Films
Space Boy (2025)
Executive Producing
Ascent Stories was brought onto this project as an Executive Producer and Co-Producing company. The other Executive Producers included The Screen Acting Academy Founder & Casting Director Mike Migliara, IATSE’s Lance Royal Smith and SAIT Graduates Director North Warhurst, Co-Founder of The Local Edit Inc & Tanner Hill, the other Co-Founder of the Local Edit in Calgary, Alberta.
The Story
The story follows Cynthia, played by Angelique MacLeod, who brought an unforgettable depth to the role of a struggling single mother in the 1980’s Alberta, in Space Boy the Film.
“Being a single mom is an incredibly hard place to be,” Angelique shared. “You’re battling exhaustion, fear, guilt—and still trying to give your child the best version of yourself, even when you feel like you have nothing left. I carried that quiet strength into every scene.”
Angelique’s performance resonates with raw honesty and heartfelt grace. Through Cynthia, she honours the resilience of single mothers everywhere—flawed, overwhelmed, and still showing up every day with beauty and fight.
Thank you, Angelique for your tribute to demonstrating true vulnerability and real strength.
A brief synopsis: A babysitter, Sam – played by Quainna Clarke does a favour for her neighbour, Cynthia (played by Angelique MacLeod) as she struggles to find a better career path to lead her family to a better life. Sam puts on a Sci-fi TV show, only to find out that it was taped over this family’s collection of home videos and you’ll learn the family’s history. Heartfelt, funny and inspiring for all audiences.
Securing Funding
Heliopolis Social Cafe Film Industry Panel
Spring 2025
When Lance Royal Smith approached Ascent Stories with the script written by North Warhurst, the message of family support and unity through times of difficult economic strife and familial struggle was all too resonant with us. He came to us with their script and we were able to work together to build upon it, create more emotional depth and resonance with the characters as well as securing funding for the production of the film in creative ways.
The first thing Ascent Stories supported in helping secure funding was by joining forces with Heliopolis Social Cafe and hosting a Film Industry Q&A and Networking Panel for the Cast & Crew of Spaceboy. Film enthusiasts, cinemaphiles and artists alike gathered together to celebrate the upcoming production and ask meaningful questions about the industry, such as how to get involved and where to begin. It was an arts hub, with painters, photographers, filmmakers, actors, publicists, artists and pianists all under one roof and diving into deep discussion and meaningful relationships. The event built a lot of local communication to bring awareness to the film, earned some funding for the filmmakers and the venue and other artists in unison and built momentum for the next event, the Spaceboy Gala. These photos were captured by our on-set photographer, Jake Carty.
The Spaceboy Gala
Helping coordinate the Spaceboy Gala was no small task, it took a village. The goal was to raise funding and secure the production budget. The Gala was a centre for the arts to come together and celebrate once again, with other artists coming to celebrate together. Ascent Stories partnered with a local fashion industry partner, the Numa Network where models walked a catwalk runway down the Salt & Brick location in Calgary.
There were silent auction items from local business owners that was acquired to help support the film, along with exclusive catered menu items and a signature cocktail made for the occasion. Poets were brought in with our direction and were able to share their messages through the microphone during the evening to inspire audience members.
It was an unforgettable evening, with the event being a success and being able to complete the necessary production budget to pay the cast and crew, along with the equipment rentals and insurance needed.
