imagineNATIVE Co-presentation

If you transform the landscape, you transform the people. Massive hydroelectric projects have redefined James Bay since the 1970s, creating cultural changes and political battles for the local Cree whose lives have always been connected to the rivers.

May 2, 2013 at 6:30PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3 (350 King St. West)
May 4, 2013 at 3PM, TIFF Bell Lightbox 4

www.hotdocs.ca

April 13, 6PM
Famous Players Canada Square, 2190 Yonge St
Cinema 4
BUY TICKETS NOW 

As the Japanese bomb Australia’s north, 95 Aboriginal children and their missionaries make a remarkable journey to safety across the continent. Over 44 days they travel 5,000 miles by foot, boat, canoe, truck and train. This compelling documentary film is their story, in their own words, a truly heroic and untold journey.

www.reelworld.ca

ShortsHD is accepting immediate submissions for a special TV event to spotlight the very best of short filmmaking created by Indigenous filmmakers.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 15, 2012

Criteria is as follows:
• Short films in all genres: 5 – 30 minutes in length
• HD delivery is preferable
• Master delivery is cost effective and easy
• ELECTRONIC FILES: delivery via external hard drive, USB Key or data transfer orHDCam or HDCam SR
• Non-exclusive TV broadcast license, 3 years
• $18 per minute for USA and/or €20 per minute for EMEA

How to submit for Consideration:

Fill out a submission form here: http://www.shorts.tv/shorts_film_submission_form.pdf

DIGITAL DELIVERY:
Submit online with a completed submission form and password protected VIMEO link of your film to

ACQUS@shorts.tv AND linda@shortsinternational.com
SUBJECT HEADLINE must read: ShortsHD First Nation spotlight

OR

HARDCOPY:

Send a DVD screener with a completed submission form to:
Attn: Linda O. Olszewski / ShortsHD First Nation spotlight
1522B Cloverfield Blvd.
Santa Monica CA 90404
USA
Phone: (310) 829-6815

For more information about ShortsHD visit http://www.shortshd.com/

Rush Line for the sold out Water Journey!

Disappointing, but it serves me right for not getting my tickets ahead of time! Lesson learned—it’s going in my growing rule book for next year, along with “make SURE you have a program” (I can’t tell you how often I look through that thing, and how much easier it’s made my life), and “free events often equal free food!”

Luckily there were still plenty of films to choose from!

First up was Part 2 of the International Spotlight on the Mapuche. I was lucky to catch Part 1 yesterday, and was excited to learn more about these amazing people—though I really feel that even after seeing multiple films on the subject, no one could ever fully know or understand what the Mapuche have suffered and survived, and what they are experiencing today.

Before the screening, director Francisco Huichaqueo had an Elder from the Anishinaabe people (forgive me if this is incorrect—I wasn’t able to quite catch her introduction!) to bless his film. It was incredibly moving, the entire theatre silent as her powerful voice carried through the room, and she spoke of eagle and the condor coming together to sanctify and protect the film and the people depicted within it.

I can’t really find words to describe how amazing both Reunion of the Body by Huichaqueo, and Cristian Jure’s We Shall Overcome Ten Times were…they couldn’t be more different in style, but both were incredibly affecting, funny and somber in turn, both with a strident political message that shocked and grounded each story resolutely in present day. As Pascuale Pichun, the protagonist of Ten Times states: “Every day things happen that must be shown.”

Images from these films will stay with me for a long time. I feel so fortunate to have seen them, and I only hope more and more people are able to experience them in the future.

Cara Mumford at the Mothers and Daughters Screening!

Next I caught the Mothers and Daughters Shorts Program II, which was a complete delight. The films were in turn funny and sweet, poignant, though provoking, heartbreaking, full of both love and sorrow, and with an over-riding theme of family, and motherhood, and the connections we make with those who give us life, who raise us, and who leave an indelible impression on us in their wake. I laughed often during the program, and am not ashamed to admit that I cried huge salty tears during Lindsay McIntyre’s Her Silent Life. What an amazing experience—thank you so all the filmmakers who made themselves vulnerable enough to present such beautiful work!

Directors Cara Mumford, Cheryl L'Hirondelle, Lena Recollet and Wanda Nanibush (R-L) discuss their work at the Q&A

Lastly, there was the Smoke Traders presentation, preceded by an extraordinarily funny short film Da Smoke Shack. Kaniehtiio Horn is seriously hilarious, and needs to be in more films as she in infinitely watchable, and effortlessly endearing. Smoke Traders was less humorous, but still fascinating, as I really knew nothing about the cigarette industry on the reservations going into the screening, and so found the film really compelling. Director Jeff Dorn presented the story with such clarity—even I could get it, with no background knowledge—and chose to follow such interesting characters that the film seemed to slip by in a matter of minutes, it was so watchable.

