THE MISSION
Nestled in the Alps, Refuge is a filmmaking institute run by and for local residents. At its heart it is an artisanal film studio that gives young people collective, hands-on filmmaking experiences in the places they call home, through creative stories drawn from real life.
Refuge Studio
The Process
Casting
Help with field research to uncover legendary local stories, and vote for the film that will be made in your town.
Filming
Join the shoot in whatever role suits you best, from set design to acting to scoring the soundtrack.
Screening
Share the film with your community at a preview screening and become a star in your own town.
festivals
Walk the red carpet with the team and represent the place you call home — around the world, or the next town over.
Awards
Compete for awards and become proud ambassadors for Reblochon on the international stage.
Partner film
ANOKI (70 min, 2026)
A young member of the Nipmuc Nation from Massachusetts, USA, Anoki is searching for his path between the traditions of his ancestors and the distractions of the modern world. Back on his ancestral land, he opens his heart to his family’s wisdom and rediscovers the soundtrack of his own life.
A collaborative film directed by Aurélie Debusschère, Larry Spotted Crow Mann, and Anoki Mann.
Official Selection at the largest Indigenous film festival in the United States (RNIFF 2026, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA).
"A magnificent documentary that allows us to discover Anoki and, through him, his people. I felt as though I were stepping into his private world, sharing his questions and doubts, but also his strength and his deep bond with his community. The songs, the gazes, and the poetry resonated with me, prompting me to reflect on my own roots and that essential connection to the earth—a connection we all too easily forget. I left the theater deeply moved, with a desire to reconnect with what truly matters..."
A film that sensitively highlights how intergenerational transmission allows one to reconnect with one’s origins. I was particularly moved to see Anoki reconnecting with his cultural roots, step by step. It inspired me to reconnect even more deeply with my own cultural heritage. As a viewer, you can sense the ethics, respect, and heart poured into this project. You also feel the deep bond the filmmaker forged with Anoki and his family, who actively participated in the co-creation of the documentary.
A touching and deeply human documentary that prompts us to reflect on ourselves, on others, on our society, and—above all—on our shared roots. Through the eyes and words of Anoki and his family, we are confronted with profound questions that give us food for thought. "Knowing where you come from to know where you are going," feeling recognized as an individual and as a human being—all of this is beautifully conveyed through Aurélie Debussière’s perceptive and compassionate lens. She successfully earned the trust and respect of her subjects, offering us an intimate window onto the world. A must-see.
PARTNER COUNTRIES
FOUNDING FILMS
Audience Members Won Over
The 7th ART that tells our story
There is no small cinema and no great cinema. There are only stories that deserve to be told, and perspectives that deserve to be heard.
The Refuge Institute believes in the power of stories to bring people together, share knowledge, and strengthen community. That is why we make films. Not only to be watched, but because the very act of making them transforms those who take part, and the places they call home.