INDIANER & INUIT: The 3rd North American Native Film Festival 2009 in Europe

Organisation of the Film Festivals
Supported by the German UNESCO commission and the American Indian Film Institute and Festival in San Francisco, INDIANER INUIT shall take place from 18–21 March 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany. It is the first and only festival of its kind in Europe now being held for the third time; the first festivals were held in 2004 and 2007.

INDIANER INUIT – The North American Native Film Festival kicks off in Stuttgart thanks to the cooperation of the municipal cinema, Linden Museum (state museum for ethnology) and the James Byrnes Institute. It then moves to Leipzig thanks to collaborations with the Leipzig municipal cinema, and the Grassi museum (museum for ethnology).

Artistic Direction is in the hands of Media Arts Cultural Event Manager, Gunter Lange.

Myth and Reality: What is a typical day in the life of an American Indian or Inuit like? What has happened to their traditions? What can they expect from the future?

Most of the so-called “Indian films” are built around clichés and prejudices against Native Americans and First Nations. The true story is a different one: history bears tale of numerous injustices, which even today are still suppressed and replaced by romantic conceptions. The Indian and Inuit festival clears the board and shows films of the young generation of Native Americans and First Nations that illustrate the conflict they experience between tradition and global modern life seen from a personal viewpoint.

Through these films, they discuss topics such as social, economic and cultural life/survival in Indian reserves and settlements, the consequences when Aboriginal children are brutally re-educated, the widely-spread problem of alcoholism, but also the success of activities that promote preserving their cultural identity and political confidence. Topics such as present day life, history and even mythology are portrayed sensitively, interwoven, and with a profound sense of humour to reveal a kaleidoscope of the reality the North American Natives experience.

Educational Mission
The concept behind this festival, which is unique to Europe, is a channel providing international understanding and cultural dialogue. As well as cinema, it offers the audience the opportunity to personally meet and discuss with the Aboriginal film producers. Meetings with young people and teachers are an integral part of the festival. In films, discussions and conversations, new and exciting and unexpected themes about the culture of the North American Natives can be discovered – leaving the one-dimensional clichés about Indians far behind.

Aboriginal Women in the Film Business – Tantoo Cardinal Retrospective
Indianer & Inuit – The North American Native Film Festival 2007 is dedicated to showing many films that have been made by or star Aboriginal women in Canada and the US in order to honour and support their work.

Within the framework of the Tantoo Cardinal Retrospective, for example, films are presented in which the Canadian actress, Tantoo Cardinal, largely plays the leading role. Tantoo Cardinal (First Nation), is one of the most well-known and important Aboriginal actresses in North America and at the same time a role model for the majority of talented young people growing up and being educated in “Indian Country”.

As a mother of three children, she has continued to work successfully in the film business for over three decades and has received international acclaim and awards for her artistic portrayals in films such as “Dances With Wolves”, “Black Robe”, “Loyalties”, “Little Tree” etc..

Success of the Film Festival
Thanks to the successful cooperation between the American Indian Film Institute and Festival in San Francisco, the Linden-Museum, municipal cinema (KOKI), the James Byrnes Institute (all from Stuttgart) and the German UNESCO commission as well as a large number of sponsors, the first Indianer Inuit: The North American Native Film Festival in November 2004 received great attention from the media and the public.

The festival lives from the teamwork of competent partners, from interaction with Aboriginal people and the resulting positive atmosphere that makes intercultural dialogue possible.

I would be very happy - if I have been able to spark an interest for our concept - to send you further information on INDIANER INUIT – The North American Native Film Festival 2007. A review of the film festival in 2004 can be found at: Indianer Inuit: The North American Native Film Festival 2004

Films as DVD or VHS (PAL and NTSC) can be sent to us at the following address:

Media Arts Cultural Events
Gunter Lange
Goethestrasse 35
D-78467 Konstanz
German

Photos:
Michael Smith (AIFI President) and John Trudell (Author, Speaker, Musician, Actor)
Stacy Da Silva and Alex Rice (First Nation Actresses)
Tantoo Cardinal (First Nation Actress)