The virtual reality experience This Is Not a Ceremony, created by Niitsitapi writer and director Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin Van Loon), is now touring communities and festivals across Canada, giving more people the opportunity to experience this powerful and cinematic Indigenous VR work.
A 21-minute journey available in English and French as well as Blackfoot with English subtitles, This Is Not a Ceremony allows audiences to confront some of the darker sides of living life in Canada while Indigenous, guided with care and kindness by tricksters, matriarchs and buffalo.
It's already had its US premieres at the Sundance and Tribeca festivals and was recently presented in the Piikani First Nation in Alberta, where it was partly shot.
Now audiences in these cities can take part in This Is Not a Ceremony:
Calgary:
Calgary International Film Festival
September 30 through October 1
Interactive Digital Media Hub - Eau Claire Centre Court, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Free and open to the public
Vancouver:
Signals: Presented by the Vancouver International Film Festival + DigiBC
October 1 and 2
Centre for Digital Media, 577 Great Northern Way
Free and open to the public
Montreal:
Panorama 360 program, FNC Explore, Festival du nouveau cinéma
October 5 through 16
PHI Centre, 315 Saint-Paul Street West
Toronto:
iNdigital Space, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
October 18 through 23
TIFF Bell Lightbox Gallery, 350 King Street West
Free and open to the public
Ahnahktsipiitaa will be in attendance to present a keynote session, delivered live on Wednesday, October 19, at 11:40 a.m.
About This Is Not a Ceremony
For info on events, visit: events.nfb.ca/events/tags/this-is-not-a-ceremony
