Could you watch 175 films in 5 days?
If it were possible, Aretha Greatrix would find a way. The hardest part of her job as program director for the Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival is paring down the submission list of talented Indigenous filmmakers to make one awesome (and reasonable) double-digit lineup. One year they had a whopping 900 entries! This year, she’s excited that 82 of the
In the evening, to bridge the total 175 choices were from Canada, though we’ll have to watch for which ones make the cut.
“I want to highlight our local filmmakers. I want to give them that opportunity to see their film on the big screen, even if it’s their first film,” says Aretha. While at the time of our chat the 2023
schedule hadn’t been finalized, one of last year’s 36 selections was by local filmmaker Daniel Foreman, director of the Edmonton Short Film Festival.
This year marks the festival’s 30th anniversary, advancing its record as world’s longest-running
Indigenous film festival. “I feel like we’re going back to the original structure of the original festival,” says Aretha. “It not only highlights films, but it also takes into consideration everything we’ve learned from our past festivals.”
This consideration of the past also includes the Indigenous creators who came before them, which is why the opening event on April 19—also National Canadian Film Day—will take place in Beaver Hills House Park, home to the Walk of Honour (neka’new’ak). Thanks to Dreamspeakers, this permanent display pays tribute to trailblazing Indigenous artists in the film and television industries, including actor August Schellenberg, actress Tantoo Cardinal, producer/director Wil Campbell, and singer/songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.
In the evening, to bridge the theme of the day, is a showing of Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, a documentary about the artist known for her music, her activism, and her historical Oscar as the first Indigenous person ever to win. The rest of the festival will also include a red carpet gala with entertainment at the historic hangar in Fort Edmonton Park, film screenings at Metro Cinema, and industry networking events.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy Indigenous-led art, meet talented artists, and explore Indigenous cultures and perspectives from around the world. “It’s so important to have Indigenous people tell Indigenous stories,” says Aretha, a filmmaker herself. “Me doing art is Indigenous because I just am Indigenous. It’s my perspective. Our perspectives paint the pictures of how we create art.”
Check out Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival from April 19–23. Find more information on their website, dreamspeakers.org
