As you wait to see if it takes home Oscar gold, watch this short film and explore the other winners and nominees on the channel.

To mark World Water Day, starting March 22

This selection of much-loved classics and recent releases, which includes more than 25 documentaries and animated films, puts the focus on water in all its forms. The feature-length film Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again by Lyana Patrick was recently added to the lineup.