Experiencing Interruptions?

The Leo

Will this be a culmination of the past 50 years or the beginning of the next? This question looms over the town of Prescott, Ontario as the community of just over four thousand people prepare for the 50th edition of the Super Bowl of minor league hockey, "The Leo Boivin Showcase." Director and Prescott native, Mitchell Jansman, takes the audience on a ride through the tournament's deep history and explores what the future of this tournament, as well as small town Ontario, looks like.

  • Mitchell Jansman
    Director
  • Jake Shannon
    Producer
  • Cory Pitman
    Producer
  • Mitchell Jansman
    Producer
  • Colin Cameron
    Cinematographer
    Before They Joined Us
  • Mitchell Jansman
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Sports Documentary, Coming of age
  • Runtime:
    1 hour
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    18,500 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Blackmagic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mitchell Jansman

From small town beginnings in Prescott, Ontario to the city skylines of downtown Toronto, Director Mitchell Jansman's work balances a gritty down-to-earth realism with a charming lust for life.

As a part of the new generation of independent Canadian filmmakers, Mitchell's films tend to lean on a run and gun, DIY approach and have enjoyed success in the indie film festival scene.

Notably, Mitchell's filmmaking talents emerge from an unlikely place, as he began his career whilst studying sustainability at Toronto Metropolitan University.

With a wide community of collaborators, the likes of which have been recognized by organizations such as Sundance, TIFF, NFFTY and VIFF, Mitchell feels lucky to be contributing to the evolution and sustainability of Canadian Cinema.

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Director Statement

As far back as I can remember, the last weekend of every March I was at my local rink – the arena named after the hockey legend Leo Boivin, attending “The Leo Boivin Showcase”. For Prescott, my hometown, it was our Superbowl! The season finale! No one went to work or school on that Friday, the first day of the three day tournament. For us, every year, it was the biggest thing to happen in our small town. The teams knew it, the parents knew it, and the packed barn full of fans, sometimes hundreds of them, well they sure knew it too!

Growing up, learning to play the game of hockey as a young boy, I understood hockey tournaments were common in many communities. However, it wasn’t until I was older that I realized just how unique “The Leo” tournament was and the profound impact of this small town tournament had on my life – it was much more than just another hockey tournament.

In 2018, due to safety regulations, Prescott lost the ability for the arena to have ice, and with that, the heart of the community, the gathering spot for generations and of course the iconic “Leo Boivin Showcase” tournament no longer existed. That same year I left my small town and moved to Toronto for university, but it felt like I was leaving behind something that was broken. I didn’t understand what this arena, and The Leo meant to me until years later…

Cut to 2022 as my mom and I stood in front of the brand new arena surrounded by my community as they cut the ribbon to open the new rink for the public. In an almost too casual comment it was revealed that after a long hiatus “The Leo” was returning to Prescott just in time for its 50th anniversary and in a brand new arena nonetheless!

I felt like after losing it once, this was my chance to show the world what this tournament meant to me, how a sporting event brings together communities as one, impacted and enjoyed by all ages.

The story of “The Leo”, is a warm and grounded representation of Canada’s quintessential small town communities, and I hope audiences will be able to connect to this story of coming of age and coming together in a time where Canadian culture and community is more important than ever. Everyone has their “Leo”, what’s yours?

P.S. What you're viewing is a work in progress. The film will end up running approximately 70 minutes long but we are still waiting for one of our subjects to finish the NHL playoffs.