The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in Fort Saskatchewan is launching a free monthly film series at Fort Cinema, beginning Monday, August 24 with the documentary “Digging in the Dirt,” which explores the mental health struggles of Alberta oil sands workers.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the screening starts at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone aged 14 and older. The series continues through November with three more films: “Patrice: The Movie” on September 14, “Pride vs Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story” on October 19, and “The Grizzlies” on November 16.
“Digging in the Dirt” is a 44-minute documentary that examines the emotional toll of working in the oilpatch and the mental health crisis that has been largely ignored for more than a decade. The film was a finalist for the 2020 Rosie Award for Best Documentary Over 30 Minutes.
The series is part of FCSS’s ongoing focus on mental health and addictions, which is one of the organization’s current priorities. FCSS is an 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and the City of Fort Saskatchewan under the Family and Community Support Services Act. In 2024, the local FCSS served more than 1,700 people through counselling programs and referrals, along with thousands more through youth, family, and community engagement programs.
Upcoming films in the series cover a range of social issues. “Patrice: The Movie” is a documentary about two Americans with disabilities who want to marry but risk losing government benefits. “Pride vs Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story” tells the story of a gay Alberta teacher whose firing led to a landmark Supreme Court case on sexual orientation as a human right. “The Grizzlies” is based on the true story of a teacher who introduced lacrosse to Inuit youth in Nunavut to help address a suicide crisis.
The screenings take place at Fort Cinema, located at 9922 100 Street. More information is available on the City of Fort Saskatchewan website.
