FEBRUARY 8, 2023
Vancouver, BC – Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc. announced that Bones of Crows, the feature film written and directed by award-winning Métis/Dene filmmaker Marie Clements had it's US premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9th, 2023 & an additional screened on February 11th, 2023. This was the first screening of the film outside of Canada. After SBIFF, the team heads to Berlin for the European Film Market where the film screened as a part of Perspectives Canada on February 19th, 2023.
Bones of Crows is a multi-generational epic story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Secwépemc actor Grace Dove; and Carla Rae). Removed from their family home and forced into Canada’s residential school system, young musical prodigy Aline and her siblings are plunged into a struggle for survival. Over the next hundred years, Aline and her descendants fight against systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse — and to build a more just future. Bones of Crows stars Grace Dove (Alaska Daily), Phillip Forest Lewitski (Wildhood), Rémy Girard (District 31), Karine Vanasse (Cardinal), Alyssa Wapanatâhk (Peter Pan), Michelle Thrush (Prey), Gail Maurice (Night Raiders), Cara Gee (The Expanse), TIFF Rising Star Joshua Odjick, and a fantastic cast of Indigenous talent from across the country.
"Ahead of our theatrical release this spring we’ve been honored to be sharing Bones of Crows at festivals across Canada while also igniting a deeper conversation as a part of a growing community tour that started in British Columbia and is making its way across the country. We are now thrilled to be screening to an international audience with the US premiere of Bones of Crows at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and beyond,” says Clements. The dramatic feature film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and has been received with acclaim from audiences around the world at film festivals including VIFF, Cinéfest, CIFF, and more. Bones of Crows is also accompanied by a five part mini-series commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN that is set to debut in 2023. Marie Clements was in attendance at SBIFF along with lead actor Grace Dove, who recently wrapped filming on Tom McCarthy’s ABC drama series Alaska Daily, which she stars in alongside Hilary Swank. Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler from Screen Siren Pictures was in attendance for the screening in Berlin at EFM as well.
Bones of Crows is produced by Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc, with Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions. The film is written, directed, and produced by Marie Clements, Produced by Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler, and Executive Produced by Sam Grana, Aaron Gilbert, Steven Thibault, Noah Segal, and Associate Produced by Leena Minifie and Kerriann Cardinal. Bones of Crows is being distributed by Elevation Pictures in Canada. Bones of Crows is a CBC/Radio-Canada original production, produced with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, ISO (Indigenous Screen Office), APTN, Société Radio-Canada, Rogers Telefund, Independent Production Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund, Bell Fund, Creative BC, First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Cultural Council and Indigenous Arts Program, the BC Arts Council, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC, Quebec Production Services Tax Credit, and The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. https://bonesofcrows.com/
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For Media Inquiries:
Canada Elevation Pictures
International Nicola Pender - Pender PR
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