In 2022 the Gifts for the River Film Festival showcased 28 films, 3 prizes, special guests, panel discussions, community celebrations, and much more. Explore some of the offerings below.
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Gifts For The River Film Festival seeks to celebrate our relationship with the land and waterways that sustain us. To celebrate the artists and filmmakers who are in intentional relationship with the natural world and utilize their medium to create awareness about the issues that threaten Mother Earth as well as celebrate the ongoing resilience of Turtle Island and the peoples who care for it.
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The festival is a mixture of film screenings, panel discussions, and community celebrations, both in person and online. The virtual festival will launch on Friday March 25th and showcase the full lineup of official selections as well as access to livestream events and panel discussions. Special guests include: Sharon Day, Dr. Carolyn Dunn, Siobhan Growing Elm Brown, Ty Defoe, Judy Pamp, Dany Sineway, Anita Hall, Judy Webkamigad, Howard Webkamigad, Dr. Maureen N. Eke, Ivey Camille Manybeads-Tsom, Katherine Freer, Dr. Ari Berk, and many more.
Friday March 25th
6:00pm - Festival Opening Celebration
Opening blessing, some words from the organizers, overview of events and online festival, music
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6:30pm - Short Film Block 1
Screening of the first curated short film block followed by a brief conversation with participating filmmakers
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8:00pm - Day 1 Closing Session
Gifts for the River
Educational Series premier
March 26th marked the premier of the Gifts for the River Educational Series, a resource for Michigan public schools to more deeply engage with the waterways.
Saturday March 26th
11:00am - Gifts for the River - Series premier & Panel
With Panelists Ty Defoe, Judy Pamp, Dr. Maureen N. Eke, and Katherine Freer. Moderated by Dr. Ari Berk.
12:30pm - Community Meal
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1:30pm - Short Film Block 2
Screening of the first curated short film block followed by a brief conversation with participating filmmakers
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2:30pm - Panel: Water Protectors
With panelists Sharon Day, Dr. Carolyn Dunn, Siobhan Growing Elm Brown, and more.
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3:30pm - Feature Film - Powerlands
A young Navajo filmmaker investigates displacement of Indigenous people and devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies that have exploited the land where she was born. On this personal and political journey she learns from Indigenous activists across three continents.
Screening will be followed by a conversation with director Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso
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5:30pm - Closing Celebration & Award Ceremony
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Check out our amazing partners, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and Central Michigan University.