After showcasing 79 films from November 4-12, 2022, the 47th annual American Indian Film Festival concluded another successful run with the awards ceremony.
Broken Angel directed by Jules Koostachin won the prize for Best Film, along with Best Actress for Sera-Lys McArthur; and Best Documentary Feature prize went to Powerlands directed by Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso.
Broken Angel stars Jules Koostachin as Angel, a Cree woman ,who undertakes a journey of spiritual and emotional recovery after taking her daughter and fleeing an abusive relationship.
In Powerlands, Navajo filmmaker Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso investigates the displacement of Indigenous people and the devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies that have exploited the land where she was born.
The competition program included 41 films and 9 categories from Best Film to Best Music Video. Winners were selected by a jury comprised of educators, filmmakers, and community members.
Winners from the 47th American Indian Film Festival Awards
Best Film: BROKEN ANGEL, director Jules Koostachin
Best Director: Jason Brennan for L’INHUMAIN
Best Actor: Samian for L’INHUMAIN
Best Actress: Sera-Lys McArthur for BROKEN ANGEL
Best Documentary Feature: POWERLANDS, director Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso
Best Documentary Short: LONG LINE OF LADIES, director Shaandiin Tome Rayka Zehtabchi
Best Live Short: N’XAXAITKW, director Asia Youngman
Best Animated Short: MENEATH: THE HIDDEN ISLAND OF ETHICS, director Terril Calder
Best Music Video: MAGIC HITS featuring Adrian Sutherland, director Justin Stephenson