Two Carleton alumnus are bringing the Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival to Ottawa for a second summer. The festival, to be held from July 24 to 28, provides an opportunity for indigenous people to tell their stories and showcase their rich and vibrant culture in the National Capital Region.
“We’re excited to showcase some of the best filmmakers and artists from Canada and around the world who have been bringing attention to important indigenous issues,” said Chris Wong, Asinabka co-director and Carleton alumni.
This year, the festival features a series of films that examine deep spiritual connections to the land and the important role that women play in Aboriginal communities. The festival also focuses on human rights and sovereignty issues raised by the Idle No More movement.
“This event promises to be an excellent venue for advancing works from emerging and established indigenous artists, both nationally and internationally,” said Howard Adler, Asinabka co-director and Carleton alumni. “The festival has the potential to help Canadians better understand the realities of indigenous people’s lives and experiences.”
A large proportion of the festival’s programming will be offered free of charge, including three film programs in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada and its Sakahàn: International Indigenous Art Exhibition. As a result, of the partnership, the festival will highlight indigenous films not only from Canada, but also from Brazil, Russia, Australia and the United States.
The festival will feature more than 10 film screenings, including a delicious pre-festival Dinner & A Movie night at Mitla Café, an outdoor opening and film screening on Victoria Island, film programs at the National Gallery of Canada and Club SAW and a gallery crawl, with curated art exhibitions at Gallery 101 and Fall Down Gallery.
Other festival highlights:
• A screening of the documentary The People of the Kattawapiskak River that exposes the housing crisis faced by 1,700 Cree in Northern Ontario. Director Alanis Obomsawin will be in attendance and participate in a Q & A session led by journalist Waubgeshig Rice.
• An opening night outdoor screening on Victoria Island of the critically acclaimed film The Lesser Blessed by director Anita Doron and award-winning writer and producer Richard Van Camp.
• A gallery crawl event, including the opening of the two-person art exhibition In-Digital at Gallery 101, with the artists Jason Baerg and Christian Chapman in attendance, followed by a Misko (Red) Party at Fall Down Gallery, with artwork by local and emerging artists and an evening of multi-disciplinary performances with spoken word, live painting, experimental video-art and live music.
• A Dinner & A Movie night at Mitla Café, July 18 and 19, serving authentic Oaxacan cuisine prepared by chef Ana and screening director Roberto Olivares Ruiz’s film Silvestre Pantaleón.
• A week-long video production program called Video Works, facilitated by Indigenous Culture & Media Innovations (ICMI) at the SAW Video Media Art Centre. Work produced during the program will be screened on the final night of the festival.
• A late-night film program at Club SAW titled Fabulous Fantasies, screening eight short films that are quirky, humourous, dystopian, futuristic, queer and fabulous.
For more information about the festival visit: http://asinabkafestival.org.
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For more information
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
(613) 520-2600, ext. 8718
(613) 240-3305
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
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Thursday, July 11, 2013 in Media Advisories
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