Centre for Immigrant and Community Services Honours Continued Commitment in Anniversary Film

The Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS) has joined forces with renowned Canadian production company Merchant and director Sara Jade Alfaro to create an inspiring film commemorating CICS' 55th anniversary. The creative development and production of the PSA - which took place in March 2023 - underscores a commitment to supporting CICS' mission in building communities, and empowering immigrants and vulnerable populations. 

“For quite some time I had been thinking about immigration stories, and how images and representations of immigrants in Canada are so limited. It made me reconsider my  parent’s generation - having immigrated to Canada in the '80s, their experiences felt so distant. In this work, I wanted to ask: What does migrating to Canada as a refugee look  like today? Who are the players that make immigration possible for so many Canadians? It was important to create modern images, fresh faces, and make room for new stories.” said Sara Jade Alfaro.  

The result is a dynamic retelling of the origins of CICS: It started as a small idea with a few students providing translation services out of a makeshift Chinatown office, and grew into a major settlement and community services agency in the Greater Toronto Area that has been fostering social connections and empowering communities for 55 years. 

The film features a diverse range of scenes, from the first office to the development of youth programming, from food bank services to tai chi activities, and from a graduation ceremony to an intimate family dinner. Notably, ever scene takes place in an empty gymnasium, featuring a simple red backdrop, which constant from start to finish. It is a striking representation of the passage of time, and the unchanging scene signifies CICS' unwavering commitment to those in need, and all the potential that lives under one roof.  

“Over the years at CICS, a myriad of stories have been written and told, and countless lives  have been touched and changed,” said CICS executive director Alfred Lam. “The visual narrative not only highlights CICS’ story and impact, but also illuminates our pivotal role as a community builder, creating human connections.” 

The execution of the film involved a motion-controlled camera set up, which tracked along the gymnasium, timed with precision between each setup to create unique tableaus. The final frame showcases the many faces of the settlement agency’s community.  

The scenes are reminiscent to a school play, stripped down to bare production design essentials to keep the focus on the humans at the centre of each story. The set pieces appear on the stage in stop motion fashion, building and breaking down each scene rhythmically, ending with a final community portrait.  

Families and individuals including recent immigrants from Syria and Ukraine were eager to assist and be featured in the piece. The use of real people talent, who were mainly clients and collaborators of CICS, provided an impressive layer of authenticity to this story.  

“I found myself at one point directing a scene with a large family, where children as young as six would aid me translating my notes into their maternal language, guiding their own parents and relatives through the shoot, navigating multiple language. It was unreal and so humbling.” said Sara Jade Alfaro.

Overall, the film aims to raise awareness of CICS’ work and impact, remind the public about the importance of supporting newcomers and vulnerable communities, and send out a call to action to partner with CICS inspiring Canadians old and new to write the future of our country.