Back Home Again: A Movie about Hope, Strength, and Resilience

Inspired by community resiliency after one of the largest wildfire evacuations in Canadian history impacted the lives of more than 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray and area in 2016, the animated short film, Back Home Again, was brought to life with support from the Canadian Red Cross and other partners.
 
The movie had its premiere and world release at the Edmonton International Film Festival in the fall of 2021, winning two awards. It was also screened at SPARK Animation Film Festival in British Columbia and received an Award of Excellence from the Canada Shorts festival.
 
Told through the eyes of woodland creatures that inhabit the land of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Back Home Again has an all-star voice cast, including Jeremy Renner, Martin Short, Kim Basinger, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Michael J. Fox, Howie Mandel, Ed Asner, Lorne Cardinal, Gordon Pinsent, Mena Suvari, Bill Burr, Tom Green, Norm Macdonald, Harland Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Marlon Wayans, Scott Thompson, and Tantoo Cardinal.

Michael Mankowski, movie director, writer, and creator, explained: “I really wanted to make this film because I grew up in Fort McMurray and was there when this tragedy hit. I wanted to show the world how a community could come together and rebuild. I hope this film sparks conversations everywhere about how we are all one global community, and we all need one another.”
 
Jenn McManus, Canadian Red Cross vice president for Alberta and the Northwest Territories said: “The film provides messages of hope, strength, resiliency, collaboration, and unity in the face of adversity - all of which are important for those recovering from a disaster. We know from experience that recovery takes time, and the increased awareness and subsequent discussions created by Back Home Again will go a long way to build preparedness and resiliency in communities across Canada and beyond, now and in the future.”

The movie, also supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Paul Davis Restoration Canada, and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism, is scheduled to have its premiere in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo in June 2022.