In the late 1990s, eight-year-old Sasha (Eyul Guven) and her Hungarian immigrant family relocate to a new home on Vancouver Island. As they settle in, the younger siblings are equally enchanted with the surrounding nature and the rudimentary paint programs on their father’s PC. But Jeremy (Edik Beddoes), the oldest child, grows increasingly withdrawn as he busies himself hand-drawing elaborate maps of fantasy realms. As his erratic behaviour escalates, his family are gripped by a sense of powerlessness.
Having amassed an extensive filmography of internationally celebrated shorts, Sophy Romvari helms a staggeringly assured debut feature that’s richly detailed, sophisticatedly designed, and deeply felt. Kurt Walker’s adroit editing instils an enthralling rhythm and allows for seamless temporal shifts in which we’re introduced to an adult Sasha (Amy Zimmer). Meanwhile, the shots composed by Romvari and cinematographer Maya Bankovic are nothing short of exquisite. But more than its captivating imagery, it’s Blue Heron’s haunting heartache that ensures that it’s an indelible viewing experience.
Swatch First Feature Award, Locarno 2025; Best Canadian Discovery, Toronto 2025
Oct 4 & 5: Q&A
Presented by
Media Partner
Eylul Guven, Iringó Réti, Ádám Tompa, Edik Beddoes, Liam Serg, Preston Drabble
Canada/Hungary
2025
In English and Hungarian with English subtitles
Coarse language
Open to youth at The Cinematheque
At Fifth Avenue
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Riel Roch-Decter, Lauren Melinda, Neil Champagne, Veronica Diaferia, Sara Eolin, Jasmin Karibzhanova, Sam Sutcliffe
Producer
Ryan Bobkin, Sara Wylie, Sophy Romvari, Gábor Osváth
Screenwriter
Sophy Romvari
Cinematography
Maya Bankovic
Editor
Kurt Walker
Production Design
Victoria Furuya
Sophy Romvari
Sophy Romvari is a Canadian-Hungarian filmmaker based in Toronto. Her acclaimed short films have screened at TIFF, Hot Docs, Sheffield, and True/False, earning her recognition as a rising talent. In 2020, she completed her Master’s at York University, where her thesis film Still Processing premiered at TIFF and was later featured on the Criterion Channel. She has directed for CBC and Kino Lorber. Her latest short is available on The New Yorker and MUBI. Blue Heron is her feature debut.
Filmography: Pumpkin Movie (2018); Still Processing (2020); It’s What Each Person Needs (2022)
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The Secret in Their Eyes
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American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
