RNCI the Creative Enterprise by Natives

Delivering To All People
The Stories That Shape Our World

Amplifying Native Indigenous content creators in front of and behind the camera, since 1995.

The nonprofit enterprise Red Nation Celebration Institute along with its partners of inclusion, hosts screenings and events year-round throughout the United States, as well as abroad and online, to celebrate Native Indigenous independent storytelling, help artists refine their craft, and reach global audiences.

Founded 1995 by Joanelle Romero is the longest standing Native Women-Led, Indigenous media arts cultural pioneer nonprofit enterprise in the Entertainment Industry.

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Schedule

RNIFF 27th Season – 71 “Official Selections’ 4 Features, 11 Documentaries, 24 Doc Shorts, 16 Narrative Shorts, 6 Animation, 6 Episodic, 29 Directed by Women, 5 Retrospectives, including RNCI Red Nation Awards, 17 virtual events and two films that are up for Oscar consideration: A Love Song and Burros.

The lineup includes 1 world premiere, 1 international premiere, 4 U.S. premieres, 2 West Coast premieres, 11 Festival premieres, and 46 Los Angeles premieres. There are 10 directors returning to RNIFF with their latest projects.

RNCI Alumni Leya Hale film ‘Bring Her Home’ won EMMY honored by the Upper Midwest Emmy Awards for Outstanding Topical Documentary!

Acknowledgment
Truth to Power

Award-winning film ‘Sacheen: Breaking the Silence’ WON ‘Best Doc Short’ while Littlefeather was the recipient of RNCI ‘Brando Award’ in 2019/RNCI Red Nation Awards ceremony.

From 1973 to 2019 the 46 year long wait in silence forced the Academy to rethink the treatment of Native Americans in Cinema.  

Only after three more years did the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences apologize to Littlefeather, June 2022. 

Joanne Shenandoah

Event
October 10

Joanne Shenandoah
1957-2021
The tribute, featuring dear friends family members, includes performing artists: Irv Lyons, Jr & The Light (Oneida Nation); world-renown singer/songwriter Pura Fe (Tuscarora/Taino); LA recording artist, actor & humanitarian, Joanelle Romero (Apache/Dinétah/Paiute); Joanne’s sister, Diane and daughter, Leah (Oneida Nation); and Sherri Waterman-Hopper’s Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers (Onondaga Nation).

Special Presentation
October 13

Burros became Oscar-qualifying when it won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature at the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Moderator Joanelle Romero with special quests: Tohono O’odham Executive Producer, Larry “Bear” Wilson, Dir Jefferson Stein and Producer Liz Cardenas.

 

Awards / Hosts

Special Presentation
October 25th

2022 RNCI Red Nation Awards Ceremony Nominees Press Conference on Thursday, October 20th where we will be announcing the Film Festival nominations LIV…

Only One Water

Virtual Event
November 1

RNCI in 2006 established The Sacred Water of Life Ceremony along the Los Angeles River and at Playa del Rey Ballona Wetlands. RNCI and with the support…

Virtual Conversation Series
November 2

California Native Indigenous Film Commission brings together Natives in Charge of their Narrative with industry allies.

Virtual Conversation Series
November 3

Meet with RNIFF Documentary Filmmakers as we discuss the Documentary Story.

Virtual Conversation Series
November 4

Meet with RNIFF Documentary Filmmakers as we discuss the Documentary Story.

Virtual Conversation Series
November 5

This is our moment right now with the huge success of Reservation Dogs, Dark Winds, Prey, Wild Indian, Wifelike, it is now officially cemented WHO TELLS THE STORY MATTERS! Native Indigenous at the forefront of the Entertainment Industry. We are the new Hollywood!

Virtual Conversation Series
November 6

Meet the Women Directors of RNIFF, who are decolonizing the entertainment industry. RNIFF has changed the trajectory not only of their careers and their lives but within the last four years Red Nation Celebration Institute program RNIFF has screened 103 films directed by women.

Virtual Conversation Series
November 7

Meet the Women Directors of RNIFF, who are decolonizing the entertainment industry. RNIFF has changed the trajectory not only of their careers and their lives but within the last four years Red Nation Celebration Institute program RNIFF has screened 103 films directed by women.

Virtual Conversation Series
November 8

Meet the Women Directors of RNIFF, who are decolonizing the entertainment industry. RNIFF has changed the trajectory not only of their careers and their lives but within the last four years Red Nation Celebration Institute program RNIFF has screened 103 films directed by women.

