Rankin Inlet (Mar 29/04) - About 200 people braved blizzard conditions to attend the Nunavut premier of the major motion picture, The Snow Walker, in Rankin Inlet March 25.

Best supporting actress Genie award nominee Annabella Piugattuk shares a laugh with Michael Wallace, 7, before the Rankin Inlet debut of The Snow Walker. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Based on the Farley Mowat short story, Walk Well My Brother, the movie has earned nine Genie award nominations, including best picture and best supporting actress for Nunavut's own Annabella Piugattuk of Iglulik. Piugattuk was on hand for the film's debut in Rankin.

She said although being involved in the movie was a tremendous experience, she still has other goals to obtain on her personal priority list before pursuing acting on a full-time basis.

"I'm living in Vancouver now, but my main focus is finishing Grade 12 and obtaining my high school diploma," said Piugattuk.

"I could be going to auditions and different things -- there's been lots of opportunity -- but I'm going to finish my education before making any decisions on my future."

The film, which tells the tale of two people (Barry Pepper as Charlie Halliday and Piugattuk as Kanaalaq) struggling to survive the harsh Arctic elements, was screened in Rankin on a by-invitation-only basis. Film tour co-ordinator Albert Kimaliakyuk of Rankin Inlet said he's negotiating with Lion's Gate Films to bring the movie back to Rankin.

"We had a number of people who were upset that the film wasn't open to the public," said Kimaliakyuk.

"We hope to get permission to bring the movie back for a public screening in Rankin, possibly as early as later this week. We'll make a local announcement so that everybody knows if the film does return."