In commemoration of International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples 2021, Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival - KIIFF is coming back with the theme“Earth Protector: Heal The Land, Heal The Future”. For years, indigenous people have been the guardians of the earth and the forest, and we believe that their stories must be continued to pass onto the global community.
Since 2020, due to the pandemic and government restriction on public event the fourth Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival has been hosted online via Ranu Welum Youtube Channel on 7 to 8 August 2021 started at 1pm – 9pm live from Ranu Welum Studio with total five shows, three panel discussion, and one workshop plus a night celebration, KIFF brought over 2000 people together watching live from 12 countries and 4 continents. ]
SHOWS, PANELS AND WORKSHOP
The selected films were divided into five shows, the first show discussing about traditional farming. There were four films that have been screened; Kayuk Yek (Orang Asli), Hudoq Kawit (Dayak Behau), Iwan lan Manuk (Java). These films remind us how traditional farming has become an important part to keep the stability of indigenous peoples life.
For the second show we had Hutan Perempuan (Papua), The Sacred Spring of Merbabu (Java) and Meratus Blues (Kalimantan) that show us the landscape containing a variety of natural and cultural life.
Third show narrated the struggle of a Indigenous communities deal with environmental disasters occur in the past recent years. The fourth show emphasized the connection between the community and the forest. Saving forests worldwide could have a simple solution by entrusting them to local communities to protect them, and the fifth show was about people who live in or near forests and whose livelihoods depend on them are more likely to protect them better therefore the partnership between the indigenous and non-indigenous is considered as one of the main key of success in protecting the nature.
There were total three panels. First, the panel Fighting Environmental Battle. The speakers discussed about the landscape in Kalimantan, Java and Papua from filmmakers' perspective. Second panel was a Kalimantan specific panel, which was Closing Intergenerational Gap. Speakers who were young Dayak leaders discussed on how the Indigenous youth make sure that teachings from their ancestors will not disappear in this digital and modern age. Third panel was How To Be A Good Ally? which explored the partnership between the indigenous and non-indigenous in the presence of binary issue which still exists.
There was also a special session talk about The Silent of Environmental Heroes which featured the speakers from Aceh, Papua and Kalimantan to share their effort to protect their homeland.
BEST FILM AND HONORABLE MENTION
We would like to congratulate these three films for their briliant storytelling and contribution to nature, culture and indigenous rights.
BALALEK/ One Place Different Space by Haris Supiandi as the Best Film this year. As the film is in drama genre, it does not fail to address the crucial issue in Kalimantan right now. Shooted cinematically beautiful, Balalek has delivered a briliant approach to present the tension between indigenous traditional practice and governmental system law through a family relationship. It also provides us with fact which highlight injustice and prompt us to act.
The Lost Art of Seasoning shows us a determination from a generation to revive the ancient tradition that is almost gone. With only three traditional salt makers alive, youth in Arunachal Pradesh decide to take this important task: receive the teaching and document it. That’s how this film becomes a tool to close the intergenerational gap. This film inspires us especially young people about the importance of the documentation on the history and traditional practice so it will not disappear, and how to respect the elders who hold these important wisdoms.
Keru Baki Not only this film shows us how to connect with nature through tradition and spiritual practice from the Lamaholot indigenous community on the Ile Lewotolok mountain, East Nusa Tenggara, Keru Baki also sends the message to the world that Lembata people have their own way to protect the earth. This film hits differently as the community had to deal with flood, landslide and volcano eruption just as few months ago. Keru Baki shows that Lamaholot community never loses their hopes, even in the difficult times. This is exactly what the world needs now: hope for better earth and better future.
Since last year pandemic has affected everyone around the world. Pandemic poses a grave health threat to Indigenous peoples around the world as well. Indigenous communities already experience poor access to healthcare. Even when Indigenous peoples are able to access healthcare services, they can face stigma and discrimination.
The KIFF2021 final show was quite emotional. By singing heal the world together followed by the declaration on the indigenous rights (UNDDRIP) at the night of closing ceremony, team and volunteers show up to bring support and encouragement for the indigenous communities all over the world to find a solution to get out of this difficult situation and carry out their role as earth protectors. The show then was closed with a song Rumah Kita (Our Home) by whole team, both on stage and behind the stage.
Thank you for joining us. Watch the whole show #KIIFF2021 here!
See you next year!!
