Yintah is a 2024 Canadian documentary film directed by Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, and Michael Toledano. The film follows the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation as they work to protect their traditional lands from the development of pipelines. The documentary provides an in-depth look at this ongoing fight, using real footage of the land and its people to tell the story.
The film has already made waves at several film festivals, including its premiere in March 2024 at the True/False Film Festival. It also had its Canadian debut at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, where it won the Rogers Audience Award. Additionally, Yintah received honorable mentions at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival for both the Colin Low Award and the Elevate Award.
Where Was Yintah Filmed?
Yintah is unique in that it uses real footage from important locations connected to the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation. The film captures the powerful landscapes that the Wetʼsuwetʼen people are fighting to protect. This includes actual clips of the traditional lands in British Columbia, Canada, where the First Nation lives.
The film also features scenes filmed in Vancouver, Canada. This is where some of the additional production work took place, giving the documentary a broader scope and showing both the rural and urban aspects of the story.
Wetʼsuwetʼen Traditional Lands, British Columbia
The documentary includes clips of the Wetʼsuwetʼen people’s traditional lands, which are located in the central interior of British Columbia. These lands are central to the story, as the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation has long fought against pipeline developments that threaten their environment and way of life.
The natural beauty of the forests, rivers, and mountains in this area plays a significant role in the film, serving as both a backdrop and a key element of the Wetʼsuwetʼen people’s identity.
These scenes are crucial because they show the real impact of the developments and the importance of the land to the Wetʼsuwetʼen people.
Vancouver, Canada
In addition to the footage from British Columbia, parts of Yintah were filmed in Vancouver. The city is a major production hub in Canada, and it was used to film various parts of the documentary that helped tell the full story of the Wetʼsuwetʼen people’s struggle. The urban scenes filmed in Vancouver show how the issue of land protection resonates far beyond the rural areas, affecting people across the country.
When Did Filming Take Place?
Filming for Yintah took place in 2023, using a mix of real-time footage of the Wetʼsuwetʼen lands and additional scenes filmed in Vancouver. The film carefully combines these locations to tell a compelling story of resistance and preservation.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where was Yintah filmed?
A: Yintah was filmed in British Columbia on the traditional lands of the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation. Additional scenes were filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
Q: What is the main focus of the documentary Yintah?
A: The documentary focuses on the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation’s fight to protect their traditional lands from pipeline developments.
Q: When did Yintah premiere?
A: Yintah premiered in March 2024 at the True/False Film Festival and had its Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
Q: Did Yintah receive any awards?
A: Yes, Yintah won the Rogers Audience Award at Hot Docs and received honorable mentions for the Colin Low Award and the Elevate Award at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival.