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Surfacing

2015 6 min
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This short film explores the passions of acclaimed musician and songwriter Sarah McLachlan, using her own words and drawings to guide us through her rich creative world, the founding of the groundbreaking Lilith Fair, and her philanthropic work at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. Produced by the NFB in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2015 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

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Surfacing

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This short film explores the passions of acclaimed musician and songwriter Sarah McLachlan, using her own words and drawings to guide us through her rich creative world, the founding of the groundbreaking Lilith Fair, and her philanthropic work at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.



Produced by the NFB in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2015 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

Women - Portraits Music All subjects
Fascinating People Spotlight on Canadian Musicians All channels
  • recipient
    Sarah McLachlan
  • writer
    Julia Kwan
  • director
    Julia Kwan
  • producer
    Shirley Vercruysse
  • director of photography
    Thomas Billingsley
  • editor
    Luis Lam
  • sound design
    Gordon Cobb
  • animation
    Elisa Chee
  • sound recordist
    Brent Calkin
  • production manager
    Jennifer Roworth
  • 1st assistant camera
    Laird Pierce
  • key grip
    Casey Chan
  • gaffer
    Knesha Yu
    Wes Machnikowski
  • data management technician
    Laird Pierce
    Wes Machnikowski
  • production assistant
    Kathleen Jayme
    Meredith Lewis
    Terrance Azzuolo
    Stirling Bancroft
  • vocalist
    Sophie Elder-Labrie
  • piano teacher
    Shane Raman
  • colourist
    Lorne Wright
  • sound mix technician
    Chris McLaren
  • associate producer
    Teri Snelgrove
  • production coordinator
    Kathleen Jayme
  • technical edit coordinator
    Wes Machnikowski
  • production supervisor
    Kathryn Lynch
  • studio administrator
    Jennifer Roworth
  • executive producer
    Shirley Vercruysse
  • project coordinator
    Stéphanie Lalonde
  • project executive producer
    René Chénier

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Education

Ages 13 to 18
School subjects
Arts Education - Music Civics/Citizenship - Citizen Responsibilities Media Education - Popular Culture

Ideal for classes and projects on community music and art appreciation. What were Sarah McLachlan’s formative musical experiences in her youth? Why is it important for her to support musical education? Research sexism in the music industry and debate the value of creating a festival for female musicians. Why is being close to nature important for McLachlan? Write about your formative experiences with music and with nature. Write a poem that combines the two.

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