How Nivi Got Her Names
BLOCK D
THEME: Kids Watch Party | short films for kids ages 6 - 11
FRIDAY | 4 - 5:30 PM
Animation | 2019 | 8 min. 50 sec.
Official Selection
Suggested Rating | G
Country | Canada
Language | English
Executive Producers | Louise Flaherty, Neil Christopher
Producers | Monica Ittusardjuat, Neil Christopher
Co-Directors | Laura Deal & Neil Christopher
Writer | Laura Deal
Editors | Roselynn Akulukjuk, Arturo Betancourt
Cast | Marie Bellau, Jessie Mike, Niviaq Mike
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Nivi has always known that her names were special, but she does not know where they came from. So, one cold afternoon, Nivi decides to ask her mom. The stories of the people Nivi is named after lead her to an understanding of traditional Inuit kinship naming practices, tuqlurausiit, and knowledge of what those practices mean to Inuit. Through her names, Nivi is a little girl, a grandfather, a grandmother, and a well-respected elder. Nivi’s names connect her to the personality and character of those who have passed and make her family so much bigger than she thought before.
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ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
LAURA DEAL | Laura Deal is a writer and author of the children’s books, How Nivi Got Her Names and In the Sky at Nighttime. Laura, originally from Nova Scotia, moved to Iqaluit, Nunavut in 2005 and writes to tell stories that her own daughter, and her cousins, classmates and friends, might relate to while honoring the special bonds and love shared between families of all shapes, sizes and demographics. Still living in Iqaluit, Laura continues to work on new titles in Children’s Literature. How Nivi Got Her Names, based on the storybook, is her first short film.
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NEIL CHRISTOPHER | Many years ago, Neil moved to Resolute Bay in northern Canada. Neil quickly fell in love with the North—the landscape, the wildlife, and the culture. It was also in those first years in the North that Neil was introduced to the rich mythology of the Canadian Inuit. For the last ten years, Neil has been researching Inuit myths and legends and has used this research to develop publications for children, youth, and adults. In 2012, Neil wrote and directed his first animated film, Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves. This film was an international success, garnishing many awards and critical acclaim. The success of that film prompted Neil to start the film company Taqqut Productions with his publishing colleagues, Louise Flaherty and Danny Christopher. Neil currently lives with his family in the capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit.
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RELATED LINKS
Website | https://taqqut.com
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/taqqut
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0CFir9CFmiX8dotadvOb_w/videos
Vimeo | https://vimeo.com/taqqut
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