To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF), has commissioned 5 short films to be made by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in artists.

Over the past few years, the DCISFF has been running the Dawson Film Lab project. This has involved filmmakers (local and non-local) coming to Dawson City to experiment and work on media projects to enhance their craft.

The focus has gravitated toward analogue film processes (8mm and 16mm), and most recently involved the usage of eco-safe developers using local plants and/or caffeine.

Last year 9 artists from across Canada and Dawson City participated. In the 2023 Dawson Film Lab (this year called the Dënäkär Zho Film Lab), 5 local TH citizens will be making films using these processes to create work that will be be premiered at the 25th DCISFF in March 2024. In additon, these works will be screened on Northwestel's Digital cable channel, increasing their reach. This initiative puts the creativity of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in artists to the forefront, allowing them the creative freedom to express themselves in media art.

Particpating artists are Jackie Olsen, Darcy Tara McDiarmid, Jem Titus, Kylie Van Every, and the team
of Georgette McLeod and Allison Anderson. Some shooting has already taken place up the Dempster (Joe Henry) Highway.

Of her project, Kylie VanEvery said, "It is a chance to express that to truly live is to feel the spirit of the land and know the ancient connection that lives within all of us, that is true balance and healing of the soul".

The 25th festival takes place March 28-31, 2024.

Dënäkär Zho is the Hän name gifted to the KIAC Building. It means House of mixed colours.

Check out the 2022 Dawson Film Lab

The DCISFF is a program of the Klondike Institure of Art and Culture. The Film Lab is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and Northwestel Commumtiy Televison and through the assistance of Culture Quest, Department of Tourism and Culture, John Streicker, Minister.