I am helping to coordinate Folil Trafün (Joining Roots), a showcase of Indigenous and Afro-diaspora films from Latin America (with English subtitles), followed by dialogues to deepen understanding of the films and their relationship with local realities. We will also provide culturally relevant food, from the ʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nation to share with Salishan Catering. The showcase will launch with two hybrid (online and in-person) screenings at the UBC Campus. Following these events, we’ll host a two-day event (in person) with multiple films and discussions each day, at St. John’s College and UBC Robson Square Theatre (see below for detailed information). The films and subsequent conversations will be framed on themes like Indigenous and Afro-descent identities, migration, Mother Nature, and complex relationships between industry and Indigenous communities. Special attention will be given to how communities work towards territorial sovereignty.
The project brings together three main partners: Ficwallmapu, an Indigenous and Latinx collective that puts on a yearly film festival and various smaller film events in the Wallmapu; The Latin American Cultural Centre, a local hub for both Latinx and non-Latinx residents to experience Latin American arts and culture; and the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) team from the Faculty of Forestry at UBC, a leading forestry school globally.
We have been able to host these events and collaborations thanks to the financial and in-kind support of the Faculties of Land and Food Systems, Science, and Applied Sciences, UBC Connects, St. John’s College, Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund (PREF), the Global Lounge Fund, the Inspiring Community Fund (Utown), and the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC).
