PRESENTATION PACKAGE
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ICFF YOUTH 2021
The Legend of Sarila Directed by Nancy Florence Savard
ICFF YOUTH 2021 INDIGENOUS FILM SERIES
INDIGENOUS FILM SERIES
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ABOUT ICFF YOUTH ICFF Youth is the annual film program of the ICFF which promotes film as an art form, using the platform of International Cinema while providing students, aged 8 to 18 years, with exposure to a variety of cultures and languages. The mission of ICFF Youth is two-fold… firstly, to use cinema as a tool to enrich students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, while learning about key elements of the art of filmmaking; and secondly, to give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of other different languages and cultures while enjoying the best of contemporary International Cinema.
ICFF Youth includes feature films and animated movies that cover a variety of languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin) and normally takes place every April in four cities across the GTA: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, North York and Toronto. Due to Covid-19, this year’s Youth Festival will be taking a digital approach by offering films online for students with a curated selection dedicated to the thematic of, ICFF Youth: Indigenous Film Series.
White Fang Directed by Alexandre Espigares
ABOUT ICFF YOUTH 2021: INDIGENOUS FILM SERIES ICFF Youth 2021 is pleased to present this allnew digital cinema program for TCDSB elementary and secondary school students from February 16th - March 12th, 2021. The program is offered free-of-charge to students thanks to a partnership with the TCDSB and to the funding from the Federal Government Ministry of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth through the Multiculturalism Program. ICFF Youth will feature three international films that focus on the study of Indigenous Cultures, while also having a strong emphasis on Social Studies, French Language and Italian Language Studies. This program highlights the
importance of knowing Indigenous Culture and the ways in which their values are expressed, whether it be through traditions, art, music, clothing, beliefs and ways of living. The ICFF Youth Indigenous Film Series will include engaging content for students prior to the screening of the films from respected members of Indigenous communities. Students will hear from influential writers, artists and leaders of these communities who directly coincide with the representation of the Indigenous culture within the three films. In addition, ICFF has prepared an Educational Package which includes pedagogical materials for teachers to use for their lesson planning.
ICFF YOUTH 2021
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THE FILMS ICFF Youth has selected three films each suitable for different age groups and grades. The films are presented in either the French or Italian language and are all accompanied by English subtitles.
Secondary School
Kuessipan
Director: Myriam Verreault Suitable For: Ages 16+ or Grades 11/12 Language: French (Eng. Subs.) Genre: Drama Country: Canada Indigenous Group of Focus: Innu Film Run: 119’ mins Inspired by Naomi Fontaine’s novel, Kuessipan is a critically-acclaimed coming-of-age story about the irreplaceable bond between two young women. Mikuan and Shaniss, two teenage girls from an Innu community, have grown up alongside each other and have always been inseparable, but when Mikuan falls for Francis, a non-native youth from her workshop, a rift is created between the two friends that shakes the very foundation of their relationship.
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Elementary School Zanna Bianca
Director: Alexandre Espigares Suitable For: Ages 8+ or Grade 3+ Language: Italian (Eng. Subs.) Genre: Animation, Adventure Country: France Indigenous Group of Focus: Northern Canadian Indigenous Film Run: 85’ mins Croc-Blanc/Zanna Bianca/White Fang is the animated story that features a half wolf and half dog. After growing up in the snowy, wonderful but hostile lands of the Great North, it is welcomed by Gray Beaver and his Native Canadian tribe. Here, the animal is protected by the tribe, but will have to be accepted by the other dogs. Unfortunately, Gray Beaver will be forced to surrender White Fang to a cruel man, who will force him to transform himself into a fighting dog. This is a story of redemption, and above all, about the extraordinary strength of love that binds an animal inextricably to man.
