Watch the trailer for our powerful new documentary, FORBIDDEN UNIVERSITY (1 x 52' & 1 x 90'). Directed by @nauzaninknight , Executive Produced by @pennbadgley and produced by BIHE Documentary Film Corporation, this visually striking film uncovers the underground world of the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), a hidden network of teachers and students resisting persecution in their pursuit of knowledge.
In Iran, Bahá'ís - the country's largest religious minority, are systematically denied access to higher education. Through intimate interviews, reenactments, and painterly rotoscope animation, the film follows former students of the underground Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education who transformed kitchens and basements into classrooms and risked imprisonment for the right to learn.
Despite repeated government raids and arrests, BIHE continues to operate - a powerful testament to resilience in the face of persecution.
At once a thriller and a meditation on the cost of knowledge, The Forbidden University is a powerful testament to the right to education and the courage of those who struggle for it. This is a documentary that doesn't just expose injustice, it honours the unbreakable spirit of resistance.
#ForbiddenUniversity #Documentary
A hidden world. A powerful story. A one-time screening.
See The Forbidden University at NorthwestFest — a visually striking documentary about courage, learning, and resilience.
📍 Metro Cinema, Edmonton
🗓 Saturday, April 11
⏰ 2:30 PM MT
🎟 Tickets: LINK IN BIO
#albertafilm #keepalbertarolling #indiefilm #womeninfilm
Participants Not Tagged:
Tolou Golkarseisany
Bonnie Thompson
So honoured that THE FORBIDDEN UNIVERSITY has won the 2026 NorthwestFest Audience Awards for
🏆Fav Alberta Film!
My deepest appreciation to our amazing cast and crew who brought this film to life and our wonderful community for your heartfelt support.
@nwfyeg@1844studios
https://www.northwestfest.ca/awards/2026
Miniature OUT NOW! 💛 Through the work of @lancecardinalofficial history is not only remembered - it’s revisited with care, honesty, and intention. If this trailer resonates with you, we encourage you to watch the full film and spend time with the story it holds.
🎬 Link in bio
#indigenousart #residentialschools #artforhealing #reconciliation #canadianhistory
Such a privilege and honour share this moment with the cast and crew of The Forbidden University, dearest friends and family. Much love to all ❤️🕊️
@nwfyeg
We brought together emerging BIPOC talent, employers, and training partners to build pathways into Alberta’s film and TV industry. 🎥 The BE Collective Connect-Hire Career Expo wasn’t just an event. It was a step towards some more equitable screen sector.
Stay connected by subscribing to our mailing list on our website for upcoming programs, training opportunities, and industry updates.
We’re grateful for the collaboration of the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta (Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade) in supporting the development and delivery of this Labour Market Partnership (LMP) initiative.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors for helping make this FREE event possible:
@youralberta@1844studios@macewanu
Alberta Film
@edmontonscreen@blackscreenoffice@iatse_210@iatselocal212@reelworld@abmediaarts
#albertafilm #yegevents #bipocinfilm #filmcommunity #canadianfilm #entertainmentindustry
Talent isn’t the problem. Access is. The Connect-Hire Impact Report reveals the systemic barriers preventing BIPOC creatives from entering Alberta’s film + TV sector—and the concrete steps the industry can take today.
Powered by BE Collective and @1844studios advancing equity from the ground up. 💛
We’re grateful for the collaboration of the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta (Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade) in supporting the development and delivery of this Labour Market Partnership (LMP) initiative.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors for helping make this FREE event possible:
@youralberta@1844studios@macewanu
Alberta Film
@edmontonscreen@blackscreenoffice@iatse_210@iatselocal212@reelworld@abmediaarts
#albertafilm #yegevents #bipocinfilm #filmcommunity #canadianfilm #entertainmentindustry
Our first BE Collective Connect-Hire brought BIPOC talent together with employers, exhibitors, and industry leaders for a day packed with real conversations, career opportunities, and community building. Thank you to everyone who attended - we hope this is the first of MANY events to come.
