By Sylvia Schippers 

Indianer Inuit is a film festival that crosses cultures and crosses continents, leaving behind the one-dimensional images and prejudices and challenging the romantic notion of the ‘Hollywood Indian’ Europe’s been fed for generations. 

Scheduled March 21 through 25  in Stuttgart, Germany,  Indianer Inuit is unique in that it fosters an intercultural  dialogue by giving guests the opportunity to interact directly with filmmakers and performers. And Europe is interested. The first Indianer Inuit Festival three years ago exceeded all expectations by attracting an estimated 3,000 attendees. 

Working in partnership with the American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) and UNICEF and UNESCO-Germany, the festival’s theme this year is Indigenous Voices  with a focus on the contributions of women in film. In light of this theme, Indianer Inuit is featuring a retrospective of the work of renowned Metis/Cree actress Tantoo Cardinal, who will be in attendance. The award-winning actress has appeared in more than 60 film and television productions including Dances With Wolves, Smoke Signals, Black Robe, and this year’s hard-hitting film, Unnatural and Accidental.  As this year’s honoree, Cardinal will also introduce the festival’s School Film Program. 

Other distinguished guests this year are AIFI President Michael Smith, writer/musician Joy Harjo, filmmaker Luline Wailana McGregor, and actor and junior world champion hoop dancer, Nakotah LaRance, who will also perform.

Films being screened this year includes classics like Smoke Signals and Black Robe along with newer releases such as Johnny Tootall, Expiration Date, A Thousand Roads, Moose TV, Edge of America,  and many more. For a complete listing of films and events, including the agenda of the School Film Program, please visit the Indianer Inuit website: www.nordamerika-filmfestival.com