Stay Awhile

"Stay Awhile" follows Isiah, a young Indigenous person from Oxford House First Nation, as he adapts to urban life in Winnipeg, MB. Amidst feeling misplaced and isolated, his encounters range from misunderstandings to poignant moments of loneliness. His narrative brightens when he befriends Peyton, a fellow native student, offering him a new sense of connection. This film, crafted by a 100% Indigenous cast and crew, originates from the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective's Skodoodsiden Project. It vividly captures the essence of cultural adaptation and belonging, providing an authentic portrayal of Indigenous urban life.

  • John Seymour
    Director
  • Farrah Murdock
    Writer
    Unless You Have Been There
  • Kale Swampy
    Writer
    Aadizookaan
  • Francois Ducharme
    Writer
  • Cole Perswain
    Writer
  • Junior Whitefish
    Writer
  • Peyton Sabiston-Bruyere
    Writer
  • Lisa Diane Rueckert
    Writer
  • John Seymour
    Producer
  • Desiree Brightnose
    Producer
  • Maureen Peebles
    Producer
  • Christopher Swan
    Producer
  • Stacy Flett
    Producer
  • Megan Wood
    Producer
  • Colton Traverse
    Producer
  • Kane Wood
    Key Cast
    "Isiah"
  • Megan Wood
    Key Cast
    "Peyton"
  • Stacy Flett
    Key Cast
    "Kohkom,"
    Mamasis
  • Christopher Swan
    Key Cast
    "Bucky"
    Mamasis
  • Colton Traverse
    Key Cast
    "Hipster"
    Unless You Have Been There; Unit 33
  • Jaime Wescoup
    Key Cast
    "Rugged Dude"
  • Desiree Brightnose
    Key Cast
    "Student"
  • Keara Barrett
    Key Cast
    "Student"
    Victors
  • Linsey Murdock
    Key Cast
    "Student"
  • Liam Walker
    Key Cast
    "Student"
  • Ruhi Tolibin
    Key Cast
    "Passerby"
  • Christian Swan
    Key Cast
    "Background"
  • Garret Gunning
    Key Cast
    "Original Poem Narrator"
  • Desiree Brightnose
    Assistant Directors
  • Stacy Flett
    Assistant Directors
  • Megan Wood
    Assistant Directors
  • John Wapioke
    Director of Photography & Cinematographer
    Many Wounds; Mémère
  • Linsey Murdock
    Camera Assistants
    Aberdeen
  • Colton Traverse
    Camera Assistants
  • Christopher Swan
    Lighting & Camera Production Assistant
  • Lisa Diane Rueckert
    Make Up
    Aberdeen
  • Keara Barrett
    Make Up
    Aberdeen; Levers; Don't F**k With Ghosts
  • Liam Walker
    Boom Operator
    Victors
  • Garret Gunning
    Sound Mixer
    Victors
  • Kale Swampy
    Sound Production Assistant
    Aadizookaan
  • Maureen Peebles
    Production Assistants
  • Cole Perswain
    Production Assistants
  • Garret Gunning
    Editors
  • James Dixon
    Editors
  • Linsey Murdock
    Editors
  • Craig T. Wood
    Editors
  • Keara Barrett
    Editors
  • Liam Walker
    Editors
  • Craig T. Wood
    Original Poem
  • Song: "Stay Awhile" by Ernest Monias, used with permission
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 14, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Red Nation International Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    California Premiere (November 2024)
    Official Selection
  • Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival
    Richmond, VA
    United States
    Virginia Premiere (November 2024)
    Official Selection
  • Hobnobben Film Festival
    Fort Wayne, IN
    United States
    October 6, 2024
    International (US) Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Gimli International Film Festival
    Gimli, MB
    Canada
    July 26, 2024
    Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective Programming
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    Honorable Mention (Top 3 in Short Film Category)
  • WIFC Skodoodisden Switch-A-Roo Premiere
    Winnipeg, MB
    Canada
    April 21, 2024
    World Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Winnipeg Film Group Distribution (Non-Exclusive)
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - John Seymour

John Seymour is Ojibwe-Cree from Winnipeg, MB, and family from Seymourville, MB - a community near Hollow Water First Nation. He is a band member of Peguis First Nation. His career includes roles working in movie theatres, acting, writing, and professional engagements as a trademark paralegal and project manager. He has been involved in writing, directing, acting, producing and editing various short films. John's filmography includes appearances in award-winning short films "Unless You Have Been There" (Farrah Murdock), and "Don't Look @ Me" (Sean Kinsella), and the feature film "Aberdeen" (Ryan Cooper & Eva Thomas).

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Director Statement

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