Native Cinema
November 9 - 19

In-Person

Now in its 27th year, the Red Nation International Film Festival curator Joanelle Romero says, “Who Tells the story Matters! I have created a 27-yea…

A Love Song

Native Cinema
November 9

Opening Night

In a rare lead role, Dale Dickey, one of contemporary cinema’s finest character actors, takes center stage as Faye, a widow waiting for a night that could change her life.

Native Cinema / Spotlight
November 12

World Premiere

Inspired by real events, ON SACRED GROUND follows Dan, a war vet journalist who suffers from PTSD, during what becomes the spiritual transformation of a lifetime.

Collaboration
November 17

Collab

“LFI AND RNIFF INVITE YOU TO A SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE LALIFF INCLUSION FELLOWSHIP”

Special Retrospective / Spotlight
November 18

In partnership with AMC Networks, IFC and AllBlkTV

A former champion boxer embarks on the fight of her life when she goes in search of her missing sister.

Oyate

Native Cinema
November 19

Closing Night

In the wake of the Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, Indigenous People across the nation are using their newfound platform to shed light on the wide array of injustices committed against

Gala Presentation
November 20

“Hollywood & Indian Country’s Biggest Night for American Indian & Indigenous Voices” Cementing Native image at the forefront of the industry, highli…

Festival at Home
November 21 - 30

Red Nation International Film Festival™ (RNIFF) is dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype …

Virtual Conversation Series
November 22

RNCI / City National Bank COLLAB

Fireside Chat Natives Rising through Storytelling

Invitation Only

Meet Joanelle Romero ‘Powwow Highway & Wild Indian’ and Cara Jade Myers ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’.

Native Film Market

Distribution Matters
November 28

A one-of-a-kind event with Festival Filmmakers, distribution companies, production companies, and esteemed members of the entertainment industry. Em…

Cara Romero

Virtual Event
November 29

Join us in Conversation with CARA ROMERO. Cara Romero is a Chemehuevi photographer creating monumental fine art photographs.

Virtual Event
November 30

His Actor’s Intensive workshops have helped a great many actors, writers and directors to build strong acting technique, and tell compelling stories with clarity and conviction. His acting classes empower artists to fully be who they are while realizing their absolute potential.

Event
November 30

Honoring Our Ancestors

The American Indian Holocaust Memorial was established in 2007 by RNCI, Downton Los Angeles. The ceremony was held at The Los Angeles State Historic Park, where the Tongva and Chumush used to meet at the Water portal, ceremony was in association with the City of Los Angeles reopening of The Los Angeles State Historic Park.

Event
November 6, 13, 16, 27

In Celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, Red Nation Celebration and Fine Arts Theatre partner to bring to the public four Native themed movies.

Virtual Event
December 3

Looking Through the Native Lens:
WHO TELLS THE STORY MATTERS! Native Indigenous at the forefront of the Entertainment Industry. We are the new Hollywood!

