Secwepemc actor Grace Dove plays the lead role as Aline Spears, a Cree matriarch, in the upcoming film Bones of Crows.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Elevation Pictures

A movie filmed in Kamloops, Bones of Crows, is about to head on a screening tour in Kamloops and the Okanagan before its theatrical release.

The film, which is focused on the intergenerational trauma of Canada's Indian residential school system, was filmed largely in the Kamloops area and included several local actors.

It will be screened twice in Kamloops on Dec. 7, then move to Williams Lake, Merritt, Penticton, Vernon and Oliver for screenings, according to a news release from production company Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc.

Grace Dove, a Secwepemc actor from Canim Lake, plays Aline Spears, a Cree matriarch. The multi-generational story is told through Spears' eyes over 100 years as she and her descendants fight systemic racism, starvation and sexual abuse.

READ MORE: Young Tk'emlups actor featured in film 'Bones of Crows'

The film has a "rich connection" with the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc community after not only filming in the community, but also employing locals on the production crew and as extras.

"Elders were present on set to support every day and filming took place in the territory and in the site of the former residential school. Bones of Crows has organized these screenings to give thanks to the communities who participated in this film, Chief and Council for their support and to honour survivors and all affected by the school," the release reads.

Director and producer Marie Clements will be at the Kamloops screening, and local actors Summer Testawich, Tyler Peters, Ethan Evans and Teya Gabriel will be at select screenings throughout the tour.

It was filmed in several regions across B.C., including the Okanagan, Tk'emlups te Secwepemc and Musqueam Nation.

READ MORE: Residential school drama 'Bones of Crows' about need for truth, dialogue: director

It first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September before it was screened at other festivals, including the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Its theatrical release is expected in 2023, which will be followed by a five-part mini-series commissioned by CBC and APTN.

The first screenings on the tour will be in Kamloops at 12:30 p.m. at Thompson Rivers University and 7 p.m. at the Rex Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Here is the full list of showings for the film's tour:

Dec. 7 - Kamloops
12.30 PM Thompson River University
7.00 PM The Rex Hall

Dec. 8 - Williams Lake
7.00 PM - Paradise Cinemas

Dec. 9 - Merritt
12.45 PM - Merritt Secondary School
7.00 PM - Merritt Secondary School

Dec. 10 - Penticton
7.00 PM - Cleland Community Theatre

Dec. 11 - Vernon
7.00 PM - Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre

Dec. 12 - Oliver
9.30 AM - Oliver Theatre for Oliver-Keremeos-Osoyoos grade 10 and 12 students

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