Boozhoo akinaa wiiyaa! It is an honor to be involved in directing, planning, and facilitating the Ely Film Festival this year. I have been with the festival key team since 2022 and currently serve as the director. Our incredible team works endless hours putting this festival together for you, and we are very glad you’re here! In addition to this role, I serve as the Ojibwe Language and Culture Teacher at the Nett Lake School, on the Nett Lake Reservation, with over 20 years of experience working in schools. I also lead programming across the region and state as the director of Waawaate Programs, a land-based teachings nonprofit. I live in the Ely area with my wife, Linda, and our six children, where we spend much of our time enjoying the lakes and woods. The Ely Film Festival is as unique as the town itself. We bring in filmmakers from all around the world to our special corner of northern Minnesota to experience the amazing people who make up our communities and the living history of our surrounding natural world. I encourage you to check out the town and come back for a canoe trip this summer. One of my favorite projects since 2022 has been the Indigenous Youth Film Day, which is in its fourth year. This program brings Indigenous youth from local schools to experience a day of sponsored films and special programming meant to expose and encourage positive teachings from Indigenous film. Ely is a community of historic and present Indigenous culture, and as a team, we strive to highlight this during our festival. Over one-third of our films come from Indigenous filmmakers! While you’re with us, it is my hope that you will enjoy your time, make new friends, learn something new, be challenged in your worldview, meet some great people, and want to come back next year for the 5th annual Ely Film Festival. Please let me know if I can assist you in having a great time while you’re here. welcome TO THE FOURTH ANNUAL ELY FILM FESTIVAL!
Miigwech and cheers to another awesome Ely Film Festival!
DIRECTOR, ELY FILM FESTIVAL Ryan Bajan Favorite “Indie” movie: Smoke Signals
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FOURTH ANNUAL ELY FILM FESTIVAL | MARCH 11-15, 2026
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