CSUSM Presents Inaugural San Diego County American Indian Film Festival, Nov. 21-23
News Release | By Margaret Chantung
The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is proud to present the Inaugural 2013 San Diego American Indian Film Festival (SDAIFF), Nov. 21-23 in San Marcos and Temecula.
SDAIFF will feature films and documentaries about American Indian lives, interests and issues, as well as tribal culture, language revitalization, and the preservation of natural and cultural resources. Screenings and panel discussions will take place Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, Nov. 22, on the CSUSM campus, culminating in a premiere and VIP reception Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Pechanga Resort & Casino.
SDAIFF is designed to offer attendees the finest work in American Indian film and media. The SDAIFF will highlight the best of current films from American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors and actors working throughout Indian Country. Notable guests and screenings include Actress
Kimberly Norris Guerrero ("The Cherokee Word for Water"), Actor Danny Glover ("Chasing Shakespeare") and a special presentation of "Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope" in the Navajo language. Opportunities for youth will include a Saturday shorts program facilitated by Artist, Filmmaker and Humanitarian Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), as well as student films selected from surrounding tribal communities.
"We are so proud and excited to host this festival and give tribal people in the area such a rare and fantastic opportunity to view American Indian films of this caliber," said Dr. Joely Proudfit, director of the CICSC, which is located in an area that is home to the largest number of Indian reservations in the region.
All SDAIFF events are all open to the general public, but tickets are required. CSUSM students will be admitted free (tickets available at the CICSC office). See schedule below for specific program details. Thursday, Nov. 21 (6 to 9 p.m.) – “The Cherokee Word for Water” - CSUSM—Arts Building, room 240
The Cherokee Word for Water is a feature-length motion picture inspired by the true story of the struggle for, opposition to, and ultimate success of a rural Cherokee community to bring running water to their families by using the traditional concept ofgadugi—working together to solve a problem.
Friday, Nov. 22 (6:30 to 9 p.m.) – “Star Wars: A New Hope” in the Navajo Language - CSUSM— Arts Building, room 240
The Navajo Nation Museum, Navajo Parks and Recreation, and Lucasfilm, Ltd. have joined forces to dub episode IV of the classic space fantasy film, “Star Wars” into the Diné language. This marks the first time that a mainstream movie has been dubbed into the Navajo language.
Saturday, Nov. 23 (2 to 5 p.m.) - Youth Shorts and Animations - Pechanga Resort & Casino—Mountain Lion and Turtle rooms
Opportunities for youth include a Saturday afternoon shorts program, hosted by Artist, Filmmaker and Humanitarian Steven Paul Judd, featuring student films selected from the surrounding tribal community.
Saturday, Nov. 23 (7:30 to 10 p.m.) – “Chasing Shakespeare” - Pechanga Resort & Casino—Mountain Lion and Turtle rooms
“Chasing Shakespeare” is a beautiful and enchanting love story about a young Native American woman's search for her destiny and her widower husband's attempts to reunite with her after her death.
For more information contact:
Joely Proudfit, CSUSM, 760-750-3535, jproudfit@csusm.edu
Jack Kohler, On Native Ground, 707-592-9030, jack@onnativeground.org
Anecita Agustinez, 408-429-5629, anecita.agustinez@gmail.com
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Who: The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), and American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors and actors working throughout Indian Country
What: The inaugural San Diego American Indian Film Festival (SDAIFF)
Why: To showcase the finest work in current American Indian film and media, and spotlight American Indian lives, interests and issues.
When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 through Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013
Where: Festival screenings and activities will take place Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 at CSUSM, located at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos. For more information including driving directions, campus map and parking fees, visit theCSUSM Parking Guide.
Premiere and VIP reception will take place Saturday, Nov. 23 at Pechanga Resort & Casino 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Parking is free. For driving directions, please visit the Pechanga Resort & Casino website.