Twenty years removed from childhood fame as Little Victor in 1998’s SMOKE SIGNALS, Cody Lightning has been forced to move home to his reserve in northern Alberta. When Cody learns his wife is leaving him for a younger, more successful actor and taking the kids, he decides it’s time to make his masterpiece—writing, directing, and starring in SMOKE SIGNALS 2: STILL SMOKING (with a documentary crew following along to record his every misguided step).

In his directorial debut, Cody Lightning (the real one, not the one in the movie...you'll understand, we promise) has crafted a laugh-out-loud mockumentary that rivals the peak days of Christopher Guest and crew. In doing so, he viciously satirizes the desire for fame and cultural capital, all while scratching the nostalgic itch for one of the greatest Indigenous films of all time.

A 25th Anniversary screening of SMOKE SIGNALS will also play CIFF 2023.