Kaniehtiio Horn and Jeff Dorn at the Q&A

All in all, a really unbelievable day. I hope everyone’s having as much fun as I am! See you all tonight at the closing gala and awards show!!!

Alanis Obomsawin

Hey everyone! Back again with more highlights, and do I ever have a lot of them today! Friday at the festival was JAM PACKED!

In the morning I caught the “Rock the Doc” and “Drama Queen” pitch competitions. I’ve never been to anything like it, and didn’t know what to expect, but it was amazing! Basically, there’s a panel of judges from various Canadian media outlets (and we’re talking big guns here—Bell Media, the National Film Board, Shaw, TVO, etc.), and each prospective filmmaker has about 5 minutes to share their vision of their project. Sounds easy enough, but the time limit really amps up the tension, and I found myself getting nervous on the participants behalf! Needlessly, of course, because everyone did so well—good luck to the judges who have to pick only ONE film in each category! (Winners will be announced Sunday at the awards presentation!)

Filmmaker Cara Mumford making her pitch

What’s great about the Industry Series at imagineNATIVE is that it gives people access to people from major media corporations, and facilitates networking with such ease—as a potential film maker myself, I only saw opportunities today–it’s as though a world that was once inaccessible was broken wide open!

(For any other filmmakers out there, I really recommend checking out the pitch competitions in the future—the guests imagineNATIVE brings in from the industry offer GREAT advice for pitching ideas, and making connections and getting funding for your film! It’s a great resource—and free!)

Next I headed over to cinema 3 and saw part one of the International Spotlight on the Mapuche. Coming from a region in South America that covers multiple provinces in Chile, both films screened showcased the long history of trouble and trauma suffered by the Mapuche people, and their seemingly never-ending fight for their basic rights. The films were inspiring, especially in their use of amazing images of protest, particularly by women, young and old.

Director Danko Mariman answers questions at the post-screening Q&A

The director of the first film, Danko Mariman, was present at the screening, and in the Q & A afterward he mentioned that he learned how to film while making these movies. The bravery of making a difficult film like this with no prior experience and the brilliance of laying out a complicated story so that it is not only understandable, but told with great poetry, is an impressive feat!!

(If you’re interested in learning about the Mapuche nation—and trust me, it is definitely worth discovering—and catching a couple of great films, part two of the International Spotlight is tomorrow at 2!!)

Mariman accepts a banner painted with traditional Mapuche imagery

In the evening I walked down to 401 Richmond St. West and spent a while wandering around through the installations there. In suite 104, there is an exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin’s work, which I absolutely loved. She focuses a lot on nature with images of animals, as well as on images of womanhood, and motherhood. Her work is beautiful, and colourful, dealing at times with a history of pain (as in her gorgeous, but heartbreaking image of the residential schoolchildren below), but also one of family, and unity.

Alanis Obomsawin

(Obomsawin’s work will only be displayed until tomorrow at 5pm, so make sure you get out and see it!)

Nigit 'stil Norbert's "Pick Up Sticks"

Afterwards I went across the hall to the A Space Gallery when the Concealed Geographies Exhibition was having their Artist Talk and Reception. The installation is amazing–numerous artists displaying work that is thematically linked through ideas of space and distance, identity and disconnect and feelings of unity and disparity in regards to history and aboriginal culture.

Justine McGrath's "The Bride"

It was wonderful to hear the artists describe their work in their own words, and speak about their process and inspirations. The exhibition will be on display until the 27th, so make sure you get over there to check it out–it really is a unique opportunity to see something completely different!

Merritt Johnson's "With All Teeth Showing"

Well, that’s it for me tonight–see you all back at the festival tomorrow! Can’t wait!

Jesse Gouchey, photo by Sean Dennie

Like It Was Yesterday was a phrase we heard more than once when families talked about how they feel about losing a loved one without justice or answers. “Even though she’s been gone 10 years, it feels like it was yesterday.”

We employed the same animated spray-painting technique as our previous film “Spirit of the Bluebird.” Our plan was to highlight 3 to 4 real life cases, and paint portrait murals of missing or murdered women in their home communities.  Based on photographs supplied by the families, we photographed the portrait being painted in time-lapse.  Following the documentary style of “Spirit of the Bluebird”, we interviewed family members and brought their stories into the work with text.

Martha Gaucher mural, photo by Veronica Reeves

The topic of missing and murdered Aboriginal women for most native people is hard to talk about, because most of us know someone who’s been taken away with no sign of her coming back.  We anticipated that connecting with families who have been hurt by the loss of a loved one would be difficult.  Due to the way the system treats cases, the families and friends of missing women don’t necessarily trust strangers.

We heard about other artists who have made work without the permission or participation of the families, or people who have launched fundraising projects for the cause of missing and murdered women, but who put all the profits in their own pockets.  We did not want to wind up in league with those folks.  Treating the families with respect was paramount for us.

We spoke with many families to understand the issues around missing and murdered women: why it happens, how the media, police and the justice system treat cases.  We learned it can happen to anyone, and that no one ever expects it to happen to them.

Martha Gaucher mural, photo by Veronica Reeves

We wound up with 5 families coming forward to have their loved ones featured in our film.  The first was from my own family, Martha Gaucher, my aunt’s mother.  Martha died of an overdose, as did her 2 sisters, and though the same person benefited from all three life insurance policies, there was never an investigation at all.  This story was unknown to me before we made Like It Was Yesterday, and was not talked about in my family.  My aunt arranged a location in Red Deer for the mural, and expressed happiness at honouring her mother in this way. I’m glad to have my artwork bring something good to a tragic situation.

Jackie Crazy Bull, photo by Veronica Reeves

The next family to come forward was the family of Jackie Crazy Bull, who was a relative of Gloria Black Plume, the subject of “Spirit of the Bluebird”.  Jackie, a mother and auntie, was murdered in a random stabbing spree in Calgary in July 2007.  No one has ever been charged for her murder.  Jackie’s family did not have a location for a mural, but suggested we paint a banner for them instead, whcih could be used in vigils and walks.  We wound up painting the remaining 4 portraits as large banners to be sent to their loved ones.

Gladys Tolley, photo by Veronica Reeves

Bridget Tolley of Families of Sisters in Spirit in Ottawa came forward, agreeing to have us paint a portrait of her mother. Gladys Tolley was struck and killed by a Surete du Quebec cruiser while walking on her reservation Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg.  The police have refused to conduct an inquiry into the case, though they did not call tribal police, or the coroner, and had the cruiser removed from the scene for repairs.

Tiffany Morrison banner, photo by Veronica Reeves

Bridget also brought the families of Tiffany Morrison and Maisy Odjick to the project.  Maisy and her friend Shannon Alexander disappeared without a trace in 2008 from the Maniwaki Quebec area.  Their families are still looking for them.  Tiffany disappeared a few miles from her home on Kaknawake Quebec in 2006.  Though Tiffany’s remains were recently found, her killer has never been discovered.

With the help of photographer Veronica Reeves we painted the first mural in Red Deer, and the 4 banners in Calgary. I don’t have too much experience spray painting people, a task definitely requiring a very large painting surface. It took many attempts and re dos but I eventually got the portrait of Martha Gaucher looking nice.  I enjoyed the challenge of painting giant faces and appreciated the complexity of maintaining the proper proportions. It was strange to me, all of the women looked familiar, like I had met them before.

Maisy Odjick banner, photo by Veronica Reeves

We hope “Like It Was Yesterday” will bring awareness of the women as individuals, and will speak to the larger community about the issue.  Our hope is that by screening Like It Was Yesterday in the public venue of the TTC and Pattison screens, the women’s images may reawaken leads to help solve these cases, or bring them home.

The project was definitely a challenge, but it’s always rewarding to help others. We wish to thank ImagineNative for creating this inititative, and thank the TTC and Pattison for being brave enough to screen all four of the works to the general public.

Direction

Jesse Gouchey & Xstine Cook

Paintings and Animation

Jesse Gouchey

Cinematography

Veronica Reeves

Editing

Neil Evenson

Thanks to

Laurie Odjick, Melanie Morrison, Bridget Tolley, Eleanor Gouchey, Sandra Many Feathers, and their families.

Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes & Chantal Chagnon

Craig Benjamin, Danielle Boudreau, Lauire Ann Ellis, Kathleen Quinn, Lorraine Stone, Sean Dennie, Kaily Bird and family

Calgary Animated Objects Society

ImagineNATIVE Film and New Media Arts Festival

And so it begins!!

Hey everyone!! I’m new to this blog, and new to Toronto, and new to the imagineNATIVE film festival, and could not be more excited to be helping out! For the past month or so, I’ve been helping Sage out as an intern with various social media tasks, but during the festival I shall be sharing my thoughts and experiences as an imagineNATIVE first-timer…starting with the opening night festivities!

First on my agenda was heading to the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema for the world premiere of Alanis Obomsawin’s The People of the Kattawapiskak River.

I thought I’d get there super early to beat the crowds, but I definitely underestimated the enthusiasm of everyone else!! When I got there at 6, there was already a line around the block! Luckily I managed to snag a ticket and a seat in the balcony, though I did have a minor heart attack when I passed Obomsawin herself in the lobby, calmly chatting and posing for pictures. I’ve been a fan of her’s ever since I saw her incredible groundbreaking film Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, and I have to say seeing her in the flesh was more than slightly surreal!

As it turns out, it was lucky I got a seat at all, as the theatre was completely packed—so full, in fact, that there were people standing in the balcony for the duration of the screening. The crowd itself was infused with so much joy and excitement that the room seemed to vibrate with it.

Shamefully, this was my first experience at a cultural film festival like this (as a film student, I should know better!), and there was something so thrilling about a huge collective of like-minded people gathered together to celebrate their culture and heritage and who they are in this way. There was a palpable sense of pride, the crowd genuinely applauding and laughing and showing their appreciation and thanks to each person that spoke before the film began, and in one case, cheering uproariously for Executive Director Jason Ryle when he joked that his thick head of hair was attributed to his good aboriginal genes…

When Obomsawin came on stage to introduce her film, she was greeted with a well-deserved standing ovation from the entire house. She said, in her typically elegant way: “You make me feel like coming home.” Everyone went wild!

Before the main presentation there was a screening of Obomsawin’s short film Christmas at Moose Factory. It was charming and completely heartwarming, showcasing indigenous life through the lens of a child. Through the narration and hand drawn images of children within the aboriginal community, Obomsawin revealed to the audience a magical world of black bears and snow fights, family and friends, music and dance, Christmas day and presents for everyone. The film itself was a small piece of joy and made me smile the entire time.

The second film was decidedly different in tone. The People of the Kattawapiskak River is a documentary feature about the housing crisis in the Attiwapiskat First Nation. With her careful words and soothing narration, Obomsawin calmly unfolds the story for us from beginning to end, revealing a community struggling and fighting to survive. The story of the Attiwapiskat First Nation was national news, and should be well known throughout Canada, but Obomsawin steps inside the community itself, inside their homes and their lives, sits with them and their children and allows them to tell their side of the story. I think what I liked most about it, was how unrelenting Obomsawin was as a director, unwilling to let the story end, adding footage after the credits of recent legal proceedings surrounding the issue, and the changes in the community months later.

As a small town film student, I can never get over the access people in Toronto have to big filmmakers, and imagineNATIVE is no exception! After the screening there was a Q & A, and Obomsawin discussed her film, amd invited many of the people featured in the film to come on stage.

One of these was Charlie Angus, the NDP MP for Timmins and James Bay, who summed up my feelings on the film nicely, saying: “This film shows that justice is possible.” Though the film is difficult at times to watch because the subject matter can be heartbreaking, or frustrating, or infuriating, in the end I just felt that everything, the entire night, the film, the response was so moving—it’s something I’m so glad to have experienced. Very honestly, every Canadian needs see this movie!

Well, that’s it from me for now—I’ll be posting blogs throughout the festival, so you’ll be hearing from me again soon! In the meantime, I’ll be moving on from the Bloor Cinema to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, waiting for the next movie to start…

This latest documentary by the brilliant filmaker Alanis Obomsawin is not something I can delve deeply into right now, not at the after party where Bear Witness of a Tribe Called Red lays down the evenings sonic foundation.

This is not the place. There is community here, celebrating in this evenings launch of the festival. The power of our voices and stories being heard. Legendary artists, activists, leaders and visionary story-tellers.

I am no film buff. I am a mother, a woman – who has this burgeoning passion for film. With an even greater passion to hear our stories, to share them with my children. It inspires a hope for justice in me, for our people. I’m going to come back to this in a day or two, with a clear mind and refreshed heart. This is a film that every Canadian should see. I want to tell you why.

For now, I’ll close pictorial style, for all of you at home who couldn’t join us tonight…

Sold Out

Tom Perlmutter of The National Film Board of Canada

Community Members of Attawaspikat & Charlie Angus (NDP)

Charlie Angus...Our True Friend in Parliament (never thought I'd say those words...)

Embrace: Filmaker Alanis Obomsawin

All photos by Melissa McCauley

Tonight  unleashes 3 days of revolutionary story-telling and the vibe right now is electric. I’ll be back a bit later with some more pictures of the party and perhaps even a little viddy or two.

Who is Selena Burgess?

Fighting Chance

Thursday’s delights include the amazingly graphic-novel inspired and hard-hitting animated film Fighting Chance  as part of the Tweet This! Youth Shorts Program. The artistic treatment of this challenging piece is bound to resonate with our youth viewers.

Friday, I insist on taking a full heap of UNSETTLING SEX , the Vtape presented curatorial talk and screening by John G. Hampton, which challenges sexual norms and perceptions in a tantalizing collection of dark, devious and daring works by Festival favourite filmmakers Kent Monkman, Ariel Smith, James Diamond and Marnie Parrell.

Grandmother's House Away From Home

I also must insist on spending a lot of time savouring the flavour found in The Grandmother’s House Away from Home. Part of our first film-foray into China, this incredible story plays out like a dramatic feature (seriously, someone should option this!), rife with layers of rich characters. See the cultural and societal challenges when a son takes his familial history in his hands by selling his family Yimi (home) to Western museum curators, a first in Mosuo people’s history.

Side samplers of our commissioned works are sure to leave you happy. Check out the following:

•  Jules Koostachin’s pshychological Niipii (Water), part of our annual tantalizer, The Witching Hour Late-Night Shorts Program (Free!), and the result of the imagineNATIVE/Charles Street Video Residency work
• Tyler Hagan’s visual essay Estuary as part of our Water Journey screening and the result of the imagineNATIVE/LIFT Mentorship
• The world premiere and national presentation of THE STOLEN SISTERS DIGITIAL INITIATIVE playing on-screen Saturday Oct 20 at 10:30am and across TTC Monitors and Mall network displays of Pattison Onestop.

Take a picture of the displays and post to our Facebook page!

Finish Sunday off with a cool, refreshing, yet disturbing and multi-faceted feature - My Louisiana Love. The documentary follows Cajun Indigenous people as they fight against environmental changes and the challenges of their homeland.

Please enjoy this first plate in a festival of overindulgence. I hope you enjoy every mind-watering morcel the festival has to offer.

See you at iN!

Daniel

Volunteers like:

- Heather, who put in the most hours last year – almost 40! – And always with a smile on her face!
- Linz, who chauffeurs most of our catalogues each year!
- Mary Anne, who leads our Delegate Bag Packing Brigade every year (we just wouldn’t do it without her!)
- Elaine & Rod, our poster children for postering!
- And all the many, many students (and graduates) from the Centre for Indigenous Theatre!

- Not to mention the fantastic Zabrina, Jazmine, Janet, Shea, Glennella, Westwind, Daniel, Pah, Nebin, Cherish, Brooklyn, Paul Carlos, Harvey, Melissa, Andrea, Ann and Anne and all the other tireless, wonderful returning volunteers, as well as those who’ve moved on, some of whom have returned as Filmmakers (or as Staff – shout out to Jason, Jessica, Daniel & Isidra who all started as volunteers!)

I’m so looking forward to working with all these folks and all the new volunteers who’ve signed up this year. You’ll know them by their bold red t-shirts – be sure to say Miigwetch!

The growth of the festival has been matched by the growth of our Volunteer & Intern Program. The number of volunteers, and the hours that they give, have tripled in the past few years! This year more than 150 dedicated volunteers and six full-time interns will help make the festival possible! For the first time ever, I think we may have more volunteers then we have jobs for?! Not a bad predicament to be in!

To help support and thank these amazing volunteers – many of whom are students or underemployed – we look for donations from the community, both individuals and businesses. This year our volunteers will enjoy coconut water from Grace Foods and teas from Algonquin Tea Company (from my home town!) They will also have access to generous discounts on fabulous footwear from Manitobah Mukluks.

We are always looking for more donations, either cash or goods – snacks especially!

Any amount is graciously accepted, however the following are the costs of some benefits we hope to subsidize:

$5         TTC tokens for one Volunteer for one shift

$20       Snacks for one day of the festival

$36       TTC weekly pass for one Intern

$100     Honorarium for one full-time Intern

$200    Thank you gifts for volunteers

$300    Thank You Party post-festival for volunteers (and we’ll invite you!)

TO MAKE A DONATION:

Please visit www.canadahelps.org, keyword: imagineNATIVE and choose the Fund/Designation: “Volunteer Supporter”

Donations can also be mailed to:
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival,
401 Richmond St. West, Suite 349, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8

Please make cheques payable to:
Centre for Aboriginal Media

For all mailed donations, please be sure to include your complete name, mailing address, phone number and email address. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations over $25. If you wish to remain anonymous or donated on someone’s behalf, please let us know

For questions about volunteering, please contact Amy Rouillard at: volunteer@imagineNATIVE.org

Any questions about donating, please contact Jessica Fleming at: jfleming@imagineNATIVE.org.