8th Cowichan International Aboriginal Festival of Film & Art
April 17-20, 2012

The Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival is about connections, understanding, growth, sharing ideas, new work, and friendships. Each year brings its own gifts and its own stories. But underneath it all, the excitement, the glamour of film makers and movie stars, the sharing of teachings and culture, is that this is an opportunity for us to open up to one another, a catalyst for ideas and dreams, both for the artist and for the community. Each person is important, whether they be film maker, performer, artist, sponsor, Elder or participant. Each is needed to complete the circle. 

2012 will see some important changes in the way that the Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival  is presented. This year all our events will take place in the beautiful Quwutsun Cultural Centre, located on the banks of the historic Cowichan River, in the heart of Duncan. The 2012 festival dates are from Tuesday April 17- Friday April 20. Our Gala Reception and Opening Ceremonies will take place in the Comiaken House Tuesday evening, April 17. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will feature selected film screenings, in various locations at the cultural centre. The Quwutsun Cultural Centre Gift Shop will provide the opportunity to view and purchase Coast Salish artists' work. The Youth FX film workshops will take place Thursday and Friday during the day, with youth film awards presented on Friday afternoon.  To purchase festival passes or individual event tickets contact the film festival offices at 250-746-7930, or aff@cowichan.net.

The Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival is presented annually by the Cowichan Intercultural Festival of Film & Art (CIFFA) Society with the generous support of Cowichan Tribes. We thank our funding sponsors; Canada Arts Council, BC Arts Council, and Heritage Canada, our community sponsors; Film Cowichan, City of Duncan, CVRD, our media sponsors; A Channel, Cowichan NewsLeader and Sun FM and our many volunteers.

This year, to further honour and showcase our carvers, weavers, artists and storytellers,  the CIFFA Society will be presenting a month long Coast Salish art show,  called The Story of Cedar, with performances, and workshops. This will be done in partnership with the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, throughout the month of June 2012, to celebrate National Aboriginal Month. The Story of Cedar-Art Show will take place in Portals, at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.