The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Joe

2002 8 min
Leaving soon

This animated short tells the story of Seraphim "Joe" Fortes, one of Vancouver's most beloved citizens. Born in the West Indies, Joe Fortes swam in English Bay for over than 30 years. A self-appointed lifeguard at first, he became so famous that the city of Vancouver finally rewarded him with a salary for doing what he loved best. He taught thousands of people to swim and saved over a hundred lives. Yet there were some who did not respect him because of his skin colour. Through his determination, kindness and love for children, Joe helped shift attitudes.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Joe

Details

This animated short tells the story of Seraphim "Joe" Fortes, one of Vancouver's most beloved citizens. Born in the West Indies, Joe Fortes swam in English Bay for over than 30 years. A self-appointed lifeguard at first, he became so famous that the city of Vancouver finally rewarded him with a salary for doing what he loved best. He taught thousands of people to swim and saved over a hundred lives. Yet there were some who did not respect him because of his skin colour. Through his determination, kindness and love for children, Joe helped shift attitudes.

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism All subjects
Animation Black Communities in Canada All channels
  • creator
    Jill Haras
  • director
    Jill Haras
  • producer
    George Johnson
  • composer
    John Sereda
  • characters
    Jill Haras
  • backgrounds
    Jill Haras
  • additional backgrounds
    Martin Rose
  • animation
    Tami Knight
    Martin Rose
    Amanda Forbis
    Sherann E. Johnson
    Tracy Lewis
  • digital preparation
    Keven Fedirko
  • infographics
    Nathaniel Akin
    Claire Maxwell
    Scott Kiborn
    Rubén Möller
  • technical support
    Rubén Möller
    Keven Fedirko
    James Schmidlin
  • editor
    Jill Haras
  • animatic editor
    Jeanne Slater
    Shirley Claydon
    Ileana Pietrobruno
  • voice
    Blu Mankuma
    Brenda McDonald
    Richard De Klerk
    Maria Fierro
    Shirley Milliner
    Janyse Jaud
    Colin Murdock
    Michael Dobson
    Laara Sadiq
    Terry Klassen
    Katie Virshilas
    Michal Suchanek
    Nickol Tschenscher
    Natasha Vasiluk
    Eric Savics
  • voice casting director
    Carmen Ruiz-Laza
  • sound supervisor
    Gael MacLean
  • sound editor
    Haida Paul
  • foley artist
    Maureen Murphy
  • foley recordist
    Robert Hunter
  • sound assistant
    Jody Robert Lessard
  • re-recording mixer
    Bill Sheppard
    Dean Giammarco
  • post-production sound
    Cinesonic Productions Inc.
  • re-recording
    Cinesonic Productions Inc.
  • original conforming
    The Bush Edit House
  • post-production services
    Rainmaker Digital Pictures
  • production supervisor
    Kathryn Lynch
  • program administrator
    Bruce Hagerman
  • executive producer
    Svend-Erik Eriksen

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Roku Apple TV Fire TV Android TV Apple App Store Google Play Store
Joe
Purchase options
Also available
DVD
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.

Explore