ABOUT THE NATIVE INITIATIVE
Sundance Institute's commitment to supporting Native Cinema is woven throughout the 25-year history of the Institute. Rooted in the recognition of a creative and artistic power inherent in Indigenous artists, the Native Initiative supports the development of Native filmmakers and the exhibition of their work. The Native Initiative scouts across the US and world-wide for artists to participate in the Institute's core programs including the Feature Film Program which operates the Screenwriters and Directors Labs; The Theater Program which operates Theater Labs; The Film Music Program with operates Composers Labs; The Sundance Documentary Program which houses the Sundance Documentary Fund and Documentary Film Labs; The Sundance Film Festival which programs Indigenous films in all of its major categories; And the Sundance Independent Producers Conference which brings together filmmakers with the leaders of the independent film industry to explore the business of independent filmmaking.
Alumni of the Institute's Native Initiative include Sherman Alexie, Shirley Cheechoo, Chris Eyre, Greg Sarris and Randy Redroad. The Initiative's current work is focused on supporting emerging talent such as Sterlin Harjo, Zoe Hopkins, Taika Waititi, Blackhorse Lowe, Aurora Guerrero, Nanobah Becker, Andrew MacLean and Julianna Brannum. Through support from the Ford Foundation, the Native Initiative also operates the Sundance Institute -Ford Foundation Film Fellowship which supports emerging next generation Native American filmmakers whose work is defining the next wave of Native Cinema.
FESTIVAL EVENTS
Native Forum Brunch
Café Fiore – 900 Main St.
Monday, January 22nd/2007
10am-noon
Native Forum Reception
Legacy Lodge – Legends Bar (third floor)
1310 Lowell Ave.
Thursday, January 25th/2007
8:30pm – 12:00am
(ticket required, rsvp to Kevin_burton@sundance.org, or pick up ticket at the brunch)
Panel Discussion: The Burden of Representation
Whether its speaking on behalf of all Native Americans or all Asian Americans or all gays, the burden of representation can at times weigh a bit too much. Most often that burden, imposed by the community's expectation, is never met. Join an openly gay Palaw'an Islander, a Jewish Maori, a Seminole Okie and a host of others whose films step outside “conventional” representation and explore what it means to speak for one's self rather than an entire community.
Filmmakers Lodge
550 Main St
Thursday, January 25th/2007
10:30am – 12:00pm
Workshop: Art & Technology Blended Worldwide
In the worldwide film market, making a film is difficult, and getting it seen by audiences is even more difficult. In today's world there are many advanced technology platforms emerging, which allow a film to reach unprecedented audiences. This method of distribution is a major paradigm shift in the life of films; a shift from the “sit and watch model” to the “interactive model” of viewer involvement. Join A.G. Palelei and his cutting edge distribution model FIRST VISION, a multi-media distribution network, as he demonstrates how your film can now have that worldwide audience.
Microcinema
New Frontier on Main
333 Main St.
Wedneday, January 24th/2007
2pm-3:30pm
FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL
World Dramatic Competition:
Eagle Vs. Shark
Taika Waititi (Te Whanau a Apanui)
US Dramatic Competition:
Four Sheets to the Wind
Sterlin Harjo (Creek and Seminole Nations)
Spectrum:
Miss Navajo
Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo)
Tuli
Auraeus Solito (Palaw'an)
US Shorts Competition:
Conversion
Nanobah Becker (Diné)
Move Me
Jonathan Pulley (Laguna Pueblo)
07 SUNDANCE INSTITUTE – FORD FOUNDATION FILM FELLOWS
Ginew Benton (Ojibway/Cree)
Shortfilm Project: LOOKING GLASS
Julianna Brannum (Comanche Nation)
Documentary Project: LADONNA HARRIS: INDIAN 101
Melissa Henry (Diné)
Shortfilm Project: MOSI ÅIZHINÃ
Nathan Young (Pawnee/Kiowa/Delaware)
Narrative Project: HEAVY METAL INDIANS