Archbishop’s Dinner 2025 — Archdiocese of Vancouver

A film of human dignity and the power of being known by name.

Overview

For the fourteenth annual Archbishop’s Dinner hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, Amitié Studio was invited to create a film that launched a new fund dedicated to women facing adversity. Anchored by the testimony of one alumna, the enduring ministry of a religious sister and the voice of Vancouver’s Archbishop, the narrative invited solidarity for hardship often left unspoken. In six minutes we offered an invitation: to know, to honour, to belong.

What We Made

A six-minute film composed of conversation, gesture and environment, designed for event projection and digital circulation.

Approach

We began with the thought of human dignity. Facing sensitive subject matter, including women rebuilding their lives amid trauma, the film was shaped by empathy and intentional restraint.

Rather than accumulate stories, we narrowed our focus. One story, carefully framed, became the lens through which many might see themselves.

Visually, light, space, and gesture carried meaning. We chose contemplative compositions and quiet motion.

We aligned the work with the audience: those who give, yet expect dignity; those who serve, yet seldom seek visibility. The film posed a reflection: generosity does not only rescue but also recognises.

Outcomes

+ The film served as the emotional centrepiece for the Archbishop’s Dinner, guiding the evening’s tone and donor engagement.

+ It activated the new fund dedicated to women facing adversity, offering a narrative frame of safety, healing and new beginnings.  

+ By treating presence as story, the film reflected a posture of care, shaped by restraint, attention, and quiet storytelling.

Contributors

Client: Archdiocese of Vancouver

Special Thanks: Sancta Maria House, Sister Chita Torres, The Door Is Open, Archbishop Richard W. Smith

Format: Film / Photography

Theme: Presence / Material / Process / Community / Belief