Congratulations to Noel-Leigh Cockney, and Co-Producer, Inuvialuit Communications Society for winning the inaugural Northern Filmmaking Award for THE WANDERING SOUL / NAPPATA SANGUUYAQSINAQTUAQ at the 2025 Yellowknife International Film Festival.

This award is presented in partnership with the NWT Film Commission and celebrates excellence in filmmakers from the Northwest Territories.

The film's director, Noel-Leigh Cockney, and Co-Producer, Inuvialuit Communications Society (represented by ICS Exec. Director, Tamara Voudrach), were in attendance for the screening and accepted the award on behalf of the film. Missing from the team was filmmaker Henna Taylor who is based in Colorado, and ICS Director of Photography, David Stewart.

Directed by Noel-Leigh and Henna, the film centers Noel, his family history, his relationship to the land, and his journey as an on-the-land instructor and mentor to Inuvialuit and Gwich'in Youth.

ICS is very proud that this story is reaching wider audiences, and the message of promoting the practice of our culture and languages is being heard.

The film will be available online for public viewing soon. Learn more here.