"How To Bury A Dog" screening 2026 Montreal Women Film Festival

"How To Bury A Dog" is a Canadian short debut film directed by Magdalena Barys, set to be shown at Cinema du Parc on September 6th, 2026, as part of the Montreal Women Film Festival nominations.

A woman and her former boyfriend visit a lake house to lay their cherished dog to rest. This is a tale of two solitary individuals clinging to one another…

Set in the rural landscapes of Ontario, Canada, the story delves into mental health, focusing particularly on middle-aged challenges. It explores what happens when life doesn't meet our expectations, when hope is lost, and when we feel isolated and disconnected.

The narrative places special emphasis on suicidal thoughts, inspired by real-life experiences. The secluded yet beautiful setting symbolizes the loneliness of depression, yet hints at hope and laughter.

This film is led by a female writer/director/lead who identifies as LGBTQ2S+; the lead actor, Jsin Sasha, is a Canadian of South Asian descent with a varied career in film, television, and theatre since his debut in CTV's Played in 2013; the score composer, Christopher Martin, is Indigenous.

Magdalena Barys is a Polish Canadian with Austrian roots. Her heritage and cultural background are essential to her identity as both a person and an artist.

Magdalena Barys is a professional actor, known for her work with Crave, Netflix, Discovery Plus, and Travel Channel. In 2020, she chose to move behind the camera to write, direct, and produce her first online short series, "The Hugger," which explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and mental health. She also wrote and directed various shorts for "You’ve Been Distant" – a weekly online sketch series that won 2 Audience Choice Awards and 1 Judges Selection Award.