In Northern Alberta, Canada, sit the Athabasca tar sands—the world's largest known reservoir of crude bitumen, and a major driver of Canada’s economy. The vast majority of Canadian oil production comes from the extraction and processing of the crude bitumen found in the tar sands. But while Canada prospers off the tar sands industry, Indigenous communities downstream are in the grips of its toxic impact. It is well documented that the people of Fort Chipewyan, in northern Alberta, have been struck by disproportionately high rates of cancer, and their proximity to the tar sands has long been the suspected dominant factor contributing to their sickness.
In a new feature documentary, "Killer Water," award-winning journalist Brandi Morin and award-winning filmmaker/director Geordie Day delve deep into the heart of the environmental crisis plaguing the Alberta oil sands, uncovering the hidden truths that have long been ignored. The film exposes the detrimental impact of toxic tailings ponds leakage on the delicate ecosystems, water sources, and human life in and around Fort Chipewyan. Through stunning visuals and compelling narratives, viewers are taken on a journey that highlights the injustices faced by the Indigenous community living in the shadow of this industrial development.
“Killer Water” was produced in partnership with The Real News Network, IndigiNews, and Ricochet Media.
The International Journalism Film Festival is presented by Ink-stained Wretches, a grassroots volunteer advocacy group working to build a culture of appreciation for quality journalism. The group was formed in early 2020 by a handful of former news workers at the Waterloo Region Record.
The festival is designed to help raise awareness of United Nations World Press Freedom Day.
This year's WPFD theme is "A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis."
Now in the festival's second year, the wretches have partnered with students and faculty at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, to make the festival an international event.
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