Govt. Of Canada Celebrates Rich Diversity Of Polar Region At International Polar Year Film Festival

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Sept. 28, 2009 – The Government of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Film Institute and Library and Archives Canada, is hosting a three-day film festival at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa, September 28-30, 2009 to celebrate International Polar Year and raise awareness of Arctic research.”Canada has been a major contributor to International Polar Year. Working with international partners, we are helping to further our understanding of the North and the health and well-being of our northern communities,” said Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians. “The films featured in this festival allow us to see first-hand the important research being done in the Arctic and the many challenges and opportunities facing the region in the 21st century.”

“The Canadian Film Institute is honoured to be part of the International Polar Year Film Festival, a collection of films that reveal the natural wonders of the polar region, the vital importance of this part of our country to questions of climate change, and the valuable scientific research happening under its arctic skies. Moving images have always had the power to educate while they amaze, and vice-versa. As your will see, the moving images in this festival are educational as well as breathtakingly beautiful,” says CFI Executive Director, Tom McSorley.

The International Polar Year Film Festival brings together a variety of Canadian films exploring the issues and activities of International Polar Year 2007-2008. The Festival will celebrate the rich diversity of the polar region, its history, people and land.

This release is also available on the Internet at www.inac.gc.ca

For more information, please contact

Canadian Film Institute
Tom McSorley, Director
613-232-6727

or

Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160