So Surreal: Behind the Masks at F1RST: A Celebration of Indigenous Film

Event Description

So Surreal: Behind the Masks
Directed by Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson

In So Surreal: Behind the Masks, director Neil Diamond takes us on an international journey spanning time from the period when Northwest Coast masks were collected in massive quantities, accumulating in private and public collections, to the present day as Indigenous communities work to bring these ceremonial artworks back into their rightful home.

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This screening is part of the Victoria Film Festival's second annual F1RST: A Celebration of Indigenous Film festival, which takes place on June 19-22, 2025. We are honoured and excited to be sharing space on Lekwungen lands, with Indigenous filmmakers, Indigenous funding members, actors, Indigenous workshop coordinators, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. This year is VFF's first time hosting free Indigenous-led and centered workshops, ranging from funding opportunities, grant writing, set decoration, story telling, and many paths in film and stop motion.