May 06, 2021
Giiwewizh, 16 original short docs, shot on iPhone and directed by Canadian Screen Award nominated Sarain Fox, premieres June 8-12.
Ottawa, ON, May 6, 2021 - The International Indigenous Music Summit unveils a major feature for 2021 with Giiwewizh, an artful and compelling twist on the ‘virtual festival.’ Giiwewizh (pronounced Gi-weh-wish) original short docs, directed by accomplished storyteller/disrupter Sarain Fox, bring personal storytelling together with musical performances made in isolation to highlight the special connection between Indigenous artists and their home territories. Artists include Aysanabee, Beatrice Deer, Blue Moon Marquee, Classic Roots, G.R. Gritt, Hasaatuk, Jay Gilday, Julian Taylor, Kanen, Logan Staats, Mamarudegyal MHTC, Morgan Toney, Nimkii, Shawnee, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and The North Sound. Full details here.
“As an Indigenous storyteller, my life’s work is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous people and creators," says Fox. "The Indigenous Music Summit curated a showcase of incredible Indigenous musicians and asked me to collaborate with them in shared isolation. We asked each creator to make their own personal short film from their homelands. We based the series on the word Giiwewizh (meaning ‘to carry home’, in Ojibway Anishinaabe). Through the lens of iPhone 12, each artist documented how they experience the land and how that informs their creation. We received such a diverse reflection of Indigenous perspectives from across Turtle Island (at a unique and challenging moment in time). Without stages to perform for live audiences, iPhone empowered these artists to open up, to connect, and to let audiences into their worlds; braiding a sense of self and place into their musical expression.”
Produced by Jennifer Podemski’s Redcloud Studios and shot on iPhone 12 in a time of extreme limitations on travel, performance and togetherness, Giiwewizh bridges distances and art forms to encourage powerful reclamations of voice, culture and narratives. The theme of the 2021 Summit as a whole, Giiwewizh highlights the relationships between land, creativity and identity. “We all have been called to find stillness and return home over this last year and I want to consider what we carry home with us. What are our relationships to place, land, and community?” says Summit founder/organizer ShoShona Kish. “We knew we didn’t want to approach programming with a sense of limitation. We needed to see this moment as a unique opportunity to offer something beautiful; a celebration of creativity and resilience. These short films are a special invitation, to travel home with these incredible artists. These storytellers show us the world with new eyes.”
HOW TO WATCH
The 2021 International Indigenous Music Summit is a virtual event, produced in partnership with host venue National Arts Centre (Ottawa). Giiwewizh, a series of short films (and a major component of this year’s programming), will premiere each night of the Summit, June 8-12.
Options include sliding scale fees and packages for Indigenous and non-Indigenous delegates. Take part in the virtual feast with a home-delivered meal kit.
Register here.
ABOUT SARAIN FOX
Indigenous Storyteller, Host of RISE on VICELAND and Future History on APTN.
A storyteller at heart, Sarain combines various mediums to amplify the voices of her people in hopes of creating meaningful dialogue between Indigenous and settler communities. From working with major brands like Sephora and Canada Goose, to hosting Viceland’s RISE at the frontlines of Indigenous communities – Sarain has built her career at the cross-section of activism and media. In all of her work, Sarain keeps the focus on what we are fighting for – not against. In 2020, she founded Land Back Studios, a production company focused on authentic storytelling in new-media, television and film. The company’s first film, Inendi, is Sarain’s directorial debut and can be found on CBC Gem.
ABOUT REDCLOUD STUDIOS
Redcloud Studios Inc. is an independent production company owned and operated by award winning actor and producer, Jennifer Podemski. Redcloud Studios is dedicated to strengthening aboriginal visibility in the film and television industry, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Whether it's mainstream drama,provocative documentary, intensive training or live theatre, Redcloud Studios is committed to breaking down barriers and paving the way for the future generation of media makers.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC SUMMIT
The International Indigenous Music Summit is a unique annual gathering that amplifies Indigenous voices with a commitment to artists, knowledge keepers, and community builders, along with key invited allies and cultural innovators. Over five days Indigenous artists and music industry professionals will meet virtually to honour tradition and forge new paths, through curated musical showcases, panel discussions, workshops, and ceremony.
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