First Peoples, First Screens (FPFS) showcases contemporary Indigenous political filmmaking* from across Canada, including documentary, animation, experimental and genre fiction of varying lengths. We are thrilled to circulate four separate clusters of thematically grouped works throughout the Canadian part of the Cinema Politica network, and to provide a platform to discuss Indigenous art, culture, politics, history and struggle at each screening location.
FPFS launched in February 2016 and was curated by Indigenous and non-Indigenous programmers who selected 20+ works from over 150 submissions. We are grateful to our cultural advisors—Tracey Deer, Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Alanis Obomsawin—who oversaw the process of selection and who continue to inspire us with their own artistic works. We are also thankful to Karrmen Crey, who penned the accompanying introductory essay for this program. You can read that text below or click here to download the PDF version. To peruse our beautifully-designed FPFS flyer, you can download the PDF here.
* With the exception of Nutak—Memories of a Resettlement, which was commissioned by an Indigenous community
Thematic clusters:
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A journey to the Lake St. Martin First Nation that explores the political spider web that has entangled this community and prevents them from going home.
This experimental film-made debut tells the story of one woman’s search for family.
This project re-orients the subjectivity of indigenous lived experience & fantasy through movie-making in a virtual environment.
A man travels his community by bike, along the memories and disturbing events that have marked its history.
Two worlds collide in an unnerving musical number exploring the dark side of justice and the power of authority.
A man whom the residential schools did not succeed in destroying has a long memory. And he never minces his words.
Documentary short examining the racial disparity of homelessness in Edmonton Alberta Canada.
A call for action within Indigenous communities.
In 1948, a group of Mushua Innus (Labrador) were resettled far from their ancestral land. The community has kept the memory of this exodus.
Everything that happens to the Earth befalls the son of the Earth.
A journey by canoe into the city creates a dynamic connection between natural and urban spaces and celebrates the fierce resourcefulness of Indigenous people.
In tracing the long and sinuous road that leads to Manawan, Atikamekw travellers speak out about meeting the challenges of improving their life.
KAHA:WI is a performance film that perpetuates Iroquoian cultural knowledge, traditional æsthetics and expression in a contemporary form.
Zacharias Kunuk and Neil Diamond team up to research the events and historical impacts of an 18th century war between Inuit and Cree in Northern Québec.
The duo of Kelsey and Cory Shanke Golder presents a creation that reflects the reality of urban Aboriginal youth.
This documentary shows the events of March 9th, 2012, during the road block of the 138, and describes, with exactitude, the action and emotion of the moment.
