A short history of KIAC and the festival

The Dawson City International Short Film Festival sprang into action in 2000, as a project of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) and a few ambitious and creative film enthusiasts from the community. KIAC is an arts centre founded and governed by the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS) that offers a range of programming; including community courses in visual and performing arts, an annual arts festival, the film festival, an art camp for kids, an artist-run centre (the ODD Gallery) and much more.

Every Easter weekend, The Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF) opens its arms to a migration of film lovers for a four-day celebration of short film. The festival presents films of all genres from around the world as well as those made in the Yukon. Special events such as panel discussions, meet and greets, workshops, and awards continue to boost professional contacts and marketing opportunities for filmmakers, providing a unique networking environment.

The festival has hosted many notable Canadian and International guests including Mike Clattenburg, Carol Geddes, Bruce McDonald, Andrea Dorfman, Phil Hoffman, Don MacKeller, John Walker and Cari Green.

Objectives of the DCISFF
To build a strong program of film education, entertainment, presentation and development for Yukon residents in the context of the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture’s (KIAC) other arts and media education streams.

To increase the profile of Yukon-made video and film productions by placing them in the context of an international festival.

To strengthen and extend contacts for Yukon filmmakers with out-of-Territory producers, broadcasters, filmmakers, festivals, distributors, and funding agencies.

To provide support to filmmakers in the form of opportunities to present their films publicly to a broad audience, workshops and seminars aimed at professional and creative development, and prizes to award outstanding achievements.

To increase the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the diversity of representations and interpretations provided by contemporary film and video makers.

To nurture contemporary media practices through the filmmaker/media artist in residency program in partnership with KIAC’s Macaulay House Artist in Residence program.

To contribute culturally, socially and economically to our community, and to the Yukon Territory.

ONGOING
EVENTS

Special Programs
at the 2008 Festival.
click here