Canadian screen industry veteran Donald Shebib, best known for his 1970 film Goin’ Down the Road, has died at 85.

Shebib died at a hospital in Toronto surrounded by his family on Sunday (Nov. 5), according to a report from CBC News.

Filmcoop’s Emily Andrews, a producer on Shebib’s last film Nightalk, said in a statement to Playback Daily that the filmmaker will be remembered as a “legendary, passionate, talented Canadian filmmaker, and of course a loving friend.”

“He was energetic and enthusiastic. We loved his vision and passion for the piece. Lots of energy and endurance for the work. Don said he would never make a bad film and took his time to find the greatest performances and cut,” added Andrews.

Shebib’s early work included documentaries for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) such as Satan’s Choice (1966), A Search for Learning (1967), and Good Times, Bad Times (1969) for CBC. Then came the highly-acclaimed narrative features, such as Goin’ Down the Road and Between Friends (1973).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Toronto Film Critics Association said Shebib “gave Canadian film one of its dramatic breakthroughs” with Goin’ Down the Road, which was produced by Union Pictures and restored by Moviepix and the National Archives.

Telefilm Canada said on X that Shebib’s “works left an indelible mark on Canadian film and television, blending storytelling with profound social commentary.”

In an interview with Playback in 1999, Shebib said Goin’ Down the Road was a “goodhearted film, people liked the characters and it was an interesting story,” before adding, “although I think the plot was kind of weak.”

The film centres on two best friends who pack up their lives in Nova Scotia for a shot at a new beginning in Toronto.

On the film’s status as a landmark film in Canadian cinema, he said: “I don’t think it’s a question of being truly Canadian, I think it’s a question of being entertaining,” he said.

Shebib’s last film was Nightalk, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.

Recalling her time working with Shebib on Nightalk, Andrews said: He shared his joy and frustration with golf and stamps. Don taught me a lot about perseverance, fighting for what you believe is good work and enjoying the process of filmmaking. A cheeky, fun and lovely human.”

Photo by Darren Eagles/Getty Images