Kikino Métis Settlement short film premieres at Calgary International Film Festival Sunday

A short film premiering at the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) showcases the lives of youth living in a Kikino Métis Settlement in Alberta.

Kikino Kids was created by and stars youth from the settlement, which is two hours northeast of Edmonton.

The film brings the unique lives of Kikino youth to the big screen and carries the message that every Indigenous community has its own stories to share.

Kikino Kids “presents a whimsical blend of Wes Anderson’s and Taika Waititi’s early styles,” according to the CIFF website.

Kikino means “Our Home” in Cree.

Barry Bilinski, the director of Kikino Kids, says the film takes a step forward for Indigenous representation on the silver screen.

“The Métis community, in particular, isn’t always represented. Seeing the unique qualities in Kikino is something that the world could really use. And it lets all the community members know that their stories are getting out there and people want to hear them,” Bilinski said.

“We went through a lot of explorations, telling different stories, asking questions about our families and what is unique about Kikino as a Métis settlement. And from that, we just started to pull some threads and make a story out of it.”

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The actors in the film are part of the Tap Root Actor’s Academy, which empowers and creates opportunities for Indigenous actors and their stories. Amelia Hardy and Kagen McNamara star in the film.

“I always tell people about the movie I made, and they’re really proud of me that I accomplished that,” Hardy said.

Hardy and McNamara add they are going to continue to pursue a career in acting.

“Some of the actors that I watch in TV shows and movies, I really want to be like them,” Hardy said.

“Yeah, I would want to be an actor because it seems really fun and the experience of it, it’s definitely challenging, but it’s fun, I liked it,” said McNamara.

Everyone involved in making Kikino Kids says they are thrilled the movie is premiering at CIFF.

“It’s affirming for us to get that kind of recognition,” Bilinsky said.

Kikino Kids premieres online Sunday as part of a collection of shorts called Shorts: Alberta Spirit #1.

You can learn more about the film, and about the festival by visiting the CIFF website.