“Hollywood & Indian Country’s Biggest Night for American Indian & Indigenous Voices”™
Cementing Native Indigenous at the forefront of the Entertainment Industry
Hollywood has Oscar, Broadway has Tony, Television has the Emmy, and Indian Country has the Red Nation Film Award of Excellence™
Congratulations to the RNIFF 2022 award winners!
This year’s IN PERSON festival and Awards Ceremony proclaimed a full on return to theaters – and it was irresistible, ceremonial in the highest regard to Who Tells the Story Matters. The RNIFF is not over yet, we continue with online screenings and events; filmmaker conversations, Q&As, red carpet photos and exclusive interviews with the stars and filmmakers here.
Join us in celebrating the RNCI Red Nation Award WINNERS

And the Nominees Are:
Best Picture
- On Sacred Ground – WINNER
- A Love Song
- Seven Ridges
- A Winter Love
Achievement in Directing
- On Sacred Ground: Rebecca Tickell, Josh Tickell – WINNER
- A Love Song: Max Walker-Silverman
- Seven Ridges: Antonio Coello
- A Winter Love: Rhiana Yazzie
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
- Irene Bedard for On Sacred Ground
- Rhiana Yazzie for A Winter Love
- Kerry Knuppe for On Sacred Ground – WINNER
- Darleen Romero Torres for Seven Ridges
- Lidia Ibarra for Seven Ridges
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in Leading Role
- Wes Studi for A Love Song – WINNER
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in Supporting Role
- David Midthunder for On Sacred Ground – WINNER
- Che Jim for On Sacred Ground
Best Documentary Feature
- Powerlands – WINNER
- The Doctrine of Recovery
- Bring Her Home – WINNER
- Okpik: Little Village in the Arctic
- Oyate
Best Live Action
- Mirror Man
- Burros – WINNER
- Dead Bird Hearts
- Classique
- Pehin
- This Is Who I Am / Mii Maanda Iyaawayaa
- The Red Orchid
Best Documentary Short
- Cara Romero: Following the Light – WINNER
- Saging the World
- Faces From The Interior
- Conviction
- Without Water
- Imalirijit
- HERD
- Rosalie Fish
Best Animated Short
- I am the Warrior – WINNER
- Soli Bula
- Wâhkôhtowin | All My Relations
- The Jungle Tale – “An Ordinary Life Until…”
- Premonition: On the Eve of Signing Treaty 6
Best Television Series
- Dark Winds – WINNER
- Reservation Dogs – WINNER
- LA Brea
- Alaska Daily
- Spirit Rangers
- Ghosts
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, Comedy, Limited Series
- Grace Dove for Alaska Daily
- Paulina Alexis – Reservation Dogs – WINNER
- Devery Jacobs for Reservation Dogs
- Tonantzin Carmelo for LA Brea
- Jessica Matten for Dark Winds
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, Comedy, Limited Series
- Zahn McClarnon for Dark Winds
- Kiowa Gordon for Dark Winds – WINNER
- D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai for Reservation Dogs
- Lane Factor for Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Comedy, Limited Series
- Tonantzin Carmelo for LA Brea
- Crystle Lightning for Ghosts
- Sarah Podemski for Reservation Dogs – WINNER
- Jana Schmieding for Reservation Dogs
- Jennifer Podemski for Reservation Dogs
- Irene Bedard for Alaska Daily
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama, Comedy, Limited Series
- Román Zaragoza for Ghosts
- Gary Farmer for Reservation Dogs – WINNER
- Wes Studi for Reservation Dogs
- Dallas Goldtooth for Reservation Dogs
- Zahn McClarnon for Reservation Dogs
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
Spirit Rangers
- Talon Proc Alford – WINNER
- Roman Zaragoza
- Cree Summer
- Wes Studi
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Michelle Bardach
Red Nation Honors
- The Courage Award – Jen Martel: Oyate
- The Film Consultant Award – Larry ‘Bear” Wilson: Burros
- The Misty Upham Award – Kali Reis: Catch The Fair One
Lifetime Achievement Award
Wes Studi