Exciting News: We’re Filming our First Season!

We’re thrilled to share that our team has been selected to receive development funding from the Independent Production Fund and Canada Media Fund for the first season of our new short-form comedy series, Harmony Gardens.

This is a huge milestone. Out of 225 English-language applications, only eight projects were selected — and ours was one of them.  The evaluators loved the concept, calling it timely, important, and full of feel-good moments and humour.  They also appreciated our early research and commitment to involving real industry voices in the process — including many of you who’ve followed and supported our work for years.

Our journey into stories about aging began over a decade ago with our documentary Cyber-Seniors, which followed teens teaching seniors how to get online. That film opened the door to important intergenerational conversations and introduced us to a community we’re still connected to today. Harmony Gardens builds on that legacy — this time through scripted comedy — shining a light on the humour, humanity, and heart that exists inside long-term care homes.

Series Synopsis:
Harmony Gardens is a short form comedy series a la Superstore and Abbott Elementary, that follows a group of retirement home employees, who seemingly never leave work, and the people they care for, who also never leave (until they like LEAVE leave…). It’s fast paced, featuring an offbeat, compassionate staff, dealing with an eclectic group of seniors that have very few social filters (they have long stopped caring what people think), talk a lot about death (but it’s not DARK), and have a surprising number of hookups (it’s PG vibes though).

We’re currently in production on the first season. Check out the teaser trailer above.

We can’t wait to show you more — and to bring a little laughter and a lot of love to a setting that’s long overdue for a spotlight.

—
Stay tuned,
The Harmony Gardens team

Genre: Web series
Release Date: In Production
Director: Saffron Cassaday
Writer: Macaulee Cassaday
Producers: Brenda Rusnak

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Dev is a single dad to 16 year old Sam, and the sole caregiver of his 80-something year old mother Ange. Ange lives on her own and is determined to hold onto her independence despite her declining physical and mental health. Sam is shy and a little lost. He keeps locked up in his room most days, playing video games. Dev worries incessantly about both of them.

Trailer

Genre: Comedy, Web Series 

Episodes: 15 x 5 min

Release Date: 2022

Director: Saffron Cassaday

Writer: Macaulee Cassaday

Producer: Brenda Rusnak

Watch Here          IMDB

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After Caregiving is a documentary style series in which individuals are asked to recount their experience in the weeks, months and years after their caregiving role ends. Whether it is due to recovery, transfer of care or death, After Caregiving presents, through re-enactment, the challenges that come with navigating this transition.

Trailer

Genre: Docuseries
Episodes: 15 x 5 minutes
Release Date: 2023
Director: Saffron Cassaday
Writer: Saffron Cassaday
Producers: Macaulee Cassaday, Brenda Rusnak

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Proving you’re never too old to learn something new, initially reluctant seniors discover the wonders of the world-wide-web with the help of teenage mentors. Their exploration of cyberspace is catapulted to a whole new level when 89 year-old Shura decides to create a YouTube tutorial. This inspires a lively competition where hidden talents and competitive spirits are revealed. 

Trailer

Genre: Documentary

Release Date: 2014

Run Time: 75 mins

Broadcast version: 52 mins

Director: Saffron Cassaday

Writer: Saffron Cassaday

Producer: Brenda Rusnak

Watch On

Website   IMDB

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Deeply personal and laced with humour and romance, this bold documentary offers a unique perspective of this emerging medical breakthrough, seen from a patient’s point of view.

Trailer

Genre:  Documentary 

Release Date: 2023

Run Time: 69 mins

Director: Saffron Cassaday

Writer: Saffron Cassaday

Producer: Brenda Rusnak

Watch On

Website   IMDB

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One in ten DC residents have been incarcerated. Calling themselves “Returning Citizens”, this population is now banding together to lead the charge on what they see as the last bastion of a civil human rights issue. From freshly released individuals trying to find shelter, to activists who have successfully re-entered, Returning Citizens focuses on a passionate, close-knit community of individuals who are looking for a second chance – or perhaps a chance they never had to begin with.

Trailer

Genre: Documentary

Release Date: 2017

Run Time: 69 mins

Director: Saffron Cassaday

Writer: Saffron Cassaday

Producer: Brenda Rusnak

Watch On

Website   IMDB

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