Gwaai Edenshaw

A master storyteller of Haida heritage, Gwaai Edenshaw was born in 1977 in Haida Gwaii, an archipelago on the northern Pacific coast of Canada. Active as a director since the early 2000s, he's renowned for his works in animation and drama genres, with his most famous films including "SGaawaay K'uuna" (Edge of the Knife), the first feature film in the Haida language, and "The Bear," a short animation. Despite not having won major film festival awards, his distinct authorial style, rooted in the rich indigenous storytelling tradition and his commitment to cultural preservation, has earned him widespread recognition. Gwaai Edenshaw is an artist who pours his soul into every frame, ensuring his culture's stories continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.