Narrative Short

Director Jefferson Stein

Documentary

Director Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso

Feature

Director Josef Kubota Wladyka

Documentary

Director Leya Hale

Feature

Director Max Walker-Silverman

Feature

Director Rebecca Tickell, Josh Tickell

Oyate

Documentary

Director an Brandon Jackson, Emil Benjamin

Narrative Short

Director Ginew Benton

Documentary Short

Director Kaela Waldstein

Feature

Director Rhiana Yazzie

The Doctrine of Recovery

Documentary

Director Brisind

Narrative Short

Director Thomas Ryan RedCorn

Documentary Short

Director Max Walker-Silverman

Documentary

Director Nathaniel Fuentes

Documentary

Director Derrick LaMere

Conviction

Documentary Short

Director Bruce Miller

Documentary Short

Director Colin Rosemont

Documentary Short

Director Emil Lozada

Feature

Director Antonio Coello

We Dance for Life

Documentary Short

Director Georgia Lightning

Documentary

Director James Anaquad Kleinert

Narrative Short

Director Jonelle Belcourt

Animation

Director Tank Standing Buffalo

Documentary Short

Director Evan-Marie Petit

Documentary Short

Director Neta Rhyne

Documentary Short

Director Deidra Peaches

Documentary

Director Collaborative

Animation

Director Meli Tuqota Jr

Documentary Short

Director Twoyoungmen Jarret

Documentary Short

Director Michael Brims, Jaime Bofil

Animation

Director Barry Bilinsky

Narrative Short

Director ZsaZsa K., Natasha Estrada

Documentary

Director Tiffany Ayalik, Kylik Kisoun Taylor

Voices of the Wisdom Keepers

Documentary

Director Quincy Davis

Documentary Short

Director Patrick Hoffman

Dark Winds

Episodic

Director Chris Eyre

Documentary Short

Director Elton Hubner

Documentary Short

Director Alex Cantatore

Documentary Short

Director Justin Deegan

Narrative Short

Director Kymon Greyhorse

Pehin

Narrative Short

Director Juliana Brown Eyes

The Jungle Tale - "An Ordinary Life Until..."

Animation

Director Henry Zhinin

Nu Ulew (My homeland)

Documentary Short

Director Karla Meza

A Cedar Is Life

Documentary

Director Leslie D. Bland, Harold C. Joe

Rick Bartow The Man Who Made Marks

Documentary Short

Director Nanette Kelley

Spirit Girl

Narrative Short

Director Kim Soo Goodtrack

The Red Orchid

Narrative Short

Director Montana Cypress

Kaashkitamaashoo

Narrative Short

Director Chantelle Marie Anderson

I am the Warrior

Animation

Director Tara Audibert

Without Water

Documentary Short

Director Jonathan Hyla

Rosalie Fish

Documentary Short

Director Faith E. Briggs, Tim Kemple

HERD

Documentary Short

Director David Borish

This Is Who I Am / Mii Maanda Iyaawayaa

Narrative Short

Director Manuel Ibanez

Above Boy

Documentary Short

Director an Vogel, Sebastian Funke, Lucy Martens, Elizabeth Silver

Imalirijit

Documentary Short

Director Vincent L’Hérault, Tim Anaviapik Soucie

Premonition: On the Eve of Signing Treaty 6

Animation

Director Barry Bilinsky

Can Archaeology Repair its Past with Indigenous America?

Documentary Short

Director Victoria Sutton

Documentary Short

Director Brišind

RNCI Partners With Edward James Olmos LALIFF

“Special Screening of films produced by the Indigenous Latino Cohort of the 2022 LALIFF Inclusion Fellowship”

The five participants in the Indigenous Latino cohort are William D. Caballero, Nicole Mejia, Sebastian Rea and Kristi Uribes.

These filmmakers completed a short film that premiered at LALIFF 2022!

Raúl Playing Game

Narrative Short

Director William D. Caballero, Reko Moreno

Mancha

Narrative Short

Director Nicole Mejia

The Record

Narrative Short

Director Kristi Uribes

Heritage

Narrative Short

Director Sebastián Rea

RNCI Partners With Fine Arts Theatre

In Celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, Red Nation Celebration and Fine Arts Theatre partner to bring to the public four Native themed movies.

Retrospective

Director Arthur Penn

Retrospective

Director Kevin Costner

Geronimo: An American Legend

Retrospective

Director Walter Hill

Retrospective

Director Michael Mann

Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), The Authentic Voice for American Indian & Indigenous Nations, founded 1995. The Creative Enterprise by Natives delivering to all people the stories that shape our world. The longest standing Native Women-Led, Indigenous media arts cultural pioneer nonprofit enterprise in the Entertainment Industry. Based in Los Angeles and Santa Fe NM, serving Indian Country & Entertainment Industry, representing 570+ Native Nations, established a rich legacy of work by supporting 894+ Native Indigenous filmmakers. Mission is to break barriers of racism by creating systemic change through media and pop culture in order to eliminate Native American stereotypes. Our Vision for the future of cinema is one in which Native Indigenous perspectives are authentically pictured, recognized, and valued in a way that promotes strong authentic Native identities, economic outcomes, equity, and wellness for our Indigenous communities.

Meet RNCI Board of Directors https://rednationff.com/board-of-directors/

RNCI Properties include: Red Nation International Film Festival, RNCI Red Nation Awards, Red Nation Television Network Native Indigenous Media Streaming Company (predating Netflix and all other streaming services), Native Women in Film & Television in All Media, RNCI Crew, California Native Film Commission, New Mexico Film Commission, American Indian Heritage Month in the City of Los Angeles, Native Studies Center, Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts #NotTodayColonizer, and #NativeYouthMatter – If I Can See It I Can Be It.

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