imagineNATIVE at the DriveInTO

Press Release

imagineNATIVE is proud to partner with the City of Toronto for DriveInTO to bring a night of FREE programming at Ontario Place!

On Tuesday, August 18, at 8:45 pm, imagineNATIVE will be screening Zoe Hopkins’ family adventure KAYAK TO KLEMTU. Winner of the iN 2017 Air Canada Audience Choice Award, this film speaks to our hearts and minds through the eyes of our youth about the importance of protecting our land.

Driven by her determination, 14-year-old Ella (Ta’Kaiya Blaney) embarks on a kayak journey through the Inside Passage, Great Bear Rainforest in honour of her late uncle Dave Ellis and protests a proposed pipeline through her home community. Ella has grit and perseverance to handle any challenge that comes her way, even her quirky family. Along for the journey are her aunt, cousin, and her cranky Uncle Don (Lorne Cardinal). A race against the clock, they paddle to make the community gathering in time for Ella to give the speech of her life. KAYAK TO KLEMTU is sure to delight audiences and inspire the spirit of activism for all generations.

Zoe Hopkins (Mohawk/Heiltsuk) was born in Bella Bella, a Heiltsuk fishing village on the coast of B.C. and is now based in Six Nations, ON. Zoe is an alumna of the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program and imagineNATIVE’s Embargo Collectives. She is currently completing her second feature film.

The 21st imagineNATIVE Online Festival will take place from October 20 – 25, 2020 celebrating Indigenous storytelling in film, video, audio, digital and interactive art. The six-day online gathering will feature Indigenous artists from all over the world with an offering of live screenings, featured discussions, interactive engagements, live pitches, performances, virtual exhibitions, and other special events. To find out more subscribe to the iN newsletter and check out imagineNATIVE.org for more updates.

imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
October 20 – 25, 2020
Toronto, Ontario

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