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 short play, evolved into a full-length play and thanks to two of our co-producers, Rainbow Dickerson and Glenn Stanton who encouraged me to write it out as a short film, and allowing us to engage with audiences around the world.
The Story of The River
More than just a short film, The River is 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): Nominated for Best Drama.
- Four Corners Film Festival (Sept 12-14)
- 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.
The Complex Reality of Problem Gambling in The River
During the talkback at the Flickers' Rhode Island Film Festival, I had the opportunity to engage in an insightful discussion with fellow filmmakers and the audience about a central theme in The River: problem gambling. The main character, Rocky, is a woman struggling with this issue, and many were curious about how this aspect of her character drives the story and reflects real-world concerns.
Rocky’s Struggle with Problem Gambling
In The River, Rocky’s gambling addiction is more than just a plot device—it’s a lens through which we can explore her internal conflicts and the toll her decisions take on her family and community. For Rocky, gambling offers a temporary escape from her struggles, but as with so many who face this addiction, the consequences are far-reaching. Her actions ripple through her relationships, affecting the lives of those she loves most.
Why Problem Gambling?
As a filmmaker and storyteller, I wanted to explore the nuanced and often misunderstood nature of problem gambling. It’s an issue that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including Native American communities, where gambling facilities may be more accessible, and the lure of quick wins can be especially strong. But the damage it can do—financially, emotionally, and mentally—runs deep.
Indian gaming has been a godsend for me personally. Thanks to our casinos, the Gila River Indian Community fully funded my undergraduate and law school education. Today, I practice law for my tribe, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities that gaming has provided.
In Rocky’s case, gambling is a way to fill a void, to cope with feelings of loss and inadequacy. She finds herself caught in a cycle that she can't easily break, much like many real-life individuals dealing with this addiction. I aimed to portray her struggle with compassion and complexity, rather than simply villainizing her for her actions.
Audience Reactions and Filmmaker Discussions
During the festival's talkback, many audience members and fellow filmmakers were struck by the realism of Rocky’s story and had numerous questions about her character and the portrayal of gambling addiction. The discussions that followed were eye-opening, with people sharing their own experiences or those of loved ones, and talking about how important it is to represent these issues on screen.
The conversation around problem gambling is ongoing, and I hope that by highlighting it in The River, we can foster more awareness and dialogue. For many, gambling is seen as a harmless pastime, but for individuals like Rocky, it can spiral into something that consumes their lives.
Creating Change Through Storytelling
The River is, at its heart, about connections—whether to family, community, or the land. Problem gambling, in Rocky’s case, threatens to sever those connections. As storytellers, we have a responsibility to reflect real struggles, and problem gambling is one that needs to be discussed more openly.
The overwhelming response from the audience at Flickers' reaffirmed my belief that these stories matter. By bringing issues like problem gambling into the light, we can create a space for understanding, support, and hopefully, change.
I encourage others to continue the conversation, whether through film, writing, or simply by being aware of the signs and impact of problem gambling in their own communities. Rocky’s story may be fictional, but the realities it represents are all too real.