The Legend of Sarila
Director: Nancy Florence Savard Suitable For: Ages 8+ or Grade 3+ Language: French (Eng. Subs.) or English Genre: Animation, Adventure Country: Canada Indigenous Group of Focus: Inuit Film Run: 82’ mins This animated film set in northern Canada in 1910, tells the story of three young Inuit who are part of a strong community that is facing a famine, and embark on a journey to the legendary land of Sarila. Their quest to help their clan, in spite of all the obstacles they face along their journey, turns into a great adventure of self-discovery, courage and strength while the three protect each other along the way.
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL ICFF has prepared an Educational Package which will include suggested pedagogical material for teachers in order to supplement Teachers’ lesson planning. The subjects of focus are: Social Studies - Indigenous Culture, Social Sciences and Humanities and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies (Grades 9-12). This material will consist of but is not limited to: suggested lesson planning, instructional activities based on specific scenes or thematics, interactive worksheets, curriculum connections in the film, relevant questions based on specific scenes and much more. The pedagogical material will aid teachers in creating engaging discussions about the film by offering a 2-Way Teaching Approach:
Keussipan Directed by Myriam Verreault
ICFF YOUTH 2021
Viewing the film during school hours - IN CLASS or ONLINE Teachers will have the option of incorporating the film screening as part of the in-class learning or online learning during the school day. Teachers can watch the movie alongside students, ensuring their engagement and participation. This also allows teachers to pause the film as the class watches, incorporating lessons and discussions based on specific scenes, words, themes or characters. Viewing the film outside of school hours - AT HOME Teachers can request students to view the film as part of their out-of-school learning within their homework. The teacher can then plan for the following day with activities, worksheets and discussions based on the students’ experience while watching the film. This will provide the opportunity for students to express their own insight on the film and complete the activities set out by their teacher.
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EXTRA CONTENT ICFF Youth plans to highlight the importance of Indigenous Culture and celebrate International Cinema in fun and engaging ways for the students. ICFF Youth is much more than simply watching a film in class, but rather it is the full film festival experience! Prior to the screenings of the films, ICFF has included extra special content that will enhance the students’ overall experience when participating in the project. Students will get to hear directly from the film’s main actors and directors, as well as respected members of Indigenous communities. Students will view videos from influential writers, artists and leaders of these communities who directly coincide with the representation of the Indigenous culture represented in the three films.
HOW TO ACCESS ICFF Youth will be fully accessible directly through the ICFF website at: www.icff.ca/youth. Once on the ICFF Youth Webpage, you will see all three available films and will have access to the key information on the film and its trailer. Once you have selected the most suitable film for your class, you can directly download the full Educational Package which includes all pedagogical material directly from the film-page. You can then provide students with the direct link to the film-page, where they will be able to access all of the extra content, and finally, view the film with a private link which will be available on the film-page as well. The movie will not require any special code or password to be viewed, but will simply be accessible through the correct private link posted on the film-page.
White Fang Directed by Alexandre Espigares
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White Fang Directed by Alexandre Espigares
Keussipan Directed by Myriam Verreault
ICFF YOUTH 2021
INDIGENOUS FILM SERIES
LIVE PANEL DISCUSSION Thursday, March 4th, 2021 Age Group: High School Students Platform: Zoom
ICFF and the TCDSB are proud to present a live Panel Discussion taking place on Thursday March 4th, 2021 via Zoom. The 30 minute panel discussion will be dedicated to the topic of Indigenous Studies, with Special Guests in attendance. Students will hear first-hand the experiences of proud Indigenous representatives, and have the opportunity to ask questions about their culture and experiences.
9 CONFIRMED PANELISTS: Diane Montreuil Artist and community member of MĂŠtis background from TCDSB Derek Chen Superintendent of Equity, Diversity, Indigenous Education, and Community Relations TCDSB Joseph Cafiso Director, ICFF Youth Licia Biglands ICFF Youth, Curator French Component Sharon Fontaine Ishpatao Main Actress in the film Kuessipan
The Legend of Sarila Directed by Nancy Florence Savard
A D A N A C F F C I @ CONTACT US +1.416.893.3966 youth@icff.ca www.icff.ca/youth