‘Gill Crescent’ showcases the beautiful relationship between Indigenous Olympian Liam Gill and the remote communities of the Northwest Territories that his family calls home. Using snowboarding as the method of exploring the barren land of the north, this short film explores themes of family, reciprocity, and ingenuity. The approach to snowboarding in the North directly speaks to the Indigenous adaptiveness required to survive, and thrive, in such remote areas. Following Gill’s Olympic debut, he leveraged his international success to channel funding for snowboarding clinics in three Northern communities; Yellowknife, Fort Smith, and Fort Simpson. Just weeks after returning from Beijing, Liam kicked off his inaugural tour around the NWT. Having now returned for three consecutive years, ‘Gill Crescent’ isn’t a simple snapshot of time and place, but rather a story of the growth and joy that has transpired since 2022.
Finn Westbury doesn’t let himself get put into a box; he’s a videographer, editor, writer, and professional snowboarder. Over the past decade, Westbury has entrenched himself in Canadian snowboard culture through his numerous offings to the sport. His desire for exploration and synonymously, capturing new sights, has led to no shortage of incredible experiences. Granted the opportunity to work with childhood friend Liam Gill, the star of ‘Gill Crescent’, marks Westburys first foray into narrative film.
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