Paddington in Peru

Our traditional EFF Opening Ceremony will take place in the State Theater on Thursday, March 13th at 6:30 PM (please note the time change from 7 PM). We will kick off with a performance from Waabani Noodin Drum, remarks from Indigenous cultural leaders & representatives from Ely Film Festival and Ely's Historic State Theater, followed by a showing of the regional documentary film Electric Indian. Filmmaker Leya Hale will be in attendance, with a special appearance by Keith Secola who scored the film! Q&A after the film will be followed by a live concert with Keith Secola and friends.

A documentary from filmmaker Leya Hale, The Electric Indian follows Ojibwe hockey legend, Henry Boucha. A stand-out hockey star from Warroad, Minnesota, Boucha impressed on the ice from the 1969 Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament to the 1972 Olympics to the NHL, but an on-ice assault and injury ended his athletic career that unexpectedly led to a journey of healing and cultural reclamation.

A documentary from filmmaker Leya Hale, The Electric Indian follows Ojibwe hockey legend, Henry Boucha. A stand-out hockey star from Warroad, Minnesota, Boucha impressed on the ice from the 1969 Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament to the 1972 Olympics to the NHL, but an on-ice assault and injury ended his athletic career that unexpectedly led to a journey of healing and cultural reclamation.

This showing will open with the short film "The Gift": Daniel is a young Sámi man who always knew he wanted to be a reindeer herder. The only problem is that his family is not involved in reindeer herding, and he doesn't know how to reach his dream. "The Gift" is a film that lends insight into modern day reindeer herding practices and Sámi traditions. But first and foremost, it's a story about trust, friendship and the liberating power of giving. Filmed in the Árjepluovi region of the unceded territory of Sápmi.

In the not-so-distant future of 2084, Ángel finds himself trapped as a climate migrant in an unspecified smart city, under constant surveillance. Amidst a bleak and oppressive existence, Ángel makes a living by cultivating plants, preserving the fading wisdom of seeds.

Within this desolate landscape he crosses paths with Sofia, another climate migrant who works at a recycling facility. Fate intertwines their lives when a chance encounter reveals an unexpected connection: a shared language.

Fueling Ángel's longing for human connection and a glimmer of hope, he reaches out to Sofia. Aware of the omnipresent digital monitoring, Ángel decides to communicate with her through the timeless medium of pen and paper, fostering an intimate, clandestine bond.

As their secret correspondence unfolds, a friendship grows between Ángel and Sofia as does their desire for liberation from excessive control.