Get ready for an exciting cinematic experience as the second year of the STOODIS Indigenous Film Festival returns to Nelson!
On Sept. 27-30, STOODIS will showcase Indigenous films from across Turtle Island and around the world, offering fresh perspectives and powerful stories rooted in Indigenous narratives. This year, due to renovations at The Civic Theatre, the festival moves to several exciting new venues: the Shoebox Theatre, the Railtown Drive-In, and the stunning Capitol Theatre, thanks to their generous presenting sponsorship.
The festival kicks off Friday morning, Sept. 27, with a special introduction and welcome by festival co-ordinator Lesley Garlow, followed by performances from Lance Ledger and the Wild Rose Dance Group. Ledger, a talented multi-instrumentalist and performer from the Woodland Cree First Nation, blends traditional and contemporary music, creating captivating performances that resonate with audiences of all ages. The Wild Rose Dance Group will present the Jingle Dress and Grass dance. These performances will be followed by For the Grandbabies, a family-friendly set of short films from the ImagineNative Film Festival that invites viewers to reconnect with the earth, ancestors, and future generations.
Following these opening performances, the festival will feature an impressive lineup of films. The Sundance Institute Indigenous Film Tour showcases short films from up-and-coming Indigenous filmmakers. Notable films include Yintah, a powerful documentary chronicling the Wet'suwet'en people's fight to protect their lands, and Singing Back the Buffalo, a moving exploration of the cultural and environmental significance of the buffalo's return to North America. Both films highlight the resilience of Indigenous communities and their efforts to preserve their heritage.
Another highlight is Les Filles du Roi, a historical drama set in 17th-century New France (Turtle Island), weaving together the journeys of Mohawk, French and English characters in a story that speaks to Canada's colonial history.
For fans of animation, Four Souls of Coyote promises to be an epic adventure. Based on a Native American creation myth, this Hungarian film is the country’s submission for the 2024 Oscars. Its timely message about environmental harmony is interwoven with traditional storytelling, making it a must-see for all ages.
For those who love genre filmmaking, The Beehive, Finality of Dusk and Hey, Viktor! offer exciting interpretations through an Indigenous lens. The Beehive explores an alien invasion on a farm, while Finality of Dusk is set in a dystopian future, where environmental devastation has driven humanity to the brink of extinction. Hey, Viktor! offers a hilarious example of mockumentary referencing one of the classics of Indigenous filmmaking, Smoke Signals.
The festival culminates on Monday, Sept. 30, with a special National Day of Truth and Reconciliation presentation featuring Csetkwe and Ma’iingan Miikana, two artists blending spoken word, music, and traditional knowledge in a powerful exploration of identity, history, contemporary existence and healing. Their performances will be complemented by Super 8 films created by Indigenous youth, offering a fresh perspective on the future of Indigenous filmmaking.
In addition to the exciting film lineup, the STOODIS Indigenous Film Festival is committed to making its programming accessible to everyone. With its Barrier-Free Ticketing initiative, the festival invites all attendees to enjoy films at any price they can afford — even if that means attending for free. "Barrier-Free Ticketing" means that as long as seats are available, you can choose what to pay, whether it’s a dollar, a smile, or a high five! For those who can, purchasing a ticket or festival pass helps support the ongoing work of bringing these important films to Nelson.
This year’s STOODIS Indigenous Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of culture, storytelling, and community. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this vibrant event. Tickets and passes are available now in advance at civictheatre.ca/whats-on, or at the door. Choose your price and join us for a weekend of inspiring films and performances!
Eleanor Stacey is executive director of The Civic Theatre Society. Large Popcorn, Extra Butter appears monthly.
