WELCOME TO

Welcome to the 21st edition of the Available Light Film Festival! Dákwänī'į yū shäw ghànīddhän. (We are happy to see all of you)

Dan’ ch’e. Hello there, how are you?

Shàw níthan, merci, gunalchîsh, thank you for coming to 21st Available Light Film Festival.

After a few challenging years of a mostly virtual festival experience, we are delighted to bring back the magic of experiencing stories from around the world gathered as a community in a dark cinema. We are thrilled to meet you between February 9th and 19th at the iconic Yukon Theatre, the Old Fire Hall and the Yukon Arts Centre, as well as on our virtual platform.

As always, the ALFF team could now have done it without you, our loyal and always curious audiences. We are extremely grateful for your support, patronage, and participation. We live in an extraordinary place on this earth in an engaged community that shares our passion for independent cinema and arts.

We are thrilled to bring you a variety of local, national, and internationally acclaimed films. The ALFF 2023 opening film, Eternal Spring, directed by Jason Loftus is an unmissable and exhilarating tale of determination to speak up for political and religious freedoms, no matter the cost. Eternal Spring was selected as Canada’s Best International feature film entry for the Academy Awards 2023.

Some of other Canadian features include the Yukonmade sci-fi film Polaris by KC Carthew, Geographies of Solitude by Jacqueline Mills, The Ballad of Caveman Bill by David Curtis (world premiere), Ever Deadly by Chelsea McMullen and Tanya Tagaq, as well as TIFF Top 10 Canadian films of 2022: Viking, Brother, I Like Movies, Riceboy Sleeps and Rosie. International film highlights include EO by Jerzy Skolimowski, Living by Oliver Hermanus, Aftersun by Charlotte Wells, and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed by Laura Poitras– all with Oscar 2023 nominations. We have programmed a tribute screening of Blood Quantum to remember and honour of the incendiary work of Mi’gmaq director Jeff Barnaby who passed away in 2022.

For a third year, Available Light spotlights Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour and LGBTQ2S+ filmmakers with the Made in the North Award, with the generous support of Canada Goose. ALFF is happy to award cash prizes to the three outstanding films by underrepresented filmmakers in ALFF Official Selection. The Made in the North Award is designed to advance the talent of BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ Canadian filmmakers with a focus on those living in the northern territories and regions of Canada. There are three award categories: Best Canadian Feature Film, Best Canadian Short Film and Best Northern Short Film.

The Yukon Film Society is honoured to host many talented creatives each year at Available Light. Thank you to all the filmmakers, creatives, industry delegates and documentary participants who will take part in Q&As, ALFF Industry Forum events, concerts and ALFF Creator talks. We’re also happy to announce that more than 50% of the films we’re presenting are BIPOC or LGBTQ2S+led and directed productions. A commitment to justice, equity, diversity & inclusion principles in film needs to happen in the cinema and not just on set. We thank our audiences and partners for their support in championing emerging and diverse voices.

As always, we could not present this multi-faceted festival without the continuous and generous support of numerous Yukon businesses and partner non-profits. We know it’s been a challenging couple of years, and we acknowledge your on-going support. Shäw níthän. The Yukon Film Society also acknowledges the ongoing annual support of Canada Council for the Arts, Yukon Arts Operating Fund, Yukon Lotteries, The City of Whitehorse, Yukon Government and Telefilm Canada. This support makes it possible for us to plan, produce and present this festival.

Please join us in thanking all the artists, filmmakers and industry representatives for sharing their work and experience at ALFF and ALFF Industry, as well as the sponsors, community organizations and hard-working volunteers and staff that make Available Light 2023 possible.

Shäw níthän, gunalchîsh, mahsi cho, merci, gracias, chi miigwech, Qujannamiik and thank you for coming to Available Light and making this a very special annual community event.

Andrew Connors, Festival Director Kinga Binkowska, Co-programmer

Andrew Connors

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

Kinga Bińkowska

SENIOR PROGRAMMER

Fallen Matthews

Tony Berto

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMMERS

Marie Hammje

Genesee Keevil

Jin Lee

Paige Galette 2023 ALFF PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Max Fraser ALFF INDUSTRY PRODUCER

Brian Bromley FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Cherie Ratté

ASSISTANT PRODUCER

Daniel Little DEVELOPMENT & SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

Even Stepanian TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Garrett Cluett GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kathleen Napier MEDIA & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Ashley Swinton OLD FIRE HALL VENUE MANAGER

Alexandra Knowles ALFF PITCH EVENT COORDINATOR

Bran Ramsey ONLINE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Talia Woodland ALFF TRAILER