Congratulations to Director Jules Arita Koostachin and the team behind WaaPaKe for winning Best BC Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) last night.
WaaPaKe is a story about resilience, love and transformation. Examined through an Indigenous lens, the stories of residential school Survivor-Warriors and their families offer an understanding of both intergenerational trauma and healing.
In total, five Canadian films were celebrated for their excellence at VIFF last night. Congratulations to all the winners of the five juried awards:
Best Canadian Film: FITTING IN
Molly McGlynn, Canada, 2023
Emerging Canadian Director: VALLEY OF EXILE
Anna Fahr, Canada/Lebanon, 2023
Best Canadian Documentary: SOMEONE LIVES HERE
Zachary Russell, Canada, 2022
Best Canadian Short: KATSHINAU/LES MAINS SALES
Julien G. Marcotte, Jani Bellefleur-Kaltush, Canada, 2023
Best BC Film: WAAPAKE
Jules Arita Koostachin, Canada, 2023
Running until October 8, VIFF is an annual event celebrating the art of filmmaking with a thoughtfully curated selection of films, many of which are proudly crafted in B.C. To learn more about the B.C. films being showcased at VIFF, check out this BC Creates article, and be sure to #WatchBC whenever you have the opportunity!
