How Many of These Native Films Have You Seen?

February 19, 2009

By Gemma Givens

SAN FRANCISCO--The American Indian Film Festival and American Indian Film Institute have grown tremendously. They started as a project by Michael Smith when he was a student in 1975. Now they are a national gathering of filmmakers showing films of many different genres and actors, musicians, dancers and performers from all walks of life from the indigenous nations of the Americas and Canada.

“For 33 years, the mission of the festival has been to show people around the world who Natives are, and to teach them that Native people are just like everyone else,” said film festival coordinator Mytia Smith, daughter of Michael Smith. Growing up in the film festival, Smith said, she has experienced “the heart and effort both my parents put into it and the emergence of a lot more Native directors and actors sharing their stories.”

In 2001, the Tribal Touring Program was created to provide young people living on reservations an intense course on filmmaking. Audiences of future American Indian Film Festivals can expect to see even more films made by Native people, especially youth.

At the 2008 American Indian Film Festival Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 15 in San Francisco, the following winners were announced:

Best Film
“Before Tomorrow,” Director: Marie –Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu, Canada

Best Director
Georgina Lightning, “Older Than America,” USA

Best Actor
Trevor Duplessis, “In a World Created By a Drunken God,” Canada

Best Actress
Candace Fox, “Moccasin Flats: Redemption,” Canada

Best Supporting
Actor Wes Studi, “Older than America,” USA

Best Supporting
Actress Misty Upham, “Frozen River,” USA

Best Documentary Feature
“River of Renewal,” Director: Carlos Bolado, USA

Best Documentary Short
“Byron Chief-Moon: Grey Horse Rider,” Directors: Philip Szporer and Marlene Miller, Canada

Best Live Action Short
“Niigaanibatowaad: Front Runners,” Director: Lori Lewis, Canada

Best Animated Short
“By the Rapids,” Director: Joseph Lazare, Canada

Best Music Video
Crystal Shawanda’s “You Can Let Go,” Director: Margaret Malandruccolo, USA

Best Public Service
“Modern Day Warriors,” Director: Jenni Monet, USA

Gemma Givens, Guatemala Mayan, is a freshman at the University of California, Santa Cruz.