CANADA
INDIGENOUS

Keep the Fire Strong: Indigenous Shorts from Canada

By Jason Ryle

After decades of advocacy, Indigenous Cinema in Canada has taken its rightful place as an essential component of the country’s film sector. While there are still many barriers to break and more boundaries to push, the vast and diverse community of Indigenous screen storytellers across Canada is in a vibrant and historic position. Due to increased support and - importantly - Indigenous decision-makers greenlighting projects, recent years have seen a proliferation in content creation representing the full spectrum of cinematic genres. The sheer quantity of films and television series completed, in development, and in production made by Indigenous creatives since 2000 are exponentially higher than the entirety of the 20th century.

In selecting the films for this shorts programme, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit filmmakers was essential. As the three major Indigenous groups in Canada, their voices are essential to understanding and appreciating contemporary realities in the colonial nation state. This collection contains documentary and narrative works across genre and format; in addition to demonstrating the intrinsic diversity of Indigenous Cinema in Canada, these films also each speak strongly to its future. The title of this programme - Keep the Fire Strong - is a nod to both the ancient tradition of fireside storytelling, but also to an Anishinaabe prophecy that tells us we are in the age of the seventh fire, a time of Indigenous cultural awakening, reclamation, and strength.

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Jason Ryle is currently the International Programmer for Indigenous Cinema at the Toronto International Film Festival and a member of Lake St. Martin First Nation. 

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The Canada Focus is supported by the Embassy of Canada, Berlin.