Northern Banner Releasing
presents
A BREED APART
the striking feature debut from Toronto filmmakers
Adam Belanger and David Lafontaine
Special Event Screening – Saturday October 3, 2026
REVUE Cinema – 3:00pm
One Week Engagement – Beginning October 9, 2026
CARLTON Cinema
PRESS RELEASE
After more than a decade working together in Toronto’s independent theatre scene, Adam Belanger and David Lafontaine make their feature directorial debut with A Breed Apart, a period drama set in 1850s Canada about a father and son trying to find their footing in a new land.
Set on a remote Canadian farm, the film follows English cattle breeder Sydney Tompkins (Joshua Close) and his nine-year-old son Emmett (Isaac Highams) as they attempt to build a life after arriving from Great Britain, where the boy’s mother has recently died. With winter fast approaching, they must prepare their prized cattle for the harsh season ahead while struggling to close the distance growing between them.
The cast includes Joshua Close (Killers of the Flower Moon, Monica), Isaac Highams (Foundation, Grantchester), James Gilbert (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Tudors), Krista Bridges (Narc, Dream Scenario), Charlie Storey (Sullivan’s Crossing), Michael Hough (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Simon Webster (FROM), and Stuart Hughes (Orphan Black, It).
Belanger and Lafontaine first began working together in Toronto’s independent theatre scene, producing dozens of critically acclaimed plays before turning their focus to film. In 2021 they founded their production company Armenta Films and co-directed their first short film, Rivals.
Belanger brings an extensive background as a production designer, winning a Canadian Screen Award for his work on the hit Canadian film BlackBerry. Lafontaine began his career as an actor, appearing in Aaron Sorkin’s Academy Award nominated Molly’s Game as well as ABC’s Designated Survivor.
A Breed Apart was produced by Jordan Barker, Adam Belanger, Borga Dorter and David Lafontaine, with cinematography by Adam Madrzyk (The Boy in the Woods), editing by Ashley Gilmour, and costumes by Hanna Puley (Heated Rivalry).
The film was shot in Powassan, Ontario and produced by Armenta Films and Gearshift Films. Canadian distribution will be handled by Northern Banner Releasing.