Banchi Hanuse and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers: Film Screening and Panel Discussion

A series of short film screenings were followed by this dialogue with the filmmakers, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Banchi Hanuse.Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers is a filmmaker, writer, and actor. She is Blackfoot from the Kainai First Nation (Blood Reserve) as well as Sámi from northern Norway. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of British Columbia in First Nations Studies with a Minor in Women's and Gender Studies. Her award-winning works are often rooted in social justice and explore innovative means of telling stories through mediums including narrative fiction, docudrama, documentary, mockumentary, and experimental film.She is a recipient of the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award and a Kodak Image Award for her work as an emerging filmmaker. Her recent short documentary, Bihttoš, was included in the TIFF Top Ten Shorts and was also nominated for a Canadian Screen Award and a Leo Award for Best Short Documentary.Banchi Hanuse is the founder and station manager of Bella Coola’s community radio station, Nuxalk Radio 91.1 FM. Her directorial debut, Cry Rock, won several awards following its premiere at National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival including the Golden Sheaf Award for Best Documentary Short at Yorkton Film Festival. Hanuse began in the film industry as a camera trainee with IATSE Local 669 and then went on to work at the National Film Board of Canada — Pacific Yukon Centre — as a researcher and associate producer. She is an alumna of Werner Herzog’s Roque Film School.