The 8th annual Weengushk International Film Festival recently announced the award recipients for the 2024 Festival, held from July 11-14 on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Canada.
The Weengushk International Film Festival (WIFF) awards honoured cultural icons, builders and trailblazers with a gala, featuring a keynote address from Lakota poet Cliff Cardinal.
Cody Lightning, a Cree actor and filmmaker, won Best Actor for his role in Hey, Viktor!, a mockumentary about a struggling Indigenous actor attempting to revive his career with a sequel to Smoke Signals.
Mr Lightning highlighted the blend of a dark presence and humour in Indigenous culture.
"In Indigenous culture and on reservations, there's a very dark presence, unfortunately," he said.
"Also in that, there's a laughter, a sense of humour that we all have.
"I want to shine light on the darkness of the dysfunctional humour we have as Indigenous people."
Marie Clements, a Métis woman, won Best Director for Bones of Crows, a psychological drama about Cree Matriarch Aline Spears, who survives Canada's residential school system and battles systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse.
The film follows Spears' generational fight for justice.
Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce woman, Lily Gladstone received the Special Jury Distinction Award.
The award honours individuals or groups for exceptional contributions distinguished by their originality and impact.
The Weengushk International Film Festival, led by Artistic Director Dr. Shirley Cheechoo CM, is a significant non-profit, Indigenous-run independent film festival and cultural event.
It featured 57 films, five workshops, four musical performances, including an opening night and a gala awards event, showcasing both award-winning and emerging filmmakers and Indigenous leaders.
2024 Weengushk International Film Festival award recipients
Best Director
Marie Clements, Bones of Crows
Best Documentary Feature Film
Sugarcane, Directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie
Best Screenplay
Marie Clements, Bones of Crows
Best Narrative Feature Film
Hey, Viktor!, Director Cody Lightning
Best Actor
Cody Lightning, Hey, Viktor!
Best Short Documentary Film
The Alexander Ball, Director Jessica Magro
Best Actor in a Student Film
Stitch
Best Student Film
My Furry Friend, Director Presley Meawasige
Special Jury Prize
Award of Excellence
Phil Fontaine
Blake Debassige Emerging Artist Award
Malia Mathias-Mizzi
Builders Award
Barbara Nolan
Merit Award
Gordon Whiskeychan
Clearing The Path Award
Harry Laforme
Culture Enrichment Award
Tom Jackson
Humanitarian Award
Mark Ruffalo
Icon Award
Lorne Cardinal
Tom Wilson
Medicine Bundle Award
Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux
Joshua Yesno Tribute Award
Billy Diamond
Legendary Award
Matthew Coon Come
Spirit Award
Daisy Bearskin
Youth of Distinction Award
Lourdes Taukei
Special Jury Distinction Award
Lily Gladstone
