Chasing Destiny

After her mother’s funeral, Cree teen DESTINY has one goal: escape the child welfare system. She’s tough, sharp, and refuses to be controlled. Dropped at crumbling farm by Mohawk social worker JOYCE, Destiny finds herself in the care of HOLLY, a strict evangelical who treats foster kids like unpaid labour. When Destiny resists humiliating rules - like serving tea in uniforms - Holly punishes her, spanking her with a Bible and cutting her hair.

Her only ally is ARNOLD, a quiet Cree foster boy who disappears into books. Used to surviving by staying invisible, Arnold is drawn to Destiny. When Destiny learns that her estranged father, MIKE, is hosting a music festival up north, she decides to run away and to her surprise - Arnold is already packed. Thus begins the chase for Destiny. Destiny and Arnold encounter biker gangs, commit credit card fraud, and bluff their way through every ridiculous an unsettling encounter, all while being chased by Joyce, Holly, and overzealous cop BENOIT. Their journey is wild and improvised, filled with unexpected moments - and plenty of heart.

As they face each obstacle, the story also takes us into Destiny’s mind through her sketchpad. Her artistic escapism offers a glimpse into her inner world, where she imagines herself as a fearless hero, navigating the chaos around her with dry humour and wit. The sketches provide a unique and unfiltered lens that is, at times, lighthearted, while also serving as dark manifestations of Destiny’s suppressed grief. Along their journey, Destiny and Arnold realize they have more in common than they ever could have thought. And for the first time in their lives, they begin to imagine a life beyond survival. Destiny also finds something she didn’t know she was looking for and is finally able to confront her grief and find belonging.