Documentary Short

4:3 Standard Definition

Explosive and dynamic the Alaska Native Games share an ancient past. Record holders and top athletes from around Alaska compete at the World Eskimo and Indian Olympics where they reach for their personal best and continue the traditions of their ancestors.

Directors: Jonathon Stanton/ Phillip Blanchett

Producers: Jonathan Stanton, Phillip Blanchett, Steven Alvarez

Background

Since premiering at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco in 2004, TO PLAY THE GAMES has screened to festival goers around North America and Europe as well as making daily screenings at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian during the summer 2007 film program.

The film was awarded the 'Best of Snowdance' for best documentary short film at the Anchorage International Film Festival in 2004.

Filming took place in only five days during the World Eskimo & Indian Olympics in Fairbanks, Alaska, with four cameras running around the clock. Eight months of post-production slowly whittled the footage down to its current :26 minute length. The films extensive use of white screen studio shots provides its trademark look while the upbeat music of award winning PAMYUA forms its hoppin' soundtrack.