The Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois & United Tribes of South Carolina (ECSIUT), in collaboration with the Columbia Film Society of South Carolina, proudly announced a call for entries to the landmark 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival. This significant cultural event, held from November 1st to 5th, 2006, served as a vibrant platform for celebrating National Native American Indian Heritage Month through the powerful medium of film. This Film Entries Sought for 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival sought to bring authentic Native voices and perspectives to audiences across the southeastern United States.
A Decade of Showcasing Native Voices
For a decade, the Native American Indian Film & Video Festival had been a beacon for independent filmmakers and enthusiastic moviegoers alike. As the only Native-focused film festival in the southeastern region of the United States, it uniquely drew participants from a wide geographical area, including North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. The festival provided a crucial space for showcasing the diverse narratives and artistic talents of Native American and Indigenous filmmakers.
Dr. Will Moreau Goins, the festival’s founder and coordinator, articulated the organization’s core mission: "We are a non-profit organization that feels this is important… We have been successful getting new independent Native American Films and Indigenous Filmmakers and native produced movies to new audiences." This dedication to accessibility and outreach was central to the festival’s success and its impact on both the filmmaking community and the wider public.
The Nickelodeon, a beloved cultural institution in Columbia, South Carolina, and the Columbia Film Society acted as co-sponsors and the cherished home for the annual film festival. Their support underscored the importance of the festival in enriching the cultural landscape of the region.
Bridging Communities Through Cinema
The Film Entries Sought for 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival was more than just a showcase of films; it was a bridge connecting communities and fostering understanding. Dr. Goins eloquently described this role: "This festival helps us make that connection to the rest of the Native American Indian world that is not in South Carolina. Bringing us new and contemporary images and current issues facing our Native brothers and sisters and also entertaining us." The festival served as a window into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Native peoples across the Americas and beyond.
The selection criteria for the festival emphasized authenticity, quality, and contemporary relevance. As Dr. Goins emphasized, "We want to show contemporary, authentic, current and quality work in film that features Native American Indian and indigenous people and culture… that has been our goal since this film festival started and that goal hasn’t changed." This commitment to showcasing genuine representations of Native life and culture ensured that the festival remained a trusted and respected platform for Indigenous voices.
Embracing a Global Indigenous Perspective
The festival extended a warm welcome to filmmakers from diverse Native and Indigenous diasporas around the world. Dr. Goins specifically highlighted the festival’s outreach to "Latino/Hispanic native people, culture and filmmakers from the Indians in Brazil, South America, Central America or those of the Native Hawaiians and the aboriginals from Australia… all indigenous people and their stories." This inclusive approach recognized the shared experiences and struggles of Indigenous communities globally, fostering a sense of solidarity and collaboration.
"These all fit in our festival and we welcome filmmakers to submit that share stories from these Native experiences," stated Goins, encouraging filmmakers to contribute their unique perspectives to the festival’s rich tapestry of narratives. The festival’s organizers believed that by providing a platform for these diverse voices, the festival could contribute to a greater understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories.
Beyond the Screen: Engaging with Filmmakers
The Film Entries Sought for 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival offered attendees more than just film screenings. In previous years, and continuing in 2006, the festival had a tradition of inviting Native American producers, directors, associate directors, and featured actors to participate in discussions, receptions, and forums. These events were designed to enhance media literacy and provide insights into the filmmaking process. These interactions offered valuable opportunities for audience members to engage directly with the creators of the films and gain a deeper understanding of the stories being told.
The core of the festival lay in its dedication to showcasing films that were American Indian produced, directed, and starring Native American Indian people. This commitment to Native authorship and representation ensured that the festival remained a truly authentic and empowering platform for Indigenous voices.
Film Categories and Submission Details
The 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival sought submissions across a variety of categories, reflecting the breadth and depth of Native filmmaking.
Accepted Formats:
The festival accepted a variety of formats to accommodate filmmakers working with different resources and technologies. These included:
- VHS
- DVD
- Mini-DV
- Beta SP
These varied formats ensured accessibility and encouraged participation from a wide range of filmmakers, regardless of their technical capabilities.
Submission Deadline:
The deadline for submissions was August 20, 2006. However, the Selection Committee would review entries received after this date if circumstances permitted. At the discretion of the Festival Director, ECSIUT could extend deadlines for near-completed work to September 19, 2006, providing flexibility for filmmakers finalizing their projects.
Contact Information
For filmmakers interested in submitting their work or for individuals seeking more information about the festival, the following contact information was provided:
ECSIUT, Film Festival of Southeastern USA
P.O. Box 7062
Columbia, South Carolina, 29202
Attn: Dr. Will Moreau Goins, Film Festival Coordinator/Presenter
Phone: (803) 699-0446
This Film Entries Sought for 10th Annual Native American Indian Film & Video Festival promised to be a memorable celebration of Native American and Indigenous culture through the art of film. It stood as a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge divides, foster understanding, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. This call for entries represented an opportunity for filmmakers to share their stories with a wider audience and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Native cinema.