“IT COMES IN WAVES”
DOMINATES
REELWORLD FILM FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY, WINNING FIVE MAJOR AWARDS

TORONTO, ON – October 21, 2025 – Opening Night Film “It Comes in Waves,” the powerful debut feature film from Haitian Canadian filmmaker Fitch Jean, claimed five prestigious awards, Including Outstanding Feature Film at the 25th Anniversary Reelworld Film Festival, further solidifying its position as one of Canada’s most compelling cinematic achievements of 2025. The film served as the Opening Night selection for the festival’s milestone celebration at The Royal Theatre in Toronto on October 16, 2025.
 
The film’s awards sweep includes Outstanding Feature Film for director Fitch Jean, Outstanding Feature Actor for Adrian Walters, Outstanding Feature Producer for Amir Zargara, Outstanding Feature Cinematographer for Jelan Maxwell, and Outstanding Feature Writer for Sammy Mohamed. The win follows the film’s Audience Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival and a warmly received Canadian premiere at Cinefest Sudbury.
 
“Having ‘It Comes in Waves’ opened the Reelworld Film Festival’s 25th anniversary was an incredible honor, and to win five major awards including Outstanding Feature Film is beyond our wildest dreams,” said director Fitch Jean. “Reelworld has always been a beacon for stories that might otherwise go untold, and to kick off the festival with Akai’s journey means everything to us. I hope audiences see themselves in these characters’ struggles and triumphs and recognize that healing isn’t linear; it truly comes in waves. More than anything, I want people to leave understanding that even in our darkest moments, the act of choosing to heal, to seek help, and to break cycles is its own form of courage. This film is for anyone who’s ever had to be strong for others while barely holding themselves together.”
 
Set against the backdrop of the Rwandan diaspora in Canada, “It Comes in Waves” follows Akai (Adrian Walters), a young man forced to step up and care for his younger sister Zera (Nendia Lewars) after their mother’s health unexpectedly declines. The family, having fled Rwanda’s genocide to rebuild their lives in Ottawa, Ontario, must navigate the complexities of immigrant life while confronting intergenerational trauma, family responsibility, and the legacy of displacement.
 
The film marks Jean’s first feature-length narrative and represents a significant creative evolution for the filmmaker, who has earned recognition at more than 50 international film festivals throughout his career. Shot over 14 days across Ottawa, Perth, and Toronto, “It Comes in Waves” features authentic Kinyarwanda dialogue performed by members of Ottawa’s Rwandan community, ensuring cultural accuracy and emotional resonance.
 
The ensemble cast includes celebrated Canadian actors Olunike Adeliyi (“Flashpoint,” “Titans,” “Workin’ Moms”), Brandon McKnight (“The Flash,” “The Shape of Water”), Emmanuel Kabongo (“Outer Banks,” “Star Trek: Discovery”), Marium Carvell (“Schitt’s Creek,” “Umbrella Academy”), Ryan Rosery, McKenzie Small, and Nendia Lewars. Adrian Walters delivers a breakthrough performance as Akai, marking his feature film debut after notable television roles in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Porter.”
 
The film was produced by Amir Zargar, with executive producers Fitch Jean, Weggon Allen, Sam Ibrahim, Franckie Francois, and Lovell Adams-Gray. The screenplay was written by Sammy Mohamed from a story by Fitch Jean. Cinematography was handled by Jelan Maxwell, who also served as the film’s colorist.
 
“It Comes in Waves” has secured Canadian distribution through Mongrel Media, one of the country’s most prominent independent distributors, following its world premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami in June 2025. The film continues its successful festival run with upcoming screenings at the Austin Film Festival, Urbanworld Film Festival in New York, Windsor International Film Festival, and the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival.
 
About “It Comes in Waves”:
“It Comes in Waves” is a deeply personal and culturally layered Canadian independent feature film that explores themes of memory, grief, identity, and spiritual transcendence. Through its intimate portrayal of the immigrant experience, the film becomes a universal tale of resilience, depicting how individuals and communities confront and transcend their histories. With compelling performances from a superb cast and uncommon visual panache, the film represents world-class work from an undeniable filmmaker with a bright future.
 
About Reelworld Film Festival:
Founded in 2001 by award-winning actress and producer Tonya Williams, Reelworld Film Festival advances opportunities for Canadians who are Black, Indigenous, Asian, and People of Colour in the screen industries by providing professional development and advocating for racial equity in Canadian content and production. The festival has become a vital cultural institution, showcasing the extraordinary artistry of diverse filmmakers and storytellers across Canada.
 
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1038033139/6859d74dcb