INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVALS

STORY

Documentary films can be a major catalyst for change and can ultimately influence millions of viewers. Documenting cultural stories and raising awareness can bring heart-based indigenous wisdom to mainstream audiences. This is all the more important since the need to live more sustainably has never been greater. By working towards sustainable support between filmmakers, doors will open. By discussing effective strategies for positive change, indigenous communities across Indonesia and beyond will benefit for the greater good. 

The films cover a variety of topics including indigenous wisdom, connection with nature, solution focused alternatives, land rights issues, success stories, forest preservation, and use of technology to support indigenous interests. Great indigenous leaders come forward when armed with education and positivity. Their past can be our future. 

VALUE & PURPOSE

IIFF stands for International Indigenous Film Festival, a non-profit body established to support and develop social documentary filmmaking within the context of indigenous values in preserving culture and voice the rights of indigenous people. Initiated from the grassroots level in Kalimantan since 2015. Indigenous Film Festival has evolved from a local event to an international event since 2018. The festivals are held annually as Bali International Indigenous Film Festival (BIIFF), Kalimantan Indigenous Film Festival (KIFF), Kuching International Indigenous Film Festival (KIIFF).

It is a platform for indigenous filmmakers to showcase their films to the global audience, connect to international indigenous filmmaking community network, and share the stories from their tribes all across the globe.

The Indigenous Film Festival started as a way to raise awareness about the indigenous cultures of Indonesia and beyond, through the art form of film. In the words of John Pilger, a famous Australian writer and filmmaker; ”The early British filmmakers believed the documentary should speak from below, not from above; it should be the medium of people, not authority. In other words, it is the blood, sweat and tears of ordinary people that gives us the documentary.”

The festival allows for indigenous film makers to meet, collaborate, share their films, inspire each other and ensure the voice of indigenous people reaches a larger audience. Using film as a way to tell stories to strengthen heritage and cultural identity in the indigenous communities. We hope the film festival will be a wellspring of inspiration, solutions, renewal, community and hope, as we welcome indigenous people from Indonesia and various countries. 

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