Netflix Acquires SXSW-Winning Documentary Ceremony for 2027
Bianchi Hanuse directs the film about British Columbia's Nuxalk Nation and its effort to restore the ooligan fish population.
Netflix has acquired the Indigenous feature documentary Ceremony, directed by Bianchi Hanuse, for release on the service in 2027. The film had its world premiere at SXSW.
Ceremony was written by Hanuse and Jessica Mayhew and produced by Smayaykila Films. It centers on British Columbia's Nuxalk Nation and the community's efforts to restore the local ooligan fish population.
The documentary has won awards at SXSW, Hot Docs and the Sydney Film Festival.
Netflix has picked up Indigenous-themed or Indigenous-directed work in Canada before. In 2024, the streamer acquired Yintah, a documentary about Wet'suwet'en First Nation activists protecting their lands, directed by Michael Toledano, Jennifer Wickham and Brenda Mitchell. Netflix also streams the Arctic-set Indigenous comedy North of North, a co-production with the CBC, and has previously acquired titles including Jeff Barnaby's Rhymes for Ghouls, Stephen S. Campanelli's Indian Horse and Miranda de Pencier's The Grizzlies.
Quick answers
When will Ceremony be available on Netflix?
The documentary is set to land on Netflix in 2027.
Who directed Ceremony?
Bianchi Hanuse directed the film and co-wrote it with Jessica Mayhew. It was produced by Smayaykila Films.
What is Ceremony about?
The film centers on British Columbia's Nuxalk Nation and its efforts to restore the local ooligan fish population.