CHARITY
Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF) 2025: Celebrating Cultural Preservation, Language, and Indigenous Heritage
Hollywood, California – October 2025 — The Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF) proudly announces its 2025 edition, continuing its mission to preserve and promote indigenous culture, language, and storytelling through the cinematic arts.
Founded by Freda Sideroff, the festival stands as a global platform for unity, awareness, and representation of Indigenous and Garifuna voices across the world.
This year’s festival brings together award-winning filmmakers, visionaries, and cultural advocates from diverse nations — including Honduras, Belize, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, and the Caribbean.
🎟️ Tickets are now available via FilmFreeway:
👉 https://filmfreeway.com/GarifunaInternationalIndigenousFilmFestival/tickets
About the Festival
The Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF) is a global celebration of indigenous creativity and resilience. It provides an essential space for filmmakers to share stories that highlight themes of heritage, cultural survival, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.
Since its founding, GIIFF has become a cultural beacon, uniting filmmakers, scholars, and activists dedicated to protecting indigenous traditions and amplifying voices that have too often been silenced.
“The essence of our culture is lost if knowledge is not passed down into the next generation,”
— Freda Sideroff, Founder & CEO, GIIFF
Virtual Screening Highlights: GIIFF 2025 Official Selections
This year’s Official Selections include over 25 films spanning the globe — from intimate short films to award-winning documentaries. Among the featured titles:
🎬 “Searching for the Songs of Wanaragua” (Honduras/United States) – Directed by Eli LaBan and Cesar Vargas Sabio, this moving exploration of Garifuna folklores preserves the rhythmic storytelling traditions of a resilient people.
🎬 “Ring Shout – Let The Circle Be Unbroken” (USA) – Directed by Olubayo Jackson, this short film dives into the spiritual and cultural continuities of African diaspora traditions in America.
🎬 “The Long Walk: A Dance with Humanities” (USA) – Directors Philip Lawrence and Edison Eskeets blend movement and narrative in this cinematic reflection on humanity and perseverance.
🎬 “Nunami, Where the Wind Sings” (Canada) – Directed by Christian Lalumière, a musical journey through the heart of Indigenous Canadian landscapes.
🎬 “The Soucouyant” (Antigua and Barbuda) – Directed by Michael Garcia and Jeron Bailey, this Caribbean folklore piece explores myth, identity, and community through vivid storytelling.
🎬 “A Sacred Thread” (USA) – Directed by Brooks Bennett, weaving a narrative around faith, tradition, and the interconnectedness of all people.
🎬 “Boodjara” (Australia) – Directed by Hugh Sando, presented in an Indigenous language, this film highlights the survival of cultural expression through native storytelling.
🎬 “Voices of Pachamama” (Peru) – Directed by Louis Lam, paying tribute to the land, the ancestors, and the sacred power of nature.
From Taiwan to Peru, Bolivia to Belize, and across the Caribbean, the festival continues to showcase films that embody authenticity, resistance, and hope.
A Global Platform for Cultural Empowerment
Through its annual programming, GIIFF remains committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue and nurturing the next generation of storytellers. The 2025 virtual edition will feature:
- 🎥 Film screenings & Q&A sessions
- 🌍 Panel discussions on Indigenous heritage, language, and cultural survival
- 🎶 Live performances & cultural showcases
- 🗣️ Workshops on indigenous filmmaking, preservation, and education
The virtual experience ensures accessibility to audiences worldwide, continuing the festival’s dedication to inclusivity and education.
About the Founder: Freda Sideroff
Freda Sideroff, founder and executive director of GIIFF, is a Belizean-born cultural leader who now resides in California. Her lifelong work centers on the preservation of the Garifuna language and identity, as well as promoting unity among Indigenous peoples globally.
Freda’s vision for GIIFF is deeply rooted in ancestral resilience and the belief that storytelling is a bridge between generations. Together with her husband, Dr. Stephen Sideroff, a UCLA professor and psychologist, she continues to lead efforts that empower cultural preservation and healing through art and community engagement.
Event Details
📅 Date: Starts November 18, 2025 – 7:00 PM, Ends December 18, 2025 – 10:00 PM
🌍 Format: Virtual Event
🎟️ Tickets: filmfreeway.com/GarifunaInternationalIndigenousFilmFestival/tickets
📞 Contact: (310) 663-5813
📬 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 335, Topanga, CA 90290
🌐 Website: www.garifunafilmfestival.com
📧 Email: info@garifunafilmfestival.com
