ImagineNATIVE returns to Toronto for its tenth edition on Wednesday, presenting film, new media and arts by or about indigenous people from all over the globe.

It opens with Reel Injun, Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s look at Hollywood’s depiction of native Americans. ‘It’s the only film I’ve seen that’s not just topical, it’s really celebrating where we’ve come [from],’ says programming manager Michelle Latimer.

She says this year the fest received close to 400 submissions, a third of which were chosen. ‘I think that short-form and long-form docs are probably the things we see most of. I have a theory that documentaries are a more accessible genre for people who come from storytelling backgrounds,’ she says.

Among docs, Latimer recommends the world premiere of Six Miles Deep, from first-timer Sara Roque and the National Film Board. ‘It’s dealing with the role of clan mothers and the traditional matriarchal role in Mohawk communities, and it’s looking specifically at the Caledonia land claim dispute’ in southern Ontario, she says.

The dispute is seen through the unique viewpoint of the clan mothers. ‘The film echoes feminist movies… from the NFB in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and I haven’t seen a voice of a filmmaker quite like this,’ says Latimer. ‘This is really looking at the generations of women — from the grandmothers right down to the young daughters — who have the warrior spirit.’

Director Alan Black’s Jackpot, which Latimer produced, will also screen at the festival. It’s about many different communities uniting in a Toronto bingo hall. Latimer says the film is not necessarily a native story, but is more of a contemporary tale — a theme found throughout the festival.

‘There are a lot of stories from First Nations filmmakers and they’re not necessarily echoing First Nations issues, and I think that’s really exciting,’ says Latimer. ‘We’re saying, ‘Yes I’m First Nations and I will tell something from my point of view, but my point of view encompasses so many other things.’ It doesn’t have to just be about grandmother moon or a smudge ceremony.’

The festival runs from Oct. 14-18.

From Realscreen Online