Celebrating Valentine’s Day might not always be a laughing matter, but this year’s holiday includes some comedic relief – the first all-Indigenous stand-up comedy documentary, “Rez Comedy”, premieres Feb. 14, 2025.

The stand-up showcases nine Indigenous comedians and is available Feb. 14 on SVOD, AAM.tv, and TVOD on Amazon Prime.

Keither Nahanee (Squamish nation) and Quentin Lee co-directed and produced the film along with Cindy AuYeung. After working together on “Comedy Invasion”, which won Best Comedy Special at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, Lee visted Nahanee in Vancouver. During the trip, they brainstormed the idea for an all-Indigenous comedy special.

Originally, creating the film was a bit challenging, Lee said. They were dropped from development of a TV series version with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Being an independent filmmaker, Lee said he thought to make it a feature film instead.

“That was just when we got nominated for the Canadian Screen Award in [2024], and we actually won it. We were like, well, there’s no reason why we should not be making this kind of thing. And especially that being one of probably the first Indigenous comedy specials,” Lee said.

Nahanee has been doing comedy since 2014, and he organizes a monthly “Rez Comedy” show in Vancouver. The live show includes an inclusive lineup of comics varying each month. He is also the host in the “Rez Comedy” film.

He said it’s exciting to have an all-Indigenous lineup for the film and to get Indigenous comedians into the mainstream.

“For me, personally, it is huge … But, my partners, Quentin and Cindy, aren’t Indigenous. But they believe in Indigenous comedy so much. Of all the money and the time that we put into it to put Indigenous stand-up out there for the world,” Nahanee said.

Nahanee said he is proud of all the comedians and their hard work in the film and that it has “no fear.” Lee and Nahanee said they gave the comics freedom to do what they believed in without restriction.

With “Rez Comedy” live in Vancouver, Nahanee said he’s gotten feedback from audience members saying they appreciate hearing the history of Indigenous people in a comic way.

“I want any age, any Indigenous people to put out their own specials to start getting the Indigenous jokes, Indigenous stories, Indigenous stereotypes, out there,” Nahanee said. “I’ve been not only getting good feedback from the video itself, the movie itself, but we do Rez Comedy live monthly. And I’m getting a lot of non-Indigenous people coming to talk to me after the show of what they liked. … Instead of just preaching about the hardships, when you’re telling someone history and having it in a humorous way, I think people will absorb it a little more than just going to a lecture.”

Nahanee has done a lot of healing since getting into stand-up comedy, and he said that contributes to his advice for aspiring comedians.

“If you want to make people laugh, take that change to get on stage, because not only will you make them laugh, you’ll heal yourself too through the trauma that we’ve went through and are going through,” Nahanee said.

Nahanee said he hopes people get a little more knowledge of Indigenous history and Indigenous humor from the film, and the audience can do that while having a good time, Lee said.

“That’s why it’s really fun to work on these projects because I’m always cracking up watching, even though I’m watching the cut for the tenth time, I’m still laughing. And it’s just great to be able to entertain and also to educate, which is what artists should be,” Lee said.

Lee enjoys working with Keith because he is “such an inclusive kind of person” and always supportive of those around him.

“I think for me and Keith, our vision is more about building bridges, reaching out to different minorities. We band together and to create new combinations, new artistic endeavors. That’s why we bonded because we’re both really interested in building bridges between our communities and other communities to work together to build a better kind of tomorrow,” Lee said.

According to a press release, “Rez Comedy” is qualified for the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards in the following categories: Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary, Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary, Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary, and Best Original Music in a Feature Length Documentary. To learn more, visit rezcomedy.com.

“I’m just proud that we’re able to make [the film] because we were just stacked up against [it]. … We’re just proud that we’re able to make it and get it out and then hoping for the best for the Canadian Screen Awards, because we’re FYC – for your consideration – right now. The nominations come out in March,” Lee said.

Also from a release, comics and producers involved in the film are listed here:

Keith “Bubbas” Nahanee (producer and comic from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw – Squamish Nation, BC).

Brenda Prince (comic from Ojibway, Ontario – currently based in Vancouver, BC).

Wayne Alexis (comic from Stó:lō Nation from Cheam band).

Janelle Niles (comic from Sipekne’katik First Nation, Nova Scotia).

Helena Paul (comic from Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (father’s side) and from the farm land in Chilliwack (Stó:lō Nation) with added relations from Skowkale First Nations (mother’s side)).

Kevin Shawanda (comic from Birch Island, Ontario).

Denise B. McLeod (comic from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, north shore of Lake Huron, Ontario).

Colin Bird aka Chuck Cease (comic from Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Cree First Nation, Saskatchewan).

Drea Omer (comic from Saskatchewan).

Cindy Au Yeung (producer and editor)

Quentin Lee (producer and director)