Agatha’s Almanac: Life on an Ancestral Manitoba Farm

The documentary Agatha’s Almanac is receiving international attention and expanding its reach with screenings in Winnipeg and several other cities globally. The film, directed by Manitoba filmmaker Amalie Atkins, provides a detailed look at the life of the director’s 92-year-old aunt, Agatha Bock.

The production captures the daily rhythms and textures of Bock’s existence as she continues to maintain her ancestral family farm located in southern Manitoba. The film documents a fading way of life, specifically focusing on Bock’s commitment to traditional practices and the preservation of heirloom seeds.

Critical Recognition and Festival Success

The documentary has earned significant industry accolades. At Hot Docs 2025, Agatha’s Almanac won the award for best Canadian feature documentary. The Toronto International Film Festival named the production one of the top 10 films of the year.

The film’s public trajectory began with a screening at the Gimli International Film Festival in the summer of 2025. Bock noted that while she initially viewed the sold-out screenings in Gimli as a local event due to the size of the town, the film has since moved into larger venues.

Life on the Ancestral Farm

The documentary highlights the austere conditions of the southern Manitoba farmstead, which lacks modern amenities. Bock operates the farm without the use of a cellphone or running water.

Bock follows a strict seasonal schedule, residing on the farm from the beginning of May until the first snowfall. During the winter months, she lives in an apartment in Winnipeg.

The property was purchased by Bock and her brother, John, following the death of their father. John is turning 95 in April 2026. To support her half of the farm’s costs, Bock took over the responsibility of caring for the garden.

Philosophy of Independence

Atkins describes her aunt as a force of nature in the film. This tenacity is reflected in Bock’s refusal to abandon her rural lifestyle despite external pressure.

Many people have told me — about 15 years already — that I should quit the farm. Why am I still there? Why am I still doing this? Why can’t I stay in the city?

Agatha Bock

Bock attributes her longevity and continued health to the physical demands of farm work, stating that the exercise has helped keep her going.