When cinema builds bridges - Wapikoni Mobile's First International Symposium

MONTREAL, July 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - From July 30 to August 2, 2014, Wapikoni Mobile will hold its very first international symposium: "When cinema builds bridges", within the framework of Montreal First People's Festival. This event targets the creation of the Réseau International de Création Audiovisuelle Autochtone (RICAA), the International Network for Aboriginal Audiovisual Creation, that will further a long-term exchange, the development of co-creations between different Aboriginal partners, and a broader distribution of their works.

The programming of this symposium – a major event organised by Wapikoni Mobile – includes film screenings, interviews with filmmakers, conferences, workshops and celebrations. Two round tables invite filmmakers from here and abroad to discuss the issues of Aboriginal cinema. The first round table entitled, "Aboriginal cinema, an accurate or distorted mirror?" will allow Robert Morin (3 Indians Tales), Benoît Pilon (The Necessities of Life), Michel Poulette (Maïna), Jeff Barnaby (Rhymes for Young Ghouls) and Neil Diamond (Reel Injun) among others, to share their filming experiences. The second round table, "How to create together? or the dream of an International Network for Aboriginal Audiovisual Creation" will allow Aboriginal personalities in the audiovisual sector such as Jeannette Paillan of CLACPI (Chile), Ivan Sanjines of CEFREC (Bolivia), Odd Levi of Nuoraj TV (Norway), as well as Jason Ryle of the ImagineNative Films and Media Arts Festival (Canada), to find ways to create together.

"With this symposium, Wapikoni enters a new stage. The works of filmmakers build bridges between communities here and around the world. By joining forces and sharing imagination, Aboriginals' voices will only be stronger," said Manon Barbeau, Founder and Director General of Wapikoni.

The symposium is open to a wide public audience interested in film and First Nations issues.

This event is made possible with the support and partnership of Land InSights, Oxfam-Québec, the Interdisciplinary Research Group on the Americas (GIRA), Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) the Conseil des Arts de Montréal and INIS.

About us
Wapikoni Mobile is a travelling studio dedicated to audiovisual and musical training and creation for First Nations youth. Since 2004, more than 3,000 participants of the Wapikoni Mobile have worked to direct 700 short films translated into several languages and that have received 80 prizes and awards in prestigious national and international festivals.

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/07/09/20140709_C3915_PDF_EN_4188.pdf

SOURCE: Wapikoni mobile

For further information: Virginie Michel | 514 276-9274, ext. 229 | cell : 514 922-2315 | [e-mail]