July 9th is Nunavut Day. Nunavut is the territory in northern Canada which was ceded to the indigenous peoples in 1999. It is the fifth largest territory in the world and is home to just 40,000. Nunavut has a rich Inuit culture, is home to a diverse group of artists renowned for their unique and expressive works, especially in the mediums of carving, printmaking, and drawing.
Yes, Nunavut has a growing community of filmmakers who are gaining recognition both within Canada and internationally. These filmmakers often focus on stories that reflect the unique cultural and geographical aspects of life in the Arctic, and they contribute significantly to the broader Canadian cinematic landscape by bringing Inuit perspectives and storytelling traditions to the screen. Here are some notable filmmakers from Nunavut:
Zacharias Kunuk
Probably the most famous Inuit filmmaker, Kunuk gained international acclaim with his film “Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner,” which won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001. The film is notable for being the first feature film ever to be written, directed, and acted entirely in Inuktitut.
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
A passionate documentary filmmaker, Arnaquq-Baril’s work often explores issues of cultural preservation and modern challenges facing Inuit communities. Her documentary “Angry Inuk” won multiple awards and focuses on the Inuit seal hunt and its cultural significance. Part exposé, part personal documentary, director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s Hot Docs Audience Award-winning film investigates the global anti-sealing movement’s damaging impact on Inuit communities.
Nyla Innuksuk
A filmmaker and VR (virtual reality) producer, Innuksuk has worked on various projects that include innovative technologies to tell stories about northern communities. She is also the founder of Mixtape VR, which creates VR, augmented reality, and mixed reality content.
Madeline Ivalu
Ivalu is co-director of the film “Before Tomorrow,” a drama that revolves around an Inuit woman and her grandson who struggle for survival. She is also known for her work as an actress and a contributor to preserving Inuit culture through cinema.
Stacey Aglok MacDonald
Originally from Kugluktuk, MacDonald has been involved in several film productions that focus on life in the Arctic. She is known for her work on the film “Throat Song” and as a producer who highlights important social issues within her community.
Raindance celebrates these filmmakers are pivotal in bringing the stories and voices of Nunavut’s Inuit population to a wider audience, contributing rich narratives to the world of film.
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Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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