A local production company, Thousand Year Films (TYF) is set to launch its first feature film Father of Nations in theatres starting today.

Cochrane’s own Aleisha Anderson cofounded TYF along with Nathan Horch and Anderson helmed the production from the director's chair.

“It's a post-apocalyptic drama, we want it to be at the very end of all things” explains Horch, who also wrote the film.  “Humanity's very, very close to extinction and the last few people are processing and dealing with where they are at the end.”

“We go back through some of the key events in their journey through the apocalypse and it's an exploration of grief and loss because you're facing the end”

The film is comprised of a fully Albertan cast and crew and became an official selection at this year’s Calgary International Film Festival.

Anderson believes having a fully local crew elevated the production. “There's so much talent here, and oftentimes we'll lose those great people to Vancouver or somewhere else. It was really important to us to try and really pour into the Alberta film community and lift it up and it's incredible, the talented people that we worked with on this film.”

“We were fortunate enough to have the Alberta-made production grant as well and getting that in itself was a feat”

Father of Nations went on to be nominated for Best Alberta Feature Film at the festival and the screening quickly sold out. Due to the high demand and popularity of the film, starting tonight Father of Nations will have a theatrical release in select Cineplex locations across the province. 

“It's pretty incredible. When we first decided to make this movie, we were sitting around Nathan's kitchen table talking about how we would raise funds for it,” says Anderson. “We talked about doing bake sales and so many ridiculous things but a lot of folks poured in their time and talent and donations of locations and all those things to get this thing made.”

“I think it is such a beautiful film. It's very powerful, and it's meant for the big screen. I'm so excited for people to see it that way.”

Father of Nations screenings begins today in Calgary at the Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, with locations also in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat.