A three-day Indigenous Film Festival will get underway in Kamloops next Thursday.
The Kamloops Film Society is partnering with Tk’emlúps to launch it’s first inaugural Coyote Stories Indigenous Film Festival at the Paramount Theatre from September 1 -3.
Film Society Executive Director, Dûsan Magdolen, says there will be nine Canadian Indigenous feature films, chosen by an committee made up almost entirely of Indigenous members.
“The committee really wanted to have a mix of genres and content so that’s what we kind of aimed for, as well as what were the best films from the last year or two that are out there.”
The opening film will start at 6:30 pm on Friday night, which Magdolen explains is a documentary called Scattering of Man.
“It was actually submitted to the Kamloops Film Society, and I was like ‘hey, we are going to have this festival coming up, why don’t I run it by the committee, because the filmmaker is Indigenous and its about an Indigenous subject, and so that ended up being chosen as the opening film,” he explained.
“The filmmaker is going to be here to do a Q & A after which is really exciting.”
Additionally, Magdolen says they will also be highlighting some Indigenous short films, artists and events during the festival.
Other films include Slash Back, Beans, Blood Quantum, Wildhood, Returning Home, Portraits from a Fire, Scarborough, and Run Woman Run.
Magdolen adds the festival will conclude with a party on the Sunday night featuring Indigenous comedian Sasha Mark.
“Our closing party is going to have some comedians headlined by Sasha Mark out of Vancouver who is an Indigenous comedian, so we are really trying to highlight not just the film arts but their Indigenous artists as well.”
Magdolen hopes to use the success of the annual March Kamloops Film Festival to launch more micro festivals like this one.
In a statement on behalf of Tk’emlúps council, Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says she is excited the Kamloops Film Society has committed to showcasing Indigenous film talent and stories.
“This is an opportunity to bring people together from different backgrounds to share in these creative and amazing films. These are the kinds of actionable and enjoyable steps towards reconciliation that we want to
encourage.”
You can purchase single tickets or in packs of three or five, online.
Tickets for the closing party can be purchased in advance, or at the door.
