A Wonderful Cinematic Experience Here on the Suncoast – Sarasota Native American Film Festival September 9-15, 2022
Here on the Suncoast, we are fortunate to have many film festivals that give us insights into cultures and cinematic works that are emotional, historically relevant, and uniquely insightful. One of these amazing opportunities is the 3rd annual Sarasota Native American Film Festival, which will take place September 9 – 15, 2022. You will be able to experience cinematic words related to indigenous people’s experiences in the Americas both online and in person at New College of Florida’s Sainer Pavilion on September 9th and 10th. Online showcases will be available from September 9th through 15th online HERE. This access is sure to be both educational and a cultural experience on a film intended to educate, entertain and provide culturally impactful viewing for a wide audience.
One such film is “Rez Metal,” featuring the story of a Navajo heavy metal band. This film is in good company with over 25 films and other visual adventures into Native American art, music, history, and culture of the Seminole Tribe in Florida. The terrible history of missing and murdered indigenous women tell a critical story on film that will emotionally impact the viewers. This terrifying history will be unveiled in dual films “Bring Her Home” and “Somebody’s Daughter.”
The lineup continues with “Seven Ridges,” which is groundbreaking as it is the first feature drama to e produced in the Seri Language. “Changer: A Hand telling” is another innovative film that showcases Deaf Native Americans performing the Salish origin stories. This festival is produced by the Sarasota Film Festival and the Boxser Diversity Initiative in collaboration with the Native Reel Cinema Festival. The lineup will finish with a lineup of stunning short films from the 2022 Sundance Institute Indigenous Short Film Tour.
In addition to the amazing film lineup, there is Conversations with Shaandiin Tome, an award-winning Diné filmmaker, whose films have screened at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW and catapulted her to Marie Claire’s Top 21 Creators to Watch in 2022. Also notable is a panel on the history of the Seminole Tribe with Everett Osceola, filmmaker, and founder of the Native Reel Cinema Film Festival, and Uzi Baram, professor of Anthropology at New College. You can look at the online lineup for one or all the events you are interested in.
This wonderous lineup for the Native American Film Festival will give a unique, cultural take on many Native American historic and current topics. This is a great opportunity to see some films not often found all in one place in such an educationally impactful lineup. This festival immerses viewers in some thoughtful, amazing cinematic works along with relevant conversations and panels.
Photos Courtesy of Sarasota Native American Film Festival