We greatly appreciate all our exhibitors, keynote speakers, and @priscillathecherry who kept the energy high as our MC. Extra appreciation to Mitra Knight and @nauzaninknight from @1844studios for leading BE Collective 💛
We’re grateful for the collaboration of the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta (Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade) in supporting the development and delivery of this Labour Market Partnership (LMP) initiative.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors for helping make this FREE event possible:
@youralberta@1844studios@macewanu
Alberta Film
@edmontonscreen@blackscreenoffice@iatse_210@iatselocal212@reelworld@abmediaarts
#albertafilm #yegevents #bipocinfilm #filmcommunity #canadianfilm #entertainmentindustry
Thank you to everyone who came to the first BE Collective Connect-Hire event yesterday. We want to recognize our incredible sponsors for allowing us to put on this free event. We couldn’t have done it without their generous contributions.
We gratefully acknowledge the support and collaboration of the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade, in the development and delivery of this Labour Market Partnership (LMP) initiative.
Thank you to our sponsors:
governmentofcanada (not sure if that’s the right account to tag)
@youralberta@1844studios@macewanu
Alberta Film
@edmontonscreen@blackscreenoffice@iatse_210@iatselocal212@reelworld@abmediaarts
💛
#albertafilm #yegevents #bipocinfilm #filmcommunity #canadianfilm #entertainmentindustry
Advice from @jenkinsonjoan from @blackscreenoffice on how YOU can start your career in film and TV. This is a clip from Joan’s keynote speech at the BE Collective Connect-Hire event that took place today. Follow us for news about future events! 🎥🎬 #albertafilm #yegevents #bipocinfilm #filmcommunity #canadianfilm #entertainmentindustry
🎓 Deric Olsen, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications at MacEwan University, joins the BE Collective Connect-Hire Career Expo to discuss “Education to Industry: Building Pathways for Diverse Talent.”
Gain insight into how educational institutions and the screen industry can work together to empower the next generation of diverse storytellers.
🌟 Plus, experience a day designed to connect and uplift BIPOC and underrepresented communities in Edmonton’s screen sector:
• Hear from speakers & industry leaders from the ESIO, Telefilm, Alberta Film, Black Screen Office, and more
• Meet 15+ leading production & post-production companies
• Network with top professionals across departments
• Join a thriving community of 200+ aspiring screen practitioners
📍 MacEwan University – Allard Hall, Feigel Conference Centre
📅 October 27, 2025 | 1:00–5:00pm
⚠️ Space is limited — register now at the link in our bio! #becollective #connecthire #macewanuniversity #edmontonscreenindustry #edmontonfilm #albertafilm #canadianfilm #bipocinfilm #diversetalent #inclusivefilm #filmcareerexpo #filmnetworking #screenindustry #creativepathways #filmcommunity #canadiancreatives #filmprofessionals #filmeducation #behindthescreens #filmcareer #yegfilm #yegarts #diversityinfilm #representationmatters #filmindustrycanada
🎬 Meet Dorian Rowe, Film Commissioner in the Edmonton region representing @edmontonscreen at the BE Collective Connect-Hire Event — one of the key voices shaping the future of Alberta’s screen sector.
Join us for Scaling Edmonton’s Screen Industries: Innovation, Growth, and Inclusion, happening October 27, 2025 at Allard Hall, MacEwan University.
✨ Hear from industry leaders, connect with top production professionals, and be part of an inspiring community of 200+ BIPOC creatives and screen sector practitioners driving change in Edmonton’s film and television landscape.
🎥 Reserve your FREE tickets at the link in our bio
#BECollective #EdmontonFilm #ScreenIndustries #BIPOCInFilm #AlbertaFilm #TelefilmCanada #BlackScreenOffice #MacEwanUniversity #FilmNetworking #CanadianFilm #InclusiveStorytelling @reelworld@favacommunity
