An Evening of Indigenous Storytelling: A Film Screening and Dialogue with Damian Abrahams
October 4
Heather Edwards Theatre | 5:30 PM
Join us for a powerful evening of film and conversation as we present a double feature from acclaimed filmmaker Damian Abrahams. This event offers a unique opportunity for settlers to engage with stories that illuminate the everyday realities of Indigenous people navigating a world built on colonial systems. By bearing witness to these narratives, we can begin to understand the complex challenges that exist just beneath the surface of the world many of us move through with ease.
This event is not just a film screening; it's a call to action. Following the films, there will be an intimate dialogue with director Damian Abrahams and a short panel discussion. He will share his insights into the filmmaking process and engage in a conversation designed to help a non-Indigenous audience recognize the invisible barriers that exist for so many. Barriers that do not exist for non-Indigenous folks. This is a chance to listen, learn, and grow as allies, fostering a deeper understanding of the collective responsibility we all share in creating a more just and inclusive society.
Featured Films:
"Nékem: To Change Something": Chronicling the tireless efforts of Nekem, a dedicated frontline organization, this documentary offers an intimate look at the humans helping humans facing homelessness in Calgary and Edmonton. The camera captures the team’s compassionate work and the deep connections they build with the people they serve. As the organization fights to provide everything from hot meals to medical care, the film is suddenly transformed by an unexpected tragedy: the death of Nekem’s visionary founder.
"Intersections of Identity": From the lasting trauma of colonization, a new generation struggles to navigate a world built against them. Intersections of Identity is a poignant and vital documentary that captures firsthand accounts of individuals as they confront the intertwined issues of racism, poverty, and systemic failures in policing and healthcare. Through these deeply personal narratives, the film exposes the painful, continuous cycle of discrimination and the resilience of those fighting to break free.
Free with registration.
Biography
Damian Abrahams
Damian Abrahams is originally from Haida Gwaii and has been living in amiskwaciwaskahikan for the last 21 years. He is a single dad and is a photographer and filmmaker. Damian has been a photographer his whole life, but it’s only been in the last 4 years that he’s been able to do it professionally. He’s started his own video production and photography company called Indigital Media. His film work was recognized by the Edmonton Screen Office in 2022 by awarding him the Gil Cardinal Legacy Award for his work on Indigenous Dads – which can be viewed on Telus Optik TV. His current goal is to produce a film worthy of big film festivals. Think VIFF, TIFF, and even Cannes. He firmly believes that “story telling has kept our way of life alive for generations.”
Dámaan agang hl kíng wang
“Take good care of yourselves.”
P.S.
His daughter adds: “make sure you tell them we have a cat named Cheese!”
