PassesAccessibility
2026
Short Narrative(Philadelphia Premiere)

We Act Like Children (Abinoojiikaasmin)

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A film still from We Act Like Children shows two Anishinaabe children sitting in a brown tent. The girl on the right wears a red plaid flannel shirt and has her hair pulled back in a braid. She is looking towards the older boy on the left who is facing the camera. He wears a teal plaid flannel over a green shirt. On the floor of the tent, there’s a small table and a collection of colorful blankets.
Play Trailer

Two children, or perhaps elders, a brother and a sister, have built a home on an island beyond time itself. Their days consist of fishing, foraging, making art and finding new medicines, though imminent climate collapse and the lives they’ve left behind weigh heavily on them both. Through conflict and collaboration, they come to an understanding within the teachings of the Anishinaabe adzookaanag, prophecies and legends, that led them to the island in the first place. The siblings must learn to make peace with their fear of annihilation and choose to live in a good way — to honor the prophecy that, as long as there are Anishinaabe, the world will not end.

Screenings

Virtual

Availability BeginsSaturday, August 87:30PM EDT

Directors Spotlight

Evelyn Pakinewatik

Director

Evelyn Pakinewatik is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist. Their practice is motivated by interconnectivity and reciprocity as they seek to practice anti-colonial survivance through an inclusive lens.

Year
2026
Runtime
13 minutes
Country
Canada
Language
English
Director
Evelyn Pakinewatik
Screenwriters
Evelyn Pakinewatik, Rosalie Mianskum, Tayton Mianskum
Producers
Tara Levesque, Dennis Landry
Executive Producer
Evelyn Pakinewatik
Cast
Rosalie Mianskum, Tayton Mianskum
Cinematographer
Morgana McKenzie
Editor
Morgana McKenzie
Production Design
Kim Nash
Composer
Kayla Briët
Sound Design
Gavin Whelehan
Premiere
Philadelphia

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