Experiencing Interruptions?

Ellavut Cimirtuq [our world is changing]

(Yupik Pronounciation: Chla-vut jee-mik-tuk) As the village of Quinhagak works to save save its cultural artifacts from washing into the Bering Sea, a local filmmaker explores her community’s relationship with its language, and ways of life in Southwest Alaska.

- Directed by Jacqueline Cleveland, Mischa Hedges & Sonia Luokkala

  • Mischa Hedges
    Director
    Of The Sea, Women's March, Seeker of Truth, Sustainable Table
  • Jacqueline Cleveland
    Director
  • Sonia Luokkala
    Director
  • Mischa Hedges
    Producer
    Of The Sea, Women's March, Seeker of Truth, Sustainable Table
  • Alex Albers
    Editor
    Complicated, Perfect Sweat, Women's March, Beakman & Jok
  • Mischa Hedges
    Cinematography
  • Jacqueline Cleveland
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Climate Change, Environment, Indigenous, Alaska Native
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 9, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    75,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Anchorage International Film Festival
    Anchorage, Alaska
    United States
    December 2, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Doclands Documentary Film Festival
    San Rafael, California
    United States
    May 4, 2024
    California Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Denali Film Festival
    Denali National Park, Alaska
    United States
    June 7, 2024
    WINNER - Best Overall Film & Best Documentary Short
Distribution Information
  • New Day Films
    Distributor
    Country: United States
Director Biography - Mischa Hedges, Jacqueline Cleveland, Sonia Luokkala

Jacqueline Cleveland is a Yupik documentary filmmaker living in Quinhagak, Alaska. She serves on her village's Tribal Council and uses film and photography to share the stories of her community.

Mischa Hedges is an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Northern California. His passion is telling stories that raise social and environmental awareness and inspire people to action to make the world a better place to live.

Sonia Luokkala is a Photojournalist and writer of Finnish-Amazigh descent. She has covered indigenous and environmental topics for over a decade. In the far north, she has come to witness how fundamentally the climate crisis is altering the human experience.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Our filmmaking team believes in inclusivity and equality, and always strives to hold and include these values in our work. With this film, we know that is more important than ever. We are striving to include diverse perspectives in the film itself and throughout the filmmaking process – in gender, race, indigeneity, cultural identity, religion, and beyond.