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Farhan Umedaly

@vovoproductions

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@vovoproductions is an award-winning film production house focused on catalyzing positive change through filmmaking.
Working Regions: Globally

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What started in 2017 with a grant application has grown into something powerful: 705+ Indigenous storytellers trained, 254+ films produced, and 23+ communities across BC and Alberta given the tools to share their own voices.

This program has always been about more than cameras. It's about confidence, community, and Indigenous people seeing themselves as creators of their own stories.

Thank you to every participant who showed up with courage, every community that welcomed us in, and every partner who made this possible — especially @storyhive who has been with us since the very beginning.

We are now actively seeking new partners and supporters to help keep this program going and reach even more communities. If you or your organization believe in Indigenous storytelling and want to be part of what comes next, please reach out. @empoweredfilmmaker

🔗 empoweredfilmmaker.com

#EmpoweredFilmmaker #IndigenousFilm #IndigenousStorytelling #IndigenousCreatives #FilmTraining #BCFilm #AlbertaFilm #IndigenousYouth #CommunityStorytelling #9Years #IndigenousVoices #TELUS #STORYHIVE #StorytellingMatters #ismaili taken in Canada by @vovoproductions

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a month ago

Happy International Dog Day @skeenabobeena our mascot and emotional support dog for @empoweredfilmmaker taken in Cox Bay, Tofino, BC by @vovoproductions

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2 months ago

🎬 Learn to make a film in just 5 days! Applications are now open for the TELUS STORYHIVE Empowered Filmmaker program!

Ready to tell your story? This hands-on, Indigenous-focused film program provides training, equipment and mentorship. This year’s program is open to residents in Revelstoke and Fort St. John, British Columbia, as well as Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Led by filmmaker Farhan Umedaly, this 5 day intensive workshop will teach you the skills to create your own short film—culminating in a community film festival with awards, camera giveaways and more.

Applications are open until each program is full. Stay updated on availability at the link in our bio. by @vovoproductions

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8 months ago

✨ Meet the recipients of the TELUS STORYHIVE Emerging Talent Awards at this year's Empowered Filmmaker program!

For this month’s Cover Star feature, we’re thrilled to highlight three incredible filmmakers from the TELUS STORYHIVE Empowered Filmmaker program — an inclusive, Indigenous-focused film program that provides training, equipment and mentorship to Indigenous communities across B.C. and Alberta.

The TELUS STORYHIVE Emerging Talent Award is an award given to filmmakers with an outstanding project in the Empowered Filmmaker program who demonstrate a readiness to accelerate their filmmaking practice to the next level.

We’re honoured and thrilled to celebrate the achievements of these filmmakers and their powerful stories.

🎬 “Healing With Resilience” | Stephanie Holmes Holmes and Kristen Bob
🎬 “My Story” | Ruben Christopher & Floyd Dick
🎬 “The People Under the Bridge” | Jory Charlebois, June Many Grey Horses & Aaron Devine

Visit the STORYHIVE blog at the link in our bio to read the full feature. by @vovoproductions

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a year ago

I was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for my work supporting Indigenous rights and our natural world.

As an #Ismaili, I was raised with the value of #service — our volunteers once wore badges that read “Work No Words.” It’s an ethos I try to live by.

As a solo #filmmaker, I’ve found new meaning in life by supporting Indigenous communities to tell their own stories, reclaim their narratives, and protect their languages, cultures, and lands — all through the power of a lens.

I’m honoured to stand alongside incredible recipients, and I take this as a reminder to keep doing the work — quietly, purposefully, and in service.

@vovoproductions @empoweredfilmmaker taken in West Vancouver, British Columbia by @vovoproductions

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a year ago

MMIWG2S PSA: Remember. Honour. Act. #indigenousjustice
#empoweredfilmmaker
#everychildmatters
#IndigenousLivesMatter
#MMIWCanada
#MMIWAwareness
#NoMoreStolenSisters
#MMIWGAwareness
#kamloopsindianresidentialschool
#Kamloops
#Reconciliation
#KristaCutarm
#OceannElsie
#arthurpaul
#FarhanUmedaly
#Indigenous
#reddressday
#MMIWG2S by @vovoproductions

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a year ago

The story of the indigenous Gitanyow people and their struggle to protect their traditional lands and "food table" in the face of climate change, industrialization and colonization in Northern British Columbia.

"HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" was a solo film project, by @vovoproductions in partnership with @gitanyowchiefs that helped launch the Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area, protecting Gitanyow land from industrial destruction. The film has been instrumental in challenging BC's colonial mining laws, which allow corporations to stake claims on Indigenous land without consent—laws now being fought in the Supreme Court of Canada.

More than just a documentary, "HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" connects colonization, industrialization, and climate change, answering questions many Canadians are ashamed to ask: Why were reserves created? Why were Indigenous children taken and sent to residential schools? What is the real story behind the band system vs. hereditary leadership? Through Indigenous voices and lived experiences, the film exposes the colonial legacy that fuels today’s environmental crises.

Catch the Surrey premiere of "HA NII TOKXW: OUR FOOD TABLE" (39 min) at Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025
Director: Farhan Umedaly
Producer: Farhan Umedaly
Friday, April 11, 2025
12:00 PM
Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford
Program Block: Reclaiming Futures: A Call to Protect and Preserve
Tickets (link in bio): https://www.goelevent.com/sundarprize/e/Reclaiming-Futures

#sundarprize #sundarprizefilmfestival #spff2025 #filmfestival #haniitokxw #ourfoodtable #farhanumedaly #vovoproductions #reclaimingfutures #indigenous #gitanyow #meziadin #canada #indigenousfilm #shortfilm #lifeinmotion #journeysofgrowthanddiscovery #storytelling #socialjustice #filmmaking #salish #coastsalish #vancouver #surrey taken in Landmark Cinemas 12 Guildford Surrey by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago

The story of the indigenous Gitanyow people and their struggle to protect their traditional lands and "food table" in the face of climate change, industrialization and colonization in Northern British Columbia.

"HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" was a solo film project, by @vovoproductions in partnership with @gitanyowchiefs that helped launch the Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area, protecting Gitanyow land from industrial destruction. The film has been instrumental in challenging BC's colonial mining laws, which allow corporations to stake claims on Indigenous land without consent—laws now being fought in the Supreme Court of Canada.

More than just a documentary, "HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" connects colonization, industrialization, and climate change, answering questions many Canadians are ashamed to ask: Why were reserves created? Why were Indigenous children taken and sent to residential schools? What is the real story behind the band system vs. hereditary leadership? Through Indigenous voices and lived experiences, the film exposes the colonial legacy that fuels today’s environmental crises.

Catch the Surrey premiere of "HA NII TOKXW: OUR FOOD TABLE" (39 min) at Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025
Director: Farhan Umedaly
Producer: Farhan Umedaly
Friday, April 11, 2025
12:00 PM
Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford
Program Block: Reclaiming Futures: A Call to Protect and Preserve
Tickets (link in bio): https://www.goelevent.com/sundarprize/e/Reclaiming-Futures

#sundarprize #sundarprizefilmfestival #spff2025 #filmfestival #haniitokxw #ourfoodtable #farhanumedaly #vovoproductions #reclaimingfutures #indigenous #gitanyow #meziadin #canada #indigenousfilm #shortfilm #lifeinmotion #journeysofgrowthanddiscovery #storytelling #socialjustice #filmmaking #salish #coastsalish #vancouver #surrey A promotional film still for HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table featuring a wide aerial view of a lush valley surrounded by forests and snow-capped mountains under a vibrant blue sky. A yellow tape label with black text reading "FILM SCREENING" is in the top right corner. Below the photo is the film title, director, and screening details: HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table, dir. Farhan Umedaly, Apr 11, 12:00 PM, Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford. In the bottom right corner is the Sundar Prize Film Festival logomark. taken in Landmark Cinemas 12 Guildford Surrey by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago

🎬 Learn to make a film in just 5 days! Applications are now open for the TELUS STORYHIVE Empowered Filmmaker program!

