KPBSD to host 2nd annual Indigenous Language Film Festival

Community submissions will be accepted until Feb. 16

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Indigenous Education Program will host the 2nd Annual Indigenous Language Film Festival next month, with submissions accepted until Feb. 16 and the festival set for Feb. 29.

According to provided information, films can be submitted either by individuals or by groups and submissions are not limited to KPBSD students — any Kenai Peninsula Borough residents can enter. Films can be between one and five minutes in length and must include at least some dialogue in an Indigenous language.

Indigenous Education Specialist Rachel Pioch said last year that the festival is an opportunity to promote and increase visibility of Indigenous languages.

Suggested ideas, from the festival, include “teach us something,” “make us laugh,” “sing a song” or “tell us a story.”

Last year’s festival included two recitations of traditional Dena’ina songs, and the archived festival stream can be viewed online at the event’s website.

The festival will be livestreamed on Feb. 29, with details for tuning in available on the event’s website. An exact time is “to be determined.”

For more information about the festival or to submit films, visit KPBSD Indigenous Education’s website or follow the link from “KPBSD Indigenous Education” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.