Reshaping Storytelling with Zacharias Kunuk
2025 VIFF 鈥揟alks
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 1:00 PM
Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema
SFU School for the Contemporary Arts
149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
Tickets: $29.00
Join us for an intimate conversation with legendary filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk, who made history as the first Inuk to produce a feature film. His masterpiece Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner didn鈥檛 just win the Cam茅ra d鈥橭r at Cannes 鈥� it shattered stereotypes, becoming Canada鈥檚 highest-grossing film of 2002 and opening doors for more authentic voices that had been largely absent from mainstream cinema.Through his production company Isuma, Kunuk has revolutionized Indigenous storytelling, proving that the most powerful cinema comes from authentic voices telling stories in their own language 鈥� by the people who lived them.
This remarkable conversation will explore groundbreaking community-based filmmaking, cultural preservation through cinema, and how to challenge industry norms with authentic storytelling. Hear from a visionary filmmaker who bridges ancient traditions and contemporary cinema, inspiring filmmakers worldwide.
Moderated by Siku Allooloo.
Presented by the and the .