Welcome To The World's First Native Indigenous Film Commissions

The Creative Enterprise by Natives Delivering to All People the Stories that Shape our World™

Economic Development on Native Land in partnership with the Entertainment Industry

Hugo Soto Martinez
Seal of Los Angeles

Officially ENDORSED by Councilmember Hugo Soto Martinez, District 13

California Native Indigenous Film Commission

RNCI Makes History at AFM

Red Nation Celebration Institute made history in 2015 at American Film Market.

It was the first time that Native Indigenous presence had a main stage at AFM

Establishing ground-breaking initiatives being the first time in the entertainment industry these four initiatives have a global audience.

Native Film Market

RNCI Crew Directory

California Native Indigenous Film Commission

New Mexico Native Indigenous Film Commission

Economic Development on Native Land

California Native Film Commission
Cali-map
New Mexico Native Film Commission
NewMex-map

There are 19 Pueblo tribes in New Mexico
Each pueblo is a sovereign nation

Today, Pueblo people are located primarily in New Mexico. At one time, the Pueblo homeland reached into what is now Colorado and Arizona, where incredible dwellings and trading centers were established at sites such as Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico and Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado. Pueblo people have preserved their identity in the face of multiple colonizing nations, and today, as always, value their identity and traditional ways of life. At the same time, Pueblo people live in modern houses, working and living both on and off our reservations.

Pueblo beliefs and actions are still guided by Pueblo Core Values, which include love, respect, compassion, faith, understanding, spirituality, balance, peace, and empathy. Celebrations and ceremonies are continued throughout the year, maintaining the connection to Pueblo communities, ancestors, and to the Earth.

Active Pueblo’s working in film industry:

  • Acoma
  • Cochiti
  • Jemez
  • Laguna
  • Nambe/Pojaque
  • Navajo Nation
  • Santa Ana
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Domingo
  • Tesuque
  • Zia

Filming on Native Land

  1. Ask how the tribes want to be referred to – ie Laguna Pueblo, Sioux ( Lakota?), Kiowa etc
  2. Ask about when they close the lands for ceremonies, dances, feasts, deaths etc.
  3. Where can you scout and film and what areas are off limits.
  4. If someone dies will it affect your filming. They usually close the tribal entrance during deaths for a few days.
  5. What are their protocols that might slow or halt filming.
  6. What is the procedure to be able to scout and to film on Native land. Meeting with Governor and council
  7. Who does the production company need to hire and how many to be with the filming.
  8. Where can basecamp and catering live according to where filming takes place.
  9. What needs to be done to put the location back to how it was. Reseed, paint, pick up garbage, grade roads etc.
  10. Try to hire as many people from the tribe for the filming for various departments as well as security. Police are usually from the tribe.
  11. What money needs to be paid to the tribe aside from the location.
  12. Donations to education are always a good idea.
  13. The Location manager should suggest speaking to students about their job and filming information.
  14. Review contract with Tribal lawyer to decide what is applicable for the Production and for the Tribe.
  15. To include certain tribal members for meals as well as native crew hired.

Become a Film Office Liaison throughout Indian Country

RNCI CREW DIRECTORY

Provides film and television productions access to thousands of below-the-line
crew members from native and Indigenous backgrounds.

A RNCI Crew community founded by Joanelle Romero in 2015. 

Where Community Meets Culture Think Globally 

Red Nation Celebration Institute receives the LMGI 'Trailblazer Award' 2022

  • Watch LMGI President John Rakich give Land Acknowledgement and Zion White sing an honor song
  • Hear what LMGI VP Alison Taylor and Edward James Olmos have to say about RNCI

OUR Partners

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Crewvie
Local 480
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Southern Kentucky Film Commission
Virginia Film Office
Pocahontas Film Festival

Empowering Native Indigenous Storytellers | Who Tells The Story Matters

Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), The Creative Enterprise by Natives delivering to all people the stories that shape our world is the longest-running Native Women-Led Indigenous Media Arts and Cultural non-profit enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry. Based in Los Angeles with offices in Santa Fe New Mexico, serving Indian Country & Entertainment Industry. Representing over 570+ Native Nations, amplifying more than 5000+ Native and Indigenous content creators through its streaming company Red Nation Television Network, supporting 2700+ Native Indigenous filmmakers through its Red Nation International Film Festival, including films directed by women through its Native Women in Film & Television in All Media, since 1995. In the last five years RNCI has screened 130 films directed by women.

Natives in Charge of Their Narrative

RNCI’s 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/

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