Indigenous Action Media, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, and the Museum of Northern Arizona are proud to present the 3rd Annual Southwest Native American Film and Video Festivalon Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15.
The Southwest Native American Film and Video Festival highlights the Southwest’s unique offerings by contemporary Indigenous media makers and seeks to provide an opportunity for audiences of all ages to further their understanding of Indigenous cultures today.
This two-day festival will feature 25 films including dramatic works, documentaries, shorts and youth films, a panel discussion exploring Native filmmaking issues, and a special presentation on experimental Native filmmaking. Invited filmmakers will answer questions about their work.
Screenings will be held at the Museum of Northern Arizona in the Branigar/Chase Auditorium and at Coconino Center for the Arts. Daily and weekend festival passes for students and general admission can be purchased in advance at the Museum and at Coconino Center for the Arts. General and student admission fees will also be collected at the door. For additional information, call 928/779-2300 or visit these websites for a schedule of events: www.indigenousaction.org, www.musnaz.org, and www.culturalpartners.org.
2006 SOUTHWEST NATIVE AMERICAN
FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Schedule subject to change. The films presented at the Festival do not necessarily represent the views of Flagstaff Cultural Partners, the Museum of Northern Arizona, or Indigenous Action Media.
Friday, July 14―Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 N. Fort Valley Road
7:30–10:00 p.m.
$10 general admission, $6 students
Welcoming statement by Klee Benally from Indigenous Action Media
Rez Hope
Director: Norman Brown
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 30 minutes
Rez Hope follows a group of Navajo students during a day at school. This short film tackles a number of issues facing Native American teens today such as alcohol and drug abuse, violent relationships, sexual activity, depression, and suicide.
Grace
Director: Darwyn Roanhorse
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 11 minutes
A young runaway named Pearl meets Grace, a poor woman who sells banana bread at the local government offices. From this first encounter with Grace, Pearl gets the idea that she can sell the bread herself. What ensues is a life lesson Pearl learns by observing Grace and her inherent goodness.
Trudell
Director: Heather Rae
Feature Documentary
Running Time: 80 minutes
This award-winning documentary is about legendary Native poet, musician, and activist John Trudell. Trudell won the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2005 Seattle International Film Festival and the Jury Prize for Human Rights at the 2005 Artivist Film Festival.
Saturday, July 15―Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 N. Fort Valley Road
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Screening and Panel Discussion
Free admission
Taking It Back
Director: Leahn Cox
Running Time: 12 minutes
A screening of Taking It Back will be followed by a panel discussion by Native American film students, discussing the challenges they face. Media makers will discuss questions such as, “What is Native film,” “What unique challenges face contemporary Native media makers?,” and “What is the future of Native filmmaking?”
Saturday, July 15―Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 N. Fort Valley Road
1–2 p.m.
Experimental Native Film Screening and Discussion
Free admission
Irrelevant Static
Director: Shonie De La Rosa
Experimental Short
Running Time: 36 minutes
Ed, who lives in seclusion, has lost his wife and son to a super strain of tuberculosis unleashed by terrorists that has killed millions around the globe. Ed has contracted the deadly disease, but continues to go about his day-to-day routine in his home with a radio as his only connection to the outside world.
Saturday, July 15―Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 N. Fort Valley Road
2–5 p.m.
Youth, Student, and Shorts Presentations
$5 general admission, $3 students
Running with Tradition
Director: Angelo Baca
Documentary Short
Running Time: 20 minutes
This documentary takes a look at modern Native American runners and the people that drive them to succeed. The film focuses on a younger generation of high school and collegiate runners and discusses influences ranging from Olympic dreams to diabetes risk.
Siriusly Funny
Director: Darren Gordy
Comedy Short
Running Time: 5 minutes
See a “revolution” in radio. Originally made for Howard Stern’s film festival.
Marble Gangsta
Director: Youth Media Project
Youth/Student―Dramatic Short
Running Time: 4 minutes
A young girl wakes from a nightmarish future where skateboarding is illegal, only to be confronted by her greatest fear in a mysterious form.
Meth on the Rez
Director: Tori Nez, Red Mesa High School
Youth/Student―Documentary Short
Running Time: 10 minutes
Meth is a growing problem on the Navajo reservation. This student documentary examines the issues related to meth use.
Mountain King (Strong language, discretion advised)
Director: Leahn Cox, Rough Rock High School
Youth/ Student―Dramatic Short
Running Time: 7 minutes
An encounter with a mysterious creature changes a young man’s perspective.
Interview with a Werewolf
Director: Youth Media Project
Youth/ Student—Mocumentary
Running Time: 3 minutes
In a rare interview, a werewolf shares his personal side.
EDG Cease the Fire
Director: Shonie De La Rosa
Music Video
Running Time: 4 minutes
A music video featuring the band Ethnic Degeneration.
Native Wind
Director: Robby Romero
Short/PSA
Running Time: 1 minute
A public service announcement about the vast wind energy potential on tribal lands of the northern Great Plains.
Agape
Director: Darren Gordy
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 19 minutes
A film inspired by unconditional love. Two friends explore online dating.
Tavake
Director: Paul Stoll
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 14 minutes
Set in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific Islands, this film looks at the influence and encroachment of Western culture, as shown in the relationship of a young man and his traditional father.
Hoop Dance
Director: Brian Hammil
Documentary Short
Running Time: 40 minutes
A look into the world of hoop dancing.
Saturday, July 15―Museum of Northern Arizona
3101 N. Fort Valley Road
7–10:30 p.m.
Evening Screenings
$10 general admission, $6 students
Sa’ah
Director: Sarah Del Saronde
Documentary Short
Running Time: 20 minutes
Sa’ah means “over there” in Navajo. This documentary follows a journey to the reservation to seek a Navajo medicine man. The internal journey speaks about the ongoing cultural changes within families and the wider community.
Conversion
Director: Nanobah Becker
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 9 minutes
In the 1950s, a visit by Christian missionaries has devastating consequences for a family in a remote part of the Navajo reservation.
The Repatriator
Director: Angelo Baca
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 18 minutes
A professional Native American thief steals sacred items from museums, private collections, and galleries and returns them to Native people.
The Last Great Hunt
Director: Shonie De La Rosa
Comedy Short
Running Time: 7 minutes
This comedic short stereotypes the Native American on a whole new level.
My Darkest Hour
Director: Happy Frejo
Dramatic Short
Running Time: 22 minutes
Based on true events, this story focuses on a young girl named Joy who is deeply affected by the separation of her parents. Blaming her mother, Joy is controlled by her hate and lack of forgiveness which leads to substance abuse. While leading a self-destructive life, she plans her suicide and has a vision that changes her life forever.
Mormon Shoshonie Experience
Director: Angelo Baca
Documentary Short
Running Time: 7 minutes
This brief documentary describes early Mormon and Shoshone interactions, from both perspectives, before and after the creation of the state of Utah.
The Ballad of Peter LaFarge
Director: Sandra Schulman
Documentary Short
Running Time: 13 minutes
This film contains rare photos and never before published information about the untold story of Native America’s protest pioneer and the writer of the song “The Ballad of Ira Hayes.”
A Beautiful Dawn
Director: Klee Benally
Music Video
Running Time: 4 minutes
Music video featuring Navajo singer Radmilla Cody.
Alcatraz Is Not an Island
Director: James Fourtier
Feature Documentary
Running Time: 57 minutes
The 1969–71 occupation of Alcatraz Island was a watershed in American history. The tumultuous days of “Red Power” live again in occupation footage and interviews with participants.