Unleashed Dayak Power
INDIGENOUS LEAD which was held on 29 August - 1 September 2018 received well appreciation and compliments from public, especially for the new program Kalimantan Indigenous Film Festival. Schools, universities, communities, government institutions, dance academy, artists and people from various background were so enthusiastic joining the celebration.
Why should we be proud of this celebration? Here are five recaps which are also the reasons.
There are 297 people came during two days festival which was held in Cinema XXI Palangka Raya Mall. More than 50 people came from outside Palangka Raya, some international guests event flying to Kalimantan to attend the festival. This is the first time ever where films based on indigenous people rights and made by indigenous filmmakers were screened in the cinema.
Besides film festival, there were other several programs which also had well reception from public especially youth. There were 70 students came to Youth Activist Forum. This was just exceeded our target (we expected 50 students). Teachers also came to the forum. In recent days there is an urgency for young people to involve as the solution of environmental problems. Somehow most people think that environmental discussion only belong to NGOs. The discussion about deforestation, environmental pollution etc have almost never been heard schools. In fact, we all need to take part in the effort to tackle deforestation.
Twenty people from NGOs and communities joined indigenous filmmaking workshop. Both speakers Surya Shankar from Odisha, India and Wensilaus Fautubun from West Papua whose fifteen years experience in filming with indigenous communities shared their experience in a very practical way. We hear good feedback from the participants about how they got insights and better understanding about delivering the original stories and not so rely on the equipment. Exhibition and carnival were also fascinating.
Storytelling competition became one of the most famous program. Since this was the first time ever to be conducted in Palangka Raya, public were so enthusiastic to watch the competition. Six students were telling the indigenous stories in their mother tongue and in Bahasa Indonesia. The winner was Florensa Gabriel Stevy from SMP Katolik Palangka Raya, who brought the story of the legend of Bukit Tangkiling in Dayak Ngaju language. Her amazing performance made her as first winner and received grand prize: return ticket to Bali and opportunity to learn in Green School International for one week.
Although the event in Palangka Raya ended on 1 September in night celebration, the INDIGENOUS LEAD celebration was continued to West Kalimantan. During 7 days (2-7 September) the team went to four different regencies in West Kalimantan to conduct film festival, discussion and training for young people. We had discussion with the elders, gave filmmaking training to students and did film showcase to villagers. There were in total no less than 1000 people involved in these activities.
We would like to thank everyone who have involved in making The INDIGENOUS LEAD celebration a big success. It was amazing to see how Dayak people from different sub tribes, communities and generations came together to celebrate their identity. This is just beginning. We are excited to see you all in the celebration next year.
Tabe!
Visit & Screening in Sintang, West Kalimantan
Screening film An Encounter With The Creator
Dayak male dancer in Indigenous Lead celebration night.