NFB at RIDM 2024: Kim O’Bomsawin’s Ninan Auassat: We, the Children to Close the Festival; Wilfred Buck by Lisa Jackson Screening in Competition
Montreal, October 31, 2024 – The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) continues to showcase powerful Indigenous stories at the 20th edition of the RIDM (Montreal International Documentary Festival), running from November 9 to 20.
Kim O’Bomsawin’s latest documentary, Ninan Auassat: We, the Children (NFB – Quebec and Labrador Studio), has been chosen to close the festival on November 20. The film, which recently won the prestigious Amplify Voices Award at Hot Docs 2023, delves into the history of the Sixties Scoop, a dark chapter in Canadian history that saw thousands of Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families and communities and placed in non-Indigenous homes.
Another NFB documentary, Wilfred Buck by Lisa Jackson (NFB – North West Studio), will be screening in the festival’s Canadian Feature Competition. This poignant film profiles the legendary Gwich’in elder and environmental activist who fought tirelessly to protect the Porcupine caribou herd and the Arctic wilderness he called home.
Ninan Auassat: We, the Children
Director Kim O’Bomsawin, herself a Sixties Scoop survivor, weaves together personal stories, archival footage, and in-depth interviews to create a powerful and moving account of the Sixties Scoop. The film shines a light on the devastating impact this policy had on Indigenous families and communities, and it calls for reconciliation and healing.
“I am honoured that my film has been chosen to close RIDM 2024,” said O’Bomsawin. “The Sixties Scoop is a story that needs to be told, and I hope that this film will help to raise awareness about this dark chapter in Canadian history and its ongoing legacy.”
Wilfred Buck
Lisa Jackson’s Wilfred Buck paints an intimate portrait of a remarkable man who dedicated his life to protecting the land and the people he loved. Buck was a tireless advocate for the Porcupine caribou herd, which is essential to the survival of the Gwich’in people. He also played a key role in the creation of Vuntut National Park, Canada’s first national park established through an Indigenous land claim agreement.
“Wilfred Buck was a true visionary and a courageous leader,” said Jackson. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to share his story with audiences at RIDM. His legacy is a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment and the rights of Indigenous peoples.”
The NFB is proud to support these two important films and to be part of RIDM 2024. These documentaries are powerful examples of the NFB’s commitment to telling Indigenous stories and amplifying diverse voices.
About the NFB
The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories, and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is committed to reflecting diverse Canadian identities on screen, fostering the delivery of Canadian stories to audiences around the world, and creating opportunities for public dialogue. NFB productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars, 19 Webbys, 25 Canadian Screen Awards, and 100 Genies. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.
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