In a world where over a billion people live without access to heat, power, or light, a new documentary takes us into the heart of the energy crisis—and the grassroots efforts working to solve it. Help Is On The Way, the latest film from Canadian filmmaker Mathew Embry travels from the Peruvian Andes to the Canadian Arctic, following a diverse group of changemakers fighting for energy justice on the world’s forgotten frontlines.
Shining a Light on Energy Poverty
This is a story told through people who understand firsthand what it means to live without electricity—and what it means to help provide it. In Peru, we meet Kevin Quillahuaman, a mountain guide with access to remote villages tucked deep in the highlands where darkness still rules the night. Alongside him is Kalista McNabb, a Canadian student helping install solar panels in homes that have never known electric light. Their mission is simple but profound: to bring sustainable energy to those long overlooked by the developed world.
Help Is On The Way follows a diverse group of changemakers fighting for energy justice on the world’s forgotten frontlines.
The film also follows Pavneet Cheema, a Canadian volunteer whose time in India galvanized her commitment to energy equity; Mykola Pelikov, a Ukrainian filmmaker and refugee whose story is shaped by conflict and displacement; and Blaine Chislett, an Inuk energy advocate working to reduce diesel dependency in Nunavut. At the center of these efforts is Aaron Cohen, Executive Director of Light Up The World, an organization leading the charge to bring light, connection and dignity to off-grid regions.
Energy Justice: A Global Story with Canadian Roots
Backed by sweeping visuals and deeply personal stories, Help Is On The Way is more than a portrait of need—it’s a map of hope. It reveals how renewable energy can transform not only homes but entire futures. But the film also turns its lens back on Canada, a country rich in energy resources yet still grappling with its own access issues, particularly in northern and Indigenous communities.
Canada’s energy potential is often stymied by political gridlock and infrastructure gaps. The film doesn’t shy away from the hard questions. Rather than falling into the usual binary of fossil fuels versus renewables, Help Is On The Way argues for a blended, pragmatic approach—one that recognizes energy as a human right, not a partisan issue.
A Call to Action for Canadians
“This isn’t about politics,” says Embry. “It’s about people and the power to help them.” His words echo throughout the film, a call to Canadians and the global community to see energy not just as a commodity, but as a catalyst for health, education and opportunity. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear: energy poverty isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s a crisis that touches all of us, and one where Canada has a chance to lead.
Free Global Access on YouTube
In keeping with the film’s mission to educate and ignite change, Help Is On The Way is released free to the public via YouTube, courtesy of Muster Point Productions. This open-access release is a deliberate move to ensure the film reaches those who need it most—particularly in regions where paid platforms remain out of reach. The comments section will remain open, too, encouraging honest dialogue and global engagement in a time when conversation around tough issues is often shut down.
About the Filmmaker: Mathew Embry
Hailing from Calgary, Mathew Embry is known for crafting documentaries that spark dialogue and challenge norms. With films including Painkiller and Living Proof, Embry has earned a reputation as a bold, socially aware storyteller. His work has screened at TIFF, Hot Docs, and festivals worldwide, and he is the founder of MS Hope, Energy Creates and President of Muster Point Productions.
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