Recently, Selkirk artist Dana Solomon appeared in two films premiering at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In addition to starring in Blood Lines, a Métis romance, Solomon is presenting her short film Niimi at the festival.
“Niimi is my directorial debut […] I’m really thrilled, [there] has been a lot of hard work that went into this and I’m really glad it’s being celebrated on a big international platform,” said Solomon.
In Niimi, which means ‘she dances’ in Ojibwe, Solomon portrays Skye, an Indigenous ballet dancer who is sexually assaulted by her coach. Skye is initially put off by ballet after the traumatic incident, but she later meets a group of women who help her rediscover her love for dance.
Although the film depicts a fictional story, Solomon commented that it was inspired by her experience as a dancer and how the art form has been therapeutic for her.
“I wanted to create a film about how dance can be healing, and how movement is medicine and how trauma and healing from trauma is not linear,” she said. “It can be quite messy, but you can find strength in community, and you can relearn and rediscover yourself in a new way.” Solomon is an Anishinaabe member of the Sagkeeng First Nation and Guyanese on her father’s side. Before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dance at York University, she took classes at the famed Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. Solomon said she sometimes felt isolated as an Indigenous ballet dancer, but her heritage now deeply influences her work.
“I’m very proud of both cultures, and it has informed all the work that I do. It’s in every fabric of my being and every fabric of my work,” said Solomon.
“One of my biggest goals is to increase representation in film and TV [and promote] Indigenous stories told by us, and we are scratching the surface,” she said. “There’s so much more to come […] It’s so important for us to see ourselves [on] TV.”
Currently, Solomon hopes to expand Niimi into a feature film while continuing to act in different projects. Outside of film, Solomon also created First Fire, an Indigenous dance program that explores themes such as residential schools and resilience through movement.
When asked about advice for aspiring filmmakers, Solomon emphasized the importance of patience and perseverance.
“I used to think that when you get into [film], things happen quickly, because that’s how it appears sometimes, but it’s a long-term game. It’s a marathon, not a race,” she reflected.
“It’s a lot of dedicated time honing your craft, investing in yourself and working toward your goals […] Just keep at it, because you never know what’s around the corner.”
Niimi premieres at TIFF on Sept. 10 and will be showing again on Sept. 13.
