Centre for Immigrant and Community Services: A Story We All Belong To

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. The result is a dynamic retelling of the origins of the 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. 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 the CICS, provided an impressive layer of authenticity to this story.