Regina documentary, Backroads, heading to TIFF Top 10 Festival

Regina's Camillia Stonechild has always wanted to reach out to abuse victims, but now her story is reaching an even wider audience thanks to a new documentary.

Stonechild said she was abused as a child. She wanted to reach out to other abuse victims to let them know they're not alone.

They shouldn't have to feel guilty. They shouldn't have to feel like they have to hide it-CamilliaStonechild

In a desire to share her story, Stonechild approached her friendCandy Fox, who is a University of Regina film student. The final product is the Fox's documentary, Backroads.

"They shouldn't have to feel guilty. They shouldn't have to feel like they have to hide it," Stonechild said. "I hope that's what it comes to when people watch it."

Now Fox's documentary about Stonechild's life is getting noticed. Backroads was recently named by the Toronto International Film Festival as one of Canada's top ten student films.

The film tells the story of Stonechild's experience with childhood abuse and how she faces backlash from family members who don't believe her.

Fox said she was hesitant about making the film at first because she knew how personal and powerful it was for her friend. Fox said her mother and grandmother have also endured sexual abuse.

"I think I knew how important and how much this story resonated with other women when my grandmother really identified with the film when I showed it to her," Fox said.

Backroads is screening in Regina at the Artful Dodger on December 19 at 7 p.m. The film is screening in Toronto in January.

You can watch the trailer here: