client: Cravedate published: Nov 03, 2025 content type: Feature Films
Feature Film
What We Dreamed Of Then
We partnered with a multi-talented creator to develop and option a dramatic feature film about the realities of houselessness, successfully navigating complex national financing and licensing pipelines with CRAVE and Telefilm to bring an urgent social narrative to mainstream audiences.
Executive Producer: Steve Foster, Greg Hemmings, Sandy Hunter, Britt Kerr, Taylor Olson
Producer: Steve Foster, Sandy Hunter, Britt Kerr
Director: Taylor Olson
Screenplay development, premium streaming and distribution contracts, full-tier independent feature film production management, and national marketing assets.
The Challenge
Bringing a raw, independent dramatic feature film to life in Canada is a monumental undertaking, especially when tackling deeply complex and heavily stigmatized social issues. For the creative force behind What We Dreamed of Then—a multi-talented scriptwriter who envisioned directing and starring in the project—the hurdle wasn't just artistic; it was navigating the highly competitive and notoriously intricate maze of national film financing and commercial distribution. The script aimed to tell an urgent, necessary story about the fragile realities of living rough and experiencing houselessness. To ensure this message reached a mainstream audience without losing its authentic, human heart, the creator needed a sophisticated production and business partner to transform a brilliant screenplay into a highly viable, fully financed, and legally protected commercial asset.
The Approach
We stepped in at the absolute roots of the creative process, acting as the foundational production and development partner to architect the film’s business framework.
Script Development & Optioning: We partnered closely with the writer-director-actor to refine and polish the screenplay, ensuring the narrative structure remained emotionally profound while maximizing its marketability. Recognizing its immense potential for social impact and cinematic excellence, we formally optioned the script to lead its development.
Securing Commercial Licensing: In a strategic co-production alliance with our friends at Cazador Inc., we aggressively pitched the project to major networks. Our efforts successfully secured a premium streaming license with CRAVE, establishing immediate commercial validation and national distribution footing.
Piecing Together the Financing Puzzle: With the CRAVE license in hand, we piece-by-piece assembled a complex, multi-tiered financing structure. We meticulously coordinated across public and private entities, aligning our commercial distributor at Vortex Media with financial backing from the Province of New Brunswick, federal tax credits through CAVCO, and equity investment from Telefilm Canada.
What We Dreamed Of Then encourages us to keep those on the margins of our cities and our towns visible in ways that are kind, humanizing, and can hopefully lead to the systemic change needed to make a real difference and fix the cracks in our society. This is a powerful and heart-rending film from one of Halifax’s most prolific and celebrated filmmakers." Amanda Campbell
The Impact
Aquila: Defining Excellence captured the full scope of what Aquila had built, linking its shore excursion operations in Atlantic Canada with its record of delivering positive experiences for travellers worldwide. For the first time, both audiences could see the whole picture.
The impact has continued to grow ever since.
Aquila has helped train tour operators in more than 140 destinations worldwide. Its 10 global trainers educate more than 1,500 operators each year, impacting more than five million visitors. On the shore excursion side, Aquila guides more than 60,000 cruise visitors in locations around New Brunswick.
