The upcoming World Community Film Festival features an assortment of documentaries from around the world.
One of them, Vancouver Filmmakers Shorts Program, consists of two films: The Return (20 min) and HIV: Healing Inner Voices (27min).
In the former, news broke that there were salmon in a tiny creek that runs amongst vast parking lots close to the East Vancouver home of filmmaker Marina Dodis. It was the first time the fish have made it to the area in decades. Dodis became enchanted by the experience and began to film, hoping to make a contribution to protecting the salmon. This film is an invitation to explore where one lives, and to witness the resilience and rejuvenating effects of nature in our midst. Stunning cinematography and thoughtful interviews paint a realistic yet hopeful portrait of the Lower Mainland’s creeks where salmon can spawn and thrive.
Martin Morberg and Jada-Gabrielle Pape filmed the latter on the unceded traditional lands and waters of the Musqueam and Squamish Nations. HIV: Healing Inner Voices explores the realities of living with HIV for eight Indigenous people who come from many Nations but who all find themselves living in metro Vancouver. Each tells a story of facing stigma and discrimination, and reveals where they find hope and love. This short, poetically-shot documentary resounds with resilience, the healing power of Indigenous culture, and most of all the strengths and voices of its’ makers. Honest and moving, this film will be a tool for healing.
The 30th annual festival runs virtually from Feb. 5-13.
For tickets and a full program guide, visit worldcommunity.ca/film-festival
