SULPHUR, Okla.— Acclaimed First American films and filmmakers will once again take center stage during the 11th annual Holba' Pisachi' Native Film Festival, Aug. 7-8, at the Chickasaw Cultural Center’s Anoli' Theater.
The festival will feature an outstanding lineup of acclaimed filmmakers, actors and emerging First American creatives.
“Our theme this year is ‘Indigenous Forces in Cinema: Empowering and Lifting Voices in Film’ and goes along with our invited filmmakers and how, through their work, they are inspiring future generations of Indigenous storytellers in media,” Fran Parchcorn, executive officer at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, said.
Headliners of the festival are acclaimed Comanche/Blackfeet producer Jhane Myers and award-winning Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux actor Amber Midthunder. Both will participate in special screenings, filmmaker discussions and audience Q&A sessions.
Guests can enjoy feature films, documentaries, filmmaker discussions, and red carpet and autograph opportunities throughout the two-day event.
Holba' Pisachi' means “showing pictures” in Chikashshanompa' (the Chickasaw language). Artists representing First American nations from throughout the United States are expected to attend the festival.
Festival activities begin Friday, Aug. 7. The day includes screenings of “The Dawes Commission,” “Little Bird” (Season 1, Episode 1) and “More Than Frybread.” The documentary, “Free Leonard Peltier,” produced by Myers, and “Reservation Redemption,” by Blake Pickens, Chickasaw citizen and filmmaker, will also be screened. Myers will conclude the day with a special audience Q&A discussing her work and career in First American filmmaking.
Saturday’s programming opens with welcome remarks from Parchcorn and Rance Gilliam, director of event operations at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, followed by a Chikasha Hilha' Himitta' stomp dance demonstration.
A showcase of First American short films will take place Saturday morning, including “Becoming Buffalo,” produced by Myers; “After Dark” by John Gibbs of Ponca, Meskwaki, and Sac and Fox heritage; and “Courage” by Eric Hernandez of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will participate in a discussion and Q&A following the screenings.
The afternoon includes screenings of “Touch the Water” starring Camille Nighthorse of the Hualapai Tribe, and “The Smudging Revisited: 10 Years of Urban Native Horror” directed by Mike J. Marin of Navajo, Laguna Pueblo, Washo heritage and produced by Isaac Trimble of Apache and Yaqui heritage.
A special presentation, “Generational Representation in the Film Industry,” will also take place Saturday afternoon instructed by Angelique Midthunder and David Midthunder of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
The festival culminates with a special screening of the critically acclaimed action-thriller “Prey,” starring Fort Peck Assiniboine/Sioux actor Amber Midthunder and produced by Myers. Following the film, Midthunder and Myers will headline the festival’s closing Q&A, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most celebrated First American-led films in recent years.
The event concludes with red carpet photo opportunities and autograph sessions in the Anoli' Theater lobby.
The Holba' Pisachi' Native Film Festival is open to the public at no cost. For more information, visit ChickasawCulturalCenter.com or call (580) 622-7130. The Chickasaw Cultural Center is located at 867 Cooper Memorial Drive.
