slated for May 21-26, the 5th annual Dreamspeakers Festival in Edmonton is expecting its biggest numbers ever, thanks, in part, to a concerted effort to bring out youth. Two hundred and fifty attendees are expected to take part in the aboriginal arts celebration, highlighted this year by the first Aboriginal Film Awards on May 24. Hosted by Tom Jackson, the show will feature Tina Keeper and Nathaniel Arcand among others.

This year the symposium, which includes a retrospective of the work of Graham Greene, has been structured to include beginner levels (aimed primarily at young attendees) and advanced levels. While beginners are offered tips on doc production and acting workshops from the likes of Jimmy Herman (North of 60) and Adam Beach (Dance Me Outside), the advanced workshops range from writing to pitching to international coproductions.

Sharon Shirt, executive director of the Dreamspeakers Festival Society, says the annual session on international coproduction is ‘a discussion group mostly. People toss ideas around and network with producers.’

The festival also features two days of traditional and contemporary performance, arts and crafts.