Our Story

Red Nation International Film Festival & RNCI Red Nation Awards is a multi-platform film, art, and social impact organization dedicated to empowering Natives In Charge of Their Narrative.

The organization is led by Native Women and driven by mission.

Entities associated with the group include the film distribution arm “Red Nation Television Network,” the content company “Red Nation International Film Festival,” “Native Women in Film & Television In All Media,” the “Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts“, California Native Indigenous Film Commission and New Mexico Native Indigenous Film Commission, “RNCI Crew Directory,” and “Red Nation Celebration Institute” – the entertainment industry’s longest-standing Native and Indigenous non-profit enterprise.

The Institute was founded in 1995 by Joanelle Romero, who is a humanitarian, award-winning filmmaker – short listed for an Academy Award, actor, and member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

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Red Nation International Film Festival & Awards

The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema

Takes place every year as part of American Indian Heritage Month in the City of Los Angeles.

Red Nation International Film Festival™ (RNIFF) The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema™ is dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype with recognition, new vision, arts, culture and economic prosperity by placing American Indian Filmmakers at the forefront of the entertainment industry and to introduce American Indian Filmmakers to larger, global mainstream audiences while championing Native Women in Film & Television and giving voice and inspiring native youth with our dedicated program Native Youth Matter™ – If I Can See It I Can Be It.™

RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) – the Authentic Voice of American Indian and Indigenous Cinema – is the largest Native film festival in the country and was the first Native film festival in Los Angeles. RNIFF routinely secures top Native films and is dedicated to increasing the visibility of American Indian and Indigenous storytellers and artists in the entertainment landscape.

RNIFF screens films and events for more consecutive days than any other film festival, including Tribeca, Sundance, TIFF, AFI or Cannes. The festival is hybrid and held for 30 days in the month of November and showcases features, documentaries, short films, student films with a spotlight on Indigenous films directed by Women, and that are either produced/directed/written by or star Native talent or the subject is related to the American Indian and Indigenous experience.

Founded by Humanitarian, Award Winner filmmaker, actor and member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Joanelle Romero.

The Los Angeles Hybrid 28th RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival runs November 1-30, 2023, Festival includes 62+ film screenings * Star-Studded On the Red is Green Carpet Interviews, *Native FILM Market™ * Masterclasses with Industry Professionals * Retrospectives, *Red Nation Conversation Series™ * Native Women in Film & Telesvision in All Media™ * Indigenous Film Series * Environmental Social Justice Films * Native Film Labs * November 12, 2023 RNCI Red Nation Awards™ broadcast LIVE on Red Nation Television Network form the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills Los Angeles Native is Here (reaching 10 million viewers in 37 countries) The Festival features the only film competition in the world that offers guaranteed distribution of American Indian & Indigenous Award winning independent films, as well as films that screen at the festival to include a broadcast television release in partnership with Red Nation Television Network™, a global provider of streaming movies and TV series and soon to be announced Festival’s native films televised on a Cable server provider.The Festival is a showcase for new work by American Indian & Indigenous international independent filmmakers, bringing together decision makers and content creators with the goal of ensuring media representation of American Indian & Indigenous content to the world at large.

The Festival comprises competitive sections for American Indian and Indigenous (international) dramatic and documentary films, both feature-length films and short films, group of out-of-competition sections and a special presentation of student film awards.

Joanelle Romero, Phillip Haozous

AWARDS & QUALIFICATION

Selection for the Red Nation International Film Festival qualifies films for the prestigious RNCI Red Nation Awards (features, documentary, shorts, television).

The Festival, is a program produced by Red Nation Celebration Institute™, takes place annually in Los Angeles, during the month of November in celebration of American Indian Heritage Month™. Estimated 2021 [Digital] 75000+ attendees and globally 10 million+, it is the largest independent native film festival in Entertainment Capital of the World.

Red Nation Celebration Institute produces RNIFF ‘On the Road’ festivals annually.

Red Nation Int’l Film Festival ‘On the Road‘ Tour – Washington DC

Red Nation Int’l Film Festival ‘On the Road‘ Tour – New York City NY

Red Nation Int’l Film Festival ‘On the Road‘ Tour – Santa Fe NM

Red Nation Celebration Institute produces Native Women in FILM Festival dedicated entirely to woman filmmakers, held during Oscar week.

For more information Visit Festival Overview: www.rednationff.com/festival-information/

RED NATION INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RNIFF) is the first American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival in Los Angeles founded in 1995. RNIFF was the first to establish a “Red is Green” Carpet event placing American Indians on the Red Carpet in 2009 with an exclusive screening of ‘New Dawn Twilight Saga‘ in partnership with Summit Entertainment.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

Red Nation Film Award of Excellence

RNCI Red Nation Awards™ honors accomplishments of Independent Motion Pictures, Documentaries, Shorts, Television, Comedy and Music which are produced, directed, written, and or starring American Indians. Honorees include individuals who have made advancements in film, radio, television, comedy, media and social justice.

RNCI Red Nation Awards

Every year, Red Nation International Film Festival honors individuals at RNCI Red Nation Awards Show in Los Angeles CA, held and part of American Indian Heritage Month in November.

Red Nation Honor Awards

Each year a “Red Nation Honor Drum” is given to individuals who use their voice and put themselves out there to make a difference. The drum represents the Heart beat of all living beings. Each recipient is given this gift in honor and recognition of the hard work they do on behalf of American Indian’s in media, social justice, the arts, environment, human rights, career accomplishments in the arts, volunteerism, and cultural affairs. “Red Nation Drum™”

Red Nation International Film Festival & Awards Show is a production of Red Nation Films and Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI). Executive Producer Joanelle Romero.

VISIT these links below for more information:

About RNCI
www.rednationcele.org

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