Feature Film

William Buck's Star Stories

In a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, an Indigenous elder intertwines ancestral teachings with modern technology, inviting viewers to rediscover the profound spiritual connections between the stars and their cultural heritage.

Produced by

Lisa Jackson, Brittany Ryan, Amee Lê, and Jason Ryle

Directed by

Lisa Jackson and The Macronauts

Project Description

Designed for presentation in domes and planetariums, this 21-minute XR work brings to life four star stories, gathered and told by renowned Ininew (Cree) astronomer/star knowledge expert and author Wilfred Buck. From the practical to the poetic, these "tellings" of the Northern night sky provide guidance on navigation, the earth’s cycles, and how to live a good life with future generations in mind. WILFRED BUCK'S STAR STORIES offers a rarely heard perspective on astronomy and cosmology. Marvel at immersive night sky cinematography, cosmos CGI, and beautiful macro cinematography of meteorites set to a transporting soundtrack in this expansive yet intimate experience that combines the wonder of the universe with the warmth of listening to a wise Elder whose teachings can help us understand that the stars are in fact our oldest relatives.

About the Director

Lisa Jackson is one of Canada’s premiere artists and an award- winning creator of film and television, VR, and multimedia installation work. As a director, her projects have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Berlinale, and Hot Docs, won two Canadian Screen Awards (Canada’s Oscar), been nominated for a Webby and broadcast widely. In 2020, she launched Door Number 3 Productions and premiered feature documentary Wilfred Buck in 2024, with screenings at CPH:DOX (DOX:AWARD) and Hot Docs, where it was a Top 5 audience choice. She’s received the prestigious Chicken & Egg Award (2022), and the Documentary Organization of Canada Vanguard Award (2021). She’s Anishinaabe, lives in Toronto, has an MFA from York University, and attended the TIFF Talent Lab and Writers Studio.