Left to Right: Cody Lightning, Carol Kunnuk, Lucy Tulugarjuk, Kim O’Bomsawin, Stevie Salas, James Burns, Eva Thomas, Catherine Boivin, and Alisi Telengut.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, ON, 5 September, 2023 – The Indigenous Screen Office celebrates the groundbreaking line-up of Indigenous films at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). With 14 features and three shorts created by Canadian and international Indigenous directors, this year’s TIFF selection represents its largest and most diverse slate of Indigenous titles to date.

“Canada continues to be a leader in the production and presentation of Indigenous-made films,” said Kelly Boutsalis, TIFF’s International Programmer (Canada). “We are beyond honoured to present so many incredible storytellers at this year’s festival, who have captured vital truths about their communities, from Nunavut to Quebec and beyond. They have the ability to weave these stories across genres, sometimes blurring the lines between fact and fiction, peppering in humour wherever possible.”

Highlights from the Canadian selection includes the world premieres of Kim O’Bomsawin’s TELLING OUR STORY, a documentary series narrated by Kaniehtiio Horn, that gives voice to the many different Indigenous communities within Quebec; TAUTUKTAVUK, co-directed by Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk; and the Canadian premiere of the uproarious mockumentary HEY, VIKTOR! from TIFF Rising Star director and actor Cody Lightning, which focuses on making a sequel to SMOKE SIGNALS.

“The Indigenous Screen Office is proud to once again have supported a number of Canadian Indigenous works at TIFF,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO. “The expansive line-up of Indigenous content at TIFF is a testament to the diverse talents of Indigenous storytellers and our growing sector.”

Titles from Indigenous filmmakers from Canada include:

  • HEY, VIKTOR! dir. Cody Lightning – CENTREPIECE
  • TAUTUKTAVUK dir. Carol Kunnuk, Lucy Tulugarjuk – DISCOVERY
  • BOIL ALERT dir. Stevie Salas, James Burns – DOC
  • TELLING OUR STORY dir. Kim O’Bomsawin – PRIMETIME
  • 6 MINUTES PER KILOMETER dir. Catherine Boivin – SHORT CUTS
  • REDLIGHTS dir. Eva Thomas – SHORT CUTS
  • BAIGAL NUUR / LAKE BAIGAL dir. Alisi Telengut – SHORT CUTS

In addition, TIFF is presenting a stellar line-up of titles from Indigenous filmmakers from around the world. “With a broad spectrum of genres, formats and stories, this year’s Indigenous film lineup is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic world of Indigenous cinema,” said Jason Ryle, TIFF’s International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema. “We are incredibly excited to present these captivating and entertaining films, made by some of our most famous and celebrated screen storytellers along with fantastically talented new creators. Seeing the diversity of these films is truly inspiring and our audiences are in for cinematic treat after cinematic treat.”

Highlights from the international selection include the world premieres of Academy Award-winning writer-director Taika Waititi’s NEXT GOAL WINS, THE CONVERT directed and co-written by Lee Tamahori (who directed the iconic ONCE WERE WARRIORS), and the Sámi love story THE TUNDRA WITHIN ME, the first feature by writer-director Sara Margrethe Oskal, one of three Sámi features at #TIFF23.

International Indigenous titles include:

  • NEXT GOAL WINS dir. Taika Waititi – GALA
  • THE NEW BOY dir. Warwick Thornton – GALA
  • THE CONVERT dir. Lee Tamahori – SPECIAL PRESENTATION
  • UPROAR dir. Hamish Bennett, Paul Middleditch – SPECIAL PRESENTATION
  • HOMECOMING dir. Suvi West, Anssi Kömi – TIFF DOCS
  • VALENTINA OR THE SERENITY dir. Ángeles Cruz – DISCOVERY
  • THE TUNDRA WITHIN ME dir. Sara Margrethe Oskal – DISCOVERY
  • FRYBREAD FACE AND ME dir. Billy Luthor – DISCOVERY
  • LIMBO dir. Ivan Sen – CENTREPIECE
  • JE’VIDA dir. Katja Gauriloff – CENTREPIECE

For complete details on each film, including screening dates and times, please visit tiff.net.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023. Tickets are on sale now at tiff.net.

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For more information please contact:
Jean-Francois D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Marketing & Communications
jfobomsawin@iso-bea.ca
(438) 826-6291

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.