WOODLANDS COUNTY - Fort Assiniboine’s Anna Kuelken was awarded the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 2024 Emerging Artist Award last month.
Kuelken is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, director and editor.
“It came as a complete surprise,” commented Kuelken.
She applied to be considered for the award in February and did not hear anything until April.
Applications happens every two years and you have to have two people nominate you as part of the process, explained Kuelken.
One of her nominations was from a former Award winner.
Kuelken showcased details about her process and her approach in developing engaging documentaries about rural life and the woven connections between people and where they live and work.
The Like Father Like Son documentary about her family in Fort Assiniboine and the cycle of life on a farm won Kuelken several awards, including the BMO 1st National Winner for Short Documentary in 2021.
The documentary pulls on the heartstrings regarding the struggles of being a farmer and having to take on farm work.
Like Father Like Son also won Hot Docs Pitch Program at the Camden Film Festival in 2023 and was recognized as a top-three contender for the Lindalee Tracy Award.
You can watch Like Father Like Son at https://vimeo.com/542683015
“There is quite the disconnect between urban and rural folks,” Kuelken remarked.
“I use intimate storytelling to bridge that gap.”
Only ten recipients in all of Alberta are chosen to receive a portion of $100,000 in awards.
An adjudication process that was overseen by the Banff Centre selected the ten recipients from 180 applications.
Kuelken received $10,000 and a medal. The money award lets her focus on her work.
An event on June 20 was held and Kuelken had the opportunity to meet the other nine recipients from different disciplines.
It was great learning about what they are doing and making connections between artists since everyone really does the same things in a really different way Kuelken commented.
The next documentary Kuelken is releasing is called Women Who Dig.
This captivating film documents women farmers who are utilizing traditional farming to address food insecurity and the industrial systems of farming.
You can watch the Women Who Dig Teaser at https://vimeo.com/788861932
“ I believe that Anna represents the epitome of emerging Artist in Alberta, The Author of “Women Who Dig: Farming, Feminism, and the Fight to Feed the World’ is quoted on Kuelken’s website annakmedia.ca.
“Not based on her successes as a filmmaker, but rather, the process of how she creates – and her artistic vision for the long-term. Her work reflects the highest talent.”
Kuelken is also working on a new dreamy cowboy film you can view at https://vimeo.com/970800339/6369f6de41
The Lieutenant Governor Art Awards Foundation was established in 2003 with its first emerging Artist Awards program awards in 2008.
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Lieutenant Governor Arts Awards Foundation Board both shared congratulatory statements on the Foundation’s website
“These 2024 Emerging Artists challenge and enhance our imagination”, says Her Honour Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. “Through their work, we are able to deepen our understanding of ourselves and the ways in which we view and position ourselves in the world. My sincere congratulations to all this year’s recipients!”
Lieutenant Governor Arts Awards Foundation Board Chair Arlene Strom says “We are proud and honoured to invest $100,000 in the careers of these outstanding artists. Our artists enrich our province immeasurably, and these 10 artists have much to share with us!"
