The Innovation Hubs

Former Toronto Public Library Innovator in Residence Sarah Goodman is screening her recently-released film Porch Stories at Toronto Reference Library this Saturday, November 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Porch Stories is a thought-provoking comedy/drama that is spun from different porches in the same multicultural neighborhood in Toronto. The common thread is how life's unpredictable twists and turns can make us rethink even our most cherished goals and relationships. Sarah will introduce her film and take Q&A at the conclusion of the showing.

Porch Stories won'the Award of Excellence in Feature Competition at the Canada International Film Fest and received Special Jury Mention for a Narrative Feature at CIMMfest.

The Innovator in Residence program offers a fun and hands-on way to learn about the technology offered at the library's Digital Innovation Hubs.

Sarah Goodman completed a residency on filmmaking in fall 2014. In her post-residency blog post, Sarah reflected: "Seeing the enthusiasm and the empowerment of a group at the end of a workshop after they had just viewed their work they had shot was definitely a highlight, and seeing them motivate each other… My favourite aspect of my residency was the diversity and talent of the people who attended. It felt representative of this city in a way few programs do."

The library is currently running two residencies on robotics and wearables at Fort York and Scarborough Civic Centre branches respectively. Other residencies have spotlighted 3D printing, 3D design, Arduino and audio production.

Borrow Sarah's other films at the library:

• Army of One – A documentary following the lives of three young people who join the U.S. Army in the wake of 9/11.
• When We Were Boys – A documentary following the lives of students at an upper class private boys' school, where students make and lose friends, create a pecking order, and begin their individual paths to manhood.