Cherokee Filmmaker Brings Short Film Home to Oklahoma's Deadcenter
Reciprocity Project filmmaker, Brit Hensel, is interviewed about her film “What They’ve Been Taught” (Udeyonv). She discusses the importance of language and land in Cherokee culture and her films. ‘The language is everything…Our language is so connected to our food, it’s connected to the place we come from, it’s connected to ceremony.”
Imagine Studios to present 'Dawnland' on March 30
A screening of Dawnland with a panel Q&A is being hosted on 3/30/2022 by The First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist Church, Congregation Ahavas Achim, Unity on the River, Theater in the Open, and Imagine Studios as part of the Newburyport Indigenous Peoples’ Day Initiative.
“Did you know that for decades, child welfare authorities were removing Native American children from their homes to “save them from being Indian?” It didn’t happen long ago and far away, but in the state of Maine in the late 20th century. Find out more about it when Imagine Studios presents a free screening of Upstander Project’s documentary “Dawnland” streamed online on Wednesday, March 30, from 7 to 9 p.m.
“This is an opportunity for people to see the film,” said Kristine Malpica, executive director of Imagine Studios. “It’s about the legacy of what happened to the native peoples of Maine. The screening is one piece of a larger collaborative Indigenous Peoples’ Day Initiative to bring cultural awareness through education, arts and music events.’”
Continue reading at Wicked Local.
Indigenous film+ online
The Reciprocity Project films are premiering at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Read summaries and view trailers of the films here.
“The observation on February 21 of International Mother Language Day focuses attention on various endeavors to support language revitalization and language diversity, including film screenings at the Mother Tongue Film Festival. Other festivals include Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and other sections look at a new webcast series, an ongoing podcast series a lecture rethinking the impact of the first Native American doctor, Suzanne La Flesche, and filmmaker honors.
The Reciprocity Project
7 short films by Indigenous directors produced by the Reciprocity Project, a co-production of Nia Tero Foundation and Upstander Project. Producers: Taylor Hensel, Adam Mazo, Kavita Pillay, Tracy Rector.”
Continue reading at Indian Country Today.
More than $3.4 million in grants awarded to local arts and culture organizations
Upstander Project is thrilled to be one of the grantees as part of this year’s Boston Cultural Council/Reopen Creative Boston funding!
“Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Cultural Council (BCC), today announced 192 arts and cultural organizations have been awarded grants as part of this year’s Boston Cultural Council/Reopen Creative Boston funding. The City awarded a total of $3,422,000 in grants for general operating support and COVID-19 relief.
“This year’s group of grantees are a wonderful reflection of the diversity and vibrancy of Boston’s arts community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “From small dance groups, to organizations that focus on engaging communities through film, to some of Boston’s most beloved cultural institutions, each one of these groups plays a vital role shaping our city.’”
Continue reading at City of Boston.
Cherokee filmmaker Brit Hensel secures place in Sundance Film Festival history
Congