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Watch the film The film
A feature documentary following Kristal Parke's personal exploration of Indigenous adoption, family, identity and belonging.
The approach
James's direction and cinematography stay close to Kristal and her family while allowing the larger questions around adoption and identity to unfold through lived experience. Filmed across two years, the documentary pairs intimate family material with controlled interview work.
Watch the filmProject details
- Release
- 2021–2024
- Category
- Documentary
- Tags
About the documentary
Family, identity and the search for belonging.
Kristal Parke sets out to understand how adoption shaped her connection to family, identity and Indigenous belonging.
Filmed over two years, the documentary follows Kristal through family conversations and the questions that come with reconnecting.
James directed, produced and photographed the film, pairing intimate family material with carefully filmed interviews.
Recognition
-
Gil Cardinal Documentary Feature Award - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, 2024 -
Best Canadian Documentary - Vancouver International Movie Awards, 2024 -
Outstanding Excellence - Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, 2024 -
Best Editing, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024 -
3rd Place, Feature Documentary - Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024 -
Canadian Premiere / Selected - Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, Metro Cinema Edmonton, 2024 -
NYC Premiere / Selected - Adoptee Film Festival, New York City, 2025 -
Community screening - Kikiwak Inn, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba, 2024
- Gil Cardinal Documentary Feature Award — Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, 2024
- Best Canadian Documentary — Vancouver International Movie Awards, 2024
- Outstanding Excellence — Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, 2024
- Best Editing, Feature Documentary — Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024
- 3rd Place, Feature Documentary — Okanagan Screen Awards, 2024
- Canadian Premiere / Selected — Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival, Metro Cinema Edmonton, 2024
- NYC Premiere / Selected — Adoptee Film Festival, New York City, 2025
- Community screening — Kikiwak Inn, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba, 2024
Additional credits
- Subject
- Kristal Parke
- Director / Cinematographer / Producer
- James Alton
Behind the scenes
From the production.
Finished frames and behind-the-scenes photographs from the shoot.