Ready to tell your story? This hands-on, Indigenous-focused film program provides training, equipment and mentorship. This year's program is open to residents in 100 Mile House (Williams Lake) and Prince George, British Columbia, as well as Fort McMurray and Lethbridge, Alberta.

Led by filmmaker Farhan Umedaly, this 5 day intensive workshop will teach you the skills to create your own short film—culminating in a community film festival with awards, camera giveaways and more.

Applications are open until each program is full.
Stay updated on availability at empoweredfilmmaker.com.
🔗 Link in bio for more. by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago

The story of the indigenous Gitanyow people and their struggle to protect their traditional lands and "food table" in the face of climate change, industrialization and colonization in Northern British Columbia.

"HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" was a solo film project, by @vovoproductions in partnership with @gitanyowchiefs that helped launch the Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area, protecting Gitanyow land from industrial destruction. The film has been instrumental in challenging BC's colonial mining laws, which allow corporations to stake claims on Indigenous land without consent—laws now being fought in the Supreme Court of Canada.

More than just a documentary, "HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table" connects colonization, industrialization, and climate change, answering questions many Canadians are ashamed to ask: Why were reserves created? Why were Indigenous children taken and sent to residential schools? What is the real story behind the band system vs. hereditary leadership? Through Indigenous voices and lived experiences, the film exposes the colonial legacy that fuels today’s environmental crises.

Catch the Surrey premiere of "HA NII TOKXW: OUR FOOD TABLE" (39 min) at Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025
Director: Farhan Umedaly
Producer: Farhan Umedaly
Friday, April 11, 2025
12:00 PM
Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford
Program Block: Reclaiming Futures: A Call to Protect and Preserve
Tickets (link in bio): https://www.goelevent.com/sundarprize/e/Reclaiming-Futures

#sundarprize #sundarprizefilmfestival #spff2025 #filmfestival #haniitokxw #ourfoodtable #farhanumedaly #vovoproductions #reclaimingfutures #indigenous #gitanyow #meziadin #canada #indigenousfilm #shortfilm #lifeinmotion #journeysofgrowthanddiscovery #storytelling #socialjustice #filmmaking #salish #coastsalish #vancouver #surrey A promotional film still for "HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table," directed by Farhan Umedaly. The image showcases a breathtaking mountain landscape with rolling hills and a winding river stretching into the distance beneath a vibrant blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. In the foreground, a figure dressed in traditional Indigenous regalia, adorned with a black and red cloak featuring white skull patterns, stands on rocky terrain holding a wooden staff. Below the image, the text provides screening details: "HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table, dir. Farhan Umedaly, Apr 11, 12:00 PM, Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford." In the bottom right corner is the Sundar Prize Film Festival logomark. taken in Landmark Cinemas 12 Guildford Surrey by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago

We are deeply honoured that HA NII TOKXW: Our Food Table has been officially selected for the Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025. 🎬✨

This film unpacks the deep connections between climate, industrialization, and colonization, tackling questions many of us hesitate to ask. Featuring environmental icon Dr. David Suzuki by @gitanyowchiefs and @vovoproductions - it highlights the urgent need to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all.

Grateful to be part of sharing this story and to see it recognized by a festival committed to impactful storytelling. @sundarprize

#SundarPrize2025 #OurFoodTable #GitanyowChiefs #VoVoProductions #ProtectTheSacred #climatejustice #indigenous #britishcolumbia #protectedareas #nature #salmon #grizzly #wolf #awardwinning #documentaryfilm #documentary #filmfestival taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago

Discover 35 new Indigenous-led films!

This year, the TELUS STORYHIVE Empowered Filmmaker program journeyed to four communities—Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and Cranbrook. Over the course of a month, new and emerging Indigenous filmmakers learned how to make a short film from concept to release. Watch 35 new films from the program now on TELUS Optik TV channel 9, Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel!

Find out more now on the STORYHIVE blog (at the link in bio)! by @vovoproductions

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2 years ago