Stories of land, culture, and adventure—shared in community.
2026 Community Initiatives
Supported by:
Dates & Locations:
Fort Simpson, NWT - Łíí dlįį Kúę Film Festival
May 29-31, 2026
VIMFF was honoured to partner with filmmaker Jonathan Antoine and the 7th Annual Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Film Festival in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, as part of the first stage of our Indigenous Film Tour.
Integrated into the Indigenous-led festival, VIMFF presented a curated selection of mountain, adventure, and documentary films exploring resilience, culture, connection to the land, and the human spirit. Beyond the screenings, the visit provided opportunities to connect with local filmmakers, Elders, youth, educators, and community leaders while learning about the important work being done to preserve Indigenous stories, language, and culture through film.
Audience members responded enthusiastically to the films, while emerging filmmakers were inspired to learn that many of the stories had been created by the adventurers themselves rather than large production companies. Conversations throughout the weekend focused on storytelling, filmmaking, and future opportunities for collaboration, including pathways for northern and Indigenous filmmakers to share their work with broader audiences.
The experience reinforced the power of film to bring people together, build relationships across communities, and support Indigenous stories being shared in their own voices.
Inukjuak, Nunavik
June 7- 9, 2026
In partnership with Inukrock Climbers Club, VIMFF travelled to Inukjuak, Nunavik to present the community’s first mountain film screening and a documentary storytelling workshop for local youth.
The project was shaped by the community from the beginning. Local youth selected the films, promoted the event, organized contests and prize draws, and helped deliver the screening itself. More than 120 community members attended the event, filling the Recreation Centre for an evening of climbing films, storytelling, laughter, and community celebration.
The documentary workshop introduced youth to the fundamentals of visual storytelling, interviewing, sound recording, and editing. Participants asked thoughtful questions about filmmaking and several expressed an interest in creating their own documentaries, including projects focused on the Inukrock climbing program and personal stories from their own lives.
Throughout the visit, it became clear that climbing in Inukjuak is about much more than sport. Through Inukrock, youth are developing leadership skills, building confidence, learning traditional knowledge, and strengthening connections to their community and the land.
As a lasting legacy, VIMFF provided a projector and projection screen that will remain with Inukrock to support future screenings, educational programs, presentations, and community events. More importantly, the project helped spark conversations about future storytelling initiatives and demonstrated the enthusiasm that exists within Inukjuak for both climbing and film.
What began as a community screening evolved into something much more meaningful: a celebration of youth leadership, storytelling, and community connection.
Haida Gwaii, BC
Ongoing Partnership – 2025–2026
Upcoming tours: Daajing Giids on Sept 24 and in Masset on Sept 25, 2026
The VIMFF Initiatives
VIMFF supports the local outdoor community with the following initiatives:
