The River: A Journey Through Festivals and Beyond
I am thrilled to share that The River, a short film I had the honor of writing and producing, has been selected for numerous prestigious film festivals. What began as a passion project has evolved into a journey that has not only tested my creativity but has also allowed me to engage with audiences around the world.
The Story of The River
The River is more than just a short film—it’s a narrative that draws deeply from my own heritage and the traditions of the Native American community. Set on the Gila River Indian Community reservation, the film tells the story of a family’s connection to the land and the deep, spiritual ties that water and nature have with their lives. This story was inspired by my desire to explore the relationship between family, identity, and the environment, themes that resonate with many Native communities across the globe.
Festival Selections
Since its completion, The River has garnered attention from various film festivals, each selection reinforcing the importance of its story. Some of the festivals that have recognized The River include:
• Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival: This selection is a tremendous honor, as it qualifies The River for potential Oscar, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award consideration.
• North Hollywood Cinefest (Sept 12-15): Screening on September 14.
• Four Corners Film Festival (Sept 12-14): Screening date to be announced.
• Cordillera International Film Festival, Reno, NV (Sept 26-30): Screening on September 29 at 3:30 pm.
• NatiVisions Film Festival, Colorado River Indian Reservation (Sept 25-28): Screening on September 28.
• Film Fest Tucson (Oct 15-19): Screening dates to be announced.
• San Jose International Film Festival (Oct 24-27): Screening date to be announced.
• We Make Movies International Film Festival, LA (Nov 7-10): Screening date to be announced.
• Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival, Richmond, VA (Nov 22-24): Screening date to be announced.
Each of these selections brings The River to new audiences, and I am excited to see how viewers connect with the film’s themes of heritage, identity, and environmental stewardship.
The Impact
Each festival selection reminds me of why I embarked on this journey in the first place. At its core, The River is a story about home—what it means to connect to one’s roots, family, and the land. As a filmmaker and a Native American, my goal has always been to represent my community authentically and to tell stories that are both culturally significant and universally relatable.
Seeing The River resonate with audiences at film festivals is deeply rewarding. The feedback and discussions that have emerged from these screenings have been both humbling and inspiring. It’s proof that storytelling has the power to bridge cultural gaps and touch hearts regardless of where one comes from.
What’s Next for The River
With these festival selections, I am excited about the journey ahead. As we continue to screen The River at more festivals, I am also working on future projects that dive deeper into the themes of heritage, identity, and cultural legacy. This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a long journey of creating films that spotlight Native stories and voices.
I am incredibly grateful to the cast and crew who made this film possible, and I look forward to continuing this journey with them as we bring The River to more audiences.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way—your encouragement has been invaluable.
Stay tuned for more updates, and I hope to see you at an upcoming festival screening!
