“Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul” scored a major moment this February, winning Best First Feature Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. Directed by Graeme Mathieson and produced by Andrew Munger, with Clement Virgo serving as executive producer, the film received its U.S. West Coast premiere with two special screenings at The Culver Theater.
The documentary dives into the powerful but often overlooked story of Toronto’s Jamaican Canadian music community. At the center is Jay Douglas, whose journey from Jamaica to leading the influential group The Cougars helped shape the city’s soul, reggae, and funk scene during a transformative era.
Through archival moments and interviews with musicians and cultural voices including Sly Dunbar, Jackie Richardson, Cadence Weapon, and Michael Williams, the film captures the spirit of a community that helped redefine Toronto’s musical identity. The story carries both historical weight and undeniable groove.
“Play It Loud!” continues to build momentum on the festival circuit following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, bringing wider recognition to a chapter of Canadian music history that deserves the spotlight.