Fourth annual film festival begins Nov. 1

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The fourth Annual IMAGe Nation 2001 Aboriginal Film and Video Festival wants to stretch your imagination from Nov. 1 to 4 in Vancouver with a series of film screenings, panel discussion, and a comedy night and cabaret.

Presented by the Indigenous Media Arts Group (IMAG), the festival will build on the success of previous festivals in Prince George, Duncan, and Prince Rupert and entertain as well as educate the public about Aboriginal culture.

Screenings will take place at the Vancouver East Cinema as well as Video In Studios in downtown Vancouver. Featured films include the documentary Spirit Wind by Mi'kmaq filmmaker Cathy Martin. The film follows the journey of Mi'kmaq Chief Mi'sel Joe of Conne River in Newfoundland as he builds a birch bark canoe and paddles it across the Atlantic Cabot Strait to Nova Scotia for the annual Mi'kmaq gathering.

An emphasis is also placed on youth participation in visual arts. A separate youth and children's program will be featured along with First Nations student productions from local film schools.

A special opening ceremony will be held at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Nov. 1 to honor Stla' limx First Nation composer Russell Wallace, who has worked on numerous musical soundtracks for film, video, theatre, dance and radio productions.

Organizers say the festival is a stepping stone for more dialogue between First Nations artists and the community. By way of travelling festivals and media literacy workshops, IMAG hopes to advocate cultural autonomy and self-presentation.

Admission for all screenings and events is $7.00 or pay as you can. For more information, contact IMAG at 604-871-0173 or e-mail them at imag@vcn.bc.ca.