FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto, ON, 29 August, 2024 – The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) proudly highlights the increasing representation of Indigenous films at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This year’s selection features an impressive array of eight feature films, five short films, and two series with Indigenous directors from Canada and around the world. These films underscore the undeniable talent and creativity emerging from Indigenous communities globally.
“The Indigenous Screen Office is proud to have supported seven Canadian Indigenous-led titles at TIFF,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO. “Indigenous storytellers have a wealth of stories to share with the world, and we are thrilled to welcome both Canadian and international Indigenous filmmakers to this year’s festival.”
“The Indigenous-made films in Canada continue to break boundaries in its storytelling,” said Kelly Boutsalis, TIFF’s International Programmer (Canada). “This year’s roster includes the biggest and brightest talents, including Kaniehtiio Horn’s directorial debut and acclaimed journalist Tanya Talaga’s series premiere. Also notable is the amount of collaboration, with co-directors on three of the Canadian projects.”
Among the feature-length films, ABERDEEN is co-directed by Ryan Cooper and Eva Thomas, starring Gail Maurice as the title character who is battling generational trauma and seeking a better life for her grandchildren; SEEDS is a campy cat-and-mouse chase over seed sovereignty; while series THE KNOWING, follows award-winning journalist Tanya Talaga in her search for a family matriarch.
Highlights from the Canadian short cuts selection includes the world premieres of award-winning filmmaker and animator Amanda Strong’s, INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN, adapted from a story by Richard Van Camp about an Indigenous youth’s battle with an ancient evil and WELIMA’Q, directed by multidisciplinary writer and artist shalan joudry.
Titles from Indigenous filmmakers from Canada include:
- ABERDEEN dir. Ryan Cooper, Eva Thomas – DISCOVERY
- SEEDS dir. Kaniehtiio Horn – DISCOVERY
- SO SURREAL: BEHIND THE MASKS dir. Neil Diamond, Joanne Robertson – DOC
- THE KNOWING dir. Courtney Montour, Tanya Talaga – PRIMETIME
- ANOTC OTA ICKWAPARIN AKOSIIN dir. Catherine Boivin – SHORT CUTS
- INKWO: FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN dir. Amanda Strong – SHORT CUTS
- WELIMA’Q dir. shalan joudry – SHORT CUTS
- A BLACK SCREEN TOO dir. Rhayne Vermette – SHORT CUTS
In addition to the Canadian selection, TIFF again welcomes a stellar line-up of Indigenous-made titles from around the world. “TIFF remains committed to supporting international Indigenous filmmakers across the Festival with this year’s line-up,” said Jason Ryle, TIFF’s International Programmer, Global Indigenous Cinema (non-Canadian). “I’m very happy to be a part of bringing another impressive roster of highly-anticipated new titles to TIFF’s audiences. These diverse works demonstrate the vitality of the global Indigenous screen sector and the immense talents bringing it forward.”
International highlights this year include the wold premiere of REZ BALL, the third feature by Sydney Freeland, based on a true and inspirational story of a Navajo boys basketball team; THE MOUNTAIN (executive produced by Taika Waititi), an endearing family film and the directorial debut of Rachel House, one of the globe’s most recognizable Indigenous actors; and THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, a wonderfully raw, hilarious, and unorthodox new series by Dylan River starring up-and-coming First Nations actor Sherry-Lee Watson.
International Indigenous titles include:
- MY FATHERS’ DAUGHTER dir. Egil Pedersen, Sápmi-Norway – DISCOVERY
- THOU SHALT NOT STEAL dir. Dylan River, Australia – PRIMETIME
- THE MOUNTAIN dir. Rachel House, New Zealand – CENTREPIECE
- KA WHAWHAI TONU dir. Michael Jonathan, New Zealand – CENTREPIECE
- REZ BALL dir. Sydney Freeland, USA – SPECIAL PRESENTATION
- THE BEGUILING, dir. ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby, USA – SHORT CUTS
- VOX HUMANA, dir. Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, Philippines, USA, Singapore – SHORT CUTS
In addition, TIFF in collaboration with ISO will host a panel discussion on September 6, exploring new models for co-productions from an Indigenous perspective. The panel will feature distinguished speakers, including Anne Lajla Utsi, CEO of the International Sámi Film Institute; Mitch Stanley, Wiradjuri producer; and Kerry Swanson, CEO of the ISO.
For complete details on each film, including screening dates and times, please visit tiff.net.
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 5–15, 2024.
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For more information please contact:
Jean-Francois D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications and Francophone Initiatives
jfobomsawin@iso-bea.ca
About the Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.