Liidlii Kue First Nation hosted its fifth annual film festival last week, and organizer Jonathan Antoine believes the event continues to be impactful and enjoyable for all those who attend.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important to tell stories from an Indigenous perspective, and this film festival does that,SA国际影视传媒� he said midway through the festival. SA国际影视传媒淚t showcases Indigenous directors, producers, actors, and their talent, and I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 really nice to just get out of the house and go to the film festival and enjoy the popcorn and pop.SA国际影视传媒�
The event ran from Feb. 12-16 on the second floor of the Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN) office building. Each night of the film festival cost $10 to attend.
The first night featured nine short films about paddling, which were shown in collaboration with the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. The second night consisted of a screening of AitamaakoSA国际影视传媒橳amisskapi Natosi: Before The Sun, in partnership with the Yellowknife Film Festival. Night three was the festivalSA国际影视传媒檚 short film showcase, which included eight projects, and led into a screening of the documentary WaaPaKe on Feb. 15. The event concluded on Feb. 16, with red carpet festivities that included Dene drumming, plenty of good food, and screenings of three films, including one directed by Antoine himself.
Titled Dene on the Land, it details his father Gerald AntoineSA国际影视传媒檚 time spent out on the land. The younger Antoine called it SA国际影视传媒渁 very personal film,SA国际影视传媒� and said that screening it in his hometown was a source of great satisfaction and excitement.
AntoineSA国际影视传媒檚 film was one of seven on the schedule that were put together by people from the NWT. He predicts that people from the territory will soon start making a greater mark in the wider film industry.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 hidden talent out there thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be brought to the forefront, and we just havenSA国际影视传媒檛 seen it yet,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 keeping an ear out for the next big Indigenous directors and producers.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 going to happen really soon and ISA国际影视传媒檓 here to showcase it.SA国际影视传媒�
He also suspects that the NWT could eventually become a popular mainstream filming location due to the range of natural landscapes it offers.
SA国际影视传媒淓verybody is going to start to realize the Northwest Territories is a very beautiful shooting location,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
SA国际影视传媒淭he Northwest Territories has vast landscapes that could portray a lot of areas, like how British Columbia has, and Alberta too.SA国际影视传媒�
Antoine will soon begin planning for the 2025 event, and has no plans to slow down beyond that.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 going to keep on doing it for as long as I can,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
However, he hopes that LKFN or someone in Fort Simpson will someday open a movie theatre, which would make his festival an even greater success.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat would be a dream,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
