Sea Star is a Canadian short drama film, directed by Tyler Mckenzie Evans and released in 2025.Devon Banfield, "TIFF short ‘Sea Star’ dives into grief, confronting fear of water and unspoken trauma in Black communities". Now, August 21, 2025. The film stars John Phillips as Chris, a middle-aged Black Canadian man who is taking swimming lessons for the first time, while confronting the generational trauma and unresolved grief that have complicated the Black Canadian and African-American communities' relationship with the activity.
The cast also includes Joshua Obasi, Andrea Pavlovic, Cherene Francis, Ewan Wood, Andrea Davis, Lucas Lee, Rain Janjua and Charlotte Avis in supporting roles.
The film premiered in the Short Cuts program at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.Melanie Goodfellow, "Idris Elba’s ‘Dust To Dreams’ Starring Seal Set To Premiere In TIFF Shorts + Full Lineup". Deadline Hollywood, August 7, 2025.
Awards
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Canadian Film Festival 2026 Best Short Film Tyler Mckenzie Evans Jamie Casemore, "Akashi wins Best Feature, audience award at Canadian Film Fest". Playback, March 30, 2026.
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External links