The World at 10

The World at 10 gives a unique glimpse into Canada's future. Filmed over an entire school year, this cinéma vérité documentary shows the changing face of our culturally diverse, inner-city classrooms. It tracks the progress of two 10-year-old students as they learn about fairness, the consequences of their actions and the realities of life in Canada.

Mahfuzur works hard at assignments and wants to be accepted, but Neola is increasingly distracted by longings for her absent mother. Their Grade five teacher, Ken Scott, knows that the home lives of his students have a powerful impact on their performance at school. Having been raised in a single-parent, low-income family himself, he understands these children more than they realize.

The World at 10 reveals a remarkable candidness in the children as they face new challenges during this pivotal year and make decisions that will affect them the rest of their lives.

The World at 10 was produced as part of the Reel Diversity Competition for emerging filmmakers of colour. Reel Diversity is a National Film Board of Canada initiative in partnership with CBC Newsworld.