CELEBRATING OUR YOUTH - OUR FUTURE
The Weengushk International Film Festival (WIFF) is a not for profit Indigenous-run independent film festival on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario featuring award winning filmmakers and indigenous leaders.
In 2023, Weengushk International Film Festival’s theme is youth. We celebrate storytelling about youth experiences, their journeys and remarkable accomplishments. This year's film festival theme and cultural event, is inspired by Founder and Artistic Dr. Shirley’s life's work, as it is dedicated to providing a safe space for youth to learn about their culture, land, language and to help youth find their voice and share their experience through storytelling.
"YOU CAN'T DREAM OF THE MOON, IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT YET"
- Presley Meawasige, Youth Participant, Weengushk Film Institute
HONOURING ICONS,
BUILDERS & TRAILBLAZERS
Don't miss out on this special celebration of our award recipients!
This year, we are proud to honour the outstanding contributions of our award recipients at our annual awards gala. We will be celebrating their hard work and dedication to the festival with an evening of recognitions, awards, and performances. Join us as we recognize the incredible achievements of our award recipients, including:
- BEST FILM - BEST DIRECTOR - BEST DOCUMENTARY - BEST SHORT NARRATIVE - BEST ACTOR - BEST STUDENT FILM - BEST SCREENPLAY
Ryan Reynolds
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Mason Wesley
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Kendal Netmaker
BUILDERS AWARD
Murray Porter
ICON AWARD
Barry & Laurie Green
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Shannen Koostachin
JOSHUA YESNO TRIBUTE AWARD
Theland Kicknosway
SPIRIT AWARD
Emma Morrison
YOUTH OF DISTINCTION AWARD
Derek Miller
CULTURE ENRICHMENT AWARD
Graham Greene
CLEARING THE PATH AWARD
Keith Secola
LEGENDARY AWARD
Courtnee Osawabine
BLAKE DEBASSIGE EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
The Award Statues
Carvings done by Russell Noganosh and Sherry Dunstan
WHAT TO EXPECT
QUARANTINED QUARTET
Gary Farmer and The Troublemaker All Stars. Featuring Derek Miller
MURRAY PORTER
KEITH SECOLA