ArtMattan Films will release the award-winning Canadian drama film Kuessipan by Myriam Verreault, adapted from the acclaimed novel Kuessipan and co-written with the novel’s First Nation Canadian author Naomi Fontaine. Kuessipan means “your turn” in the Innu language, a title chosen to mark the notion that it is the Innu people’s turn to tell their story.

The story follows two girls who grow up as best friends in a Quebec Innu community. While Mikuan has a loving family, Shaniss is picking up the pieces of her shattered childhood. As children, they promised each other to be lifelong friends. But as they mature, their lives take different paths, and their personal ambitions diverge leading them to a cultural and identity clash that tests their bond.

Over 20 US independent theaters will participate in the March 26 virtual release of KUESSIPAN.

Kuessipan had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and received multiple awards in Canada and beyond including the Best Director Award at the Windsor International Film Festival and the Quebec City International Film Festival. Kuessipan had its virtual New York Premiere screening at the 2020 African Diaspora International Film Festival.

Myriam Verreault grew up in Loretteville, a Quebec City suburb. After completing her studies in journalism, history and cinema. she worked as a props person, director and editor in the television and film industry. In 2009, she made a name for herself by co-directing, scripting, producing, and editing West of Pluto, her critically acclaimed debut feature film, which went on to be screened at some 50 festivals around the world. Myriam started her research and writing for Kuessipan in 2012 in collaboration with the writer of the book by the same name, Naomi Fontaine, and spent five hardworking years on it, during which she made multiple immersion trips to the Innu community before beginning to shoot.