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International Day of Happiness sparks fundamental question: What makes you happy?

March 20th is International Day of Happiness, an annual global holiday instituted by the United Nations in 2012. In honour of this day, we asked Winnipeggers 'What makes you happy?'

Annual day created to encourage personal happiness, compassion around the globe

CBC News ·

Winnipeggers answer: What makes you happy?

1 day ago
Duration 3:44
In honour of the UN's International Day of Happiness, we asked people what brings them joy in life?

We could all use a little more happiness, right? 

With global uncertainty, market upheavals and a trade war between Canada and the United States, it's enough to cause even the most affable and joyful person to take pause.

Today is International Day of Happiness. Held every March 20, the day was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to recognize "happiness as a fundamental human goal." To that end, the UN called for "a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples." 

With that in mind, Sisler Create filmmaking students, assisted by Red River College Polytechnic student Sean Monfero, hit the downtown campus of Red River College Polytechnic to ask students, staff and passersby: What makes you happy? 

Young man with dark hair and round, wire-framed glasses holds a black and white sign that says 'What makes you happy?'
Red River College Polytechnic student Sean Monfero walked about campus to ask people a simple question: What makes you happy? (Focal Plains Studio)

From great grades, to trips away, to their art and favourite cookies, Winnipeggers shared their simple joys. 

The result? A new short three-minute documentary by students in the Create program at Sisler High School, which they made in collaboration with CBC Manitoba.

CREATE students Joseph Huntington, Raiden Dumaran, Ewan Webster and Semira Abolore, along with Sean Monfero, produced the new short video.

Meet the filmmakers 

A young man has spiky green hair and black glasses.
Joseph Huntington is an aspiring filmmaker. His interest in film began in Grade 11, when he made a film with a friend. He believes filmmaking can inspire others and change lives. Editing is his favourite part of filmmaking. In his spare time, he enjoys walks, going to the gym and playing video games. (Focal Plains Studio)
A young man with short dark hair and glasses looks forward. He is wearing a light grey sweatshirt and has black-framed glasses.
Raiden Dumaran has been taking creative courses since Grade 9. He has a passion for motion graphics, and also enjoys editing and working behind the camera. In his free time, he's usually at the gym or sleeping with his favourite songs on repeat. (Focal Plains Studio)
A young man with short dirty blond hair wears a grey hoodie in this head-and-shoulders portrait. He has sunglasses hooked on his front collar.
Ewan Webster started his career in film at age 11 as a background actor in local productions. He started to learn how to edit film and audio in Grade 11 after years of behind-the-scenes experience on set. Ewan hopes to become a film and audio editor. (Focal Plains Studio)
Young woman with long black, braided locks smiles. She is wearing a light blue-grey top with short sleeves.
An aspiring filmmaker, writer and producer, Semira's passion for storytelling stems from a childhood love of books and movie nights with her family. Semira loves bringing people together through their stories. Teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of the best projects, she believes, and working with others is one of her favorite parts of bringing a story to life. (Focal Plains Studio)
Young man with short, straight hair and bangs sits on a stool. He is wearing a sweatshirt that says Athletic Championships on the front and cargo pants with a pocket on the side. He wears round metal framed glasses and has his hands clasped on his lap.
Sean Monfero is currently attending Red River College Polytechnic in the digital film and media program. He loves film production, lighting and editing. (CinemaRolls Studios)

More about Project POV: Sisler Create

CBC Manitoba's Project POV: Sisler Create is a storytelling collaboration that partners filmmaking students with CBC Manitoba journalists to produce short docs. You can see past projects here. 

The Winnipeg School Division's Create program is hosted at Sisler High School and trains post-high students in the creative digital arts.

During fall 2024, CBC journalists taught storytelling to filmmaking students and led producing workshops at Sisler.

Create focuses on education and career pathways into the creative industries. Students can take courses in animation, film, game design, visual effects, graphic design and interactive digital media.

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