Bee Nation
2017 • 78’ • Canada
The heart-warming BEE NATION documents the Canadian First Nations Provincial Spelling Bee championship, and follows the highs and lows of children and parents who strive not only to win the Regionals but to go on and, for the first time ever, represent their indigenous community on the National stage.
Director / Producer:
Lana Slezic
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HotDocs 2017
– Opening Night Film
– Top Ten Audience PickNorth West Fest 2017
– Top Ten Audience FavouriteCinemuskoka Festival 2017
– Winner Best DocumentaryYorkton Film Festival 2018
– Best Director
– Best Documentary POV [Nominee]Christie Pits Film Festival 2017
Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival 2017
Cinefest Sudbury 2017
Doqumenta International Documentary Festival 2017
Aspen Film Fest 2017
HotDocs Docs For Schools 2017
Sante Fe Independent Film Festival 2017
Heartland Film Festival 2017
Marda Loop Justice Film Festival 2017
Belleville Downtown DocFest 2018
Florida Film Festival 2018
Native FilmFest 2018
RiverRun International Film Festival 2018
Sebastopol Film Festival 2018
Seattle International Film Festival 2018 -
“There’s no question Bee Nation accomplishes its mission beautifully.”
— Roger Ebert“Slezic’s first feature-length film is a winner: warm, charming and illuminating.”
— Toronto Star“A really smart crowd pleaser.”— In the Seats
“Extra charming.”
— The Gate“Slezic’s optimistic film does reveal some consciousness of the larger problem, that balancing economic prosperity and traditional life may prove tricky for these kids.”— The Globe & Mail
“An engaging and uplifting crowd-pleaser, Bee Nation reminds us that the First Nation community will not be tied down by the injustices of the past.”
— Cinema Axis
Filmmaker’s Biography
The heart-warming BEE NATION documents the Canadian First Nations Provincial Spelling Bee championship, and follows the highs and lows of children and parents who strive not only to win the Regionals but to go on and, for the first time ever, represent their indigenous community on the National stage.