The first Oki Corral Film Festival celebrating Indigenous filmmakers kicked off in Calgary on Friday. A reception and awards ceremony was held Thursday night at The Confluence, formerly Fort Calgary. Over three days, the festival will showcase filmmakers from the Treaty 7 territory and Indigenous storytellers from across Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Those behind the festival say they are very proud it’s finally getting off the ground and excited for the future. “Where we want to go is actually be a part of the (local) film community in a much more in-depth take,” said Kevin Littlelight, one of the festival’s organizers. “With them, is moving forward with the bigger leagues,” he added. “like the Canadian International Film Festival (CIFF), and the Calgary Underground Film Festival.” Each festival evening will include screenings and panel discussions in hopes of fostering meaningful dialogue between filmmakers. Friday night screenings include Littlelight’s The Curse of the Snagging Blanket and Damian Eagle Bear’s Skoden. It’s all happening this weekend at the Globe Cinema. For more information, go here.
