'Nika & Madison’ Director on Native Resilience, U.S. DEI Rollback

Canada ’s years-in-the-making efforts to advance First Nations filmmakers is paying off this week at the Whistler Film Festival.

Nika & Madison director Eva Thomas is screening her first solo feature about two young indigenous women — played in the feature by Ellyn Jade and Star Slade — who are forced on the run after a violent encounter with a predatory cop. Their flight from the law becomes a feminist crime thriller set around an indigenous sisterhood, and a feature adaptation of Thomas’ earlier short film Redlights .

Canada ’s years-in-the-making efforts to advance First Nations filmmakers is paying off this week at the Whistler Film Festival.

Nika & Madison director Eva Thomas is screening her first solo feature about two young indigenous women — played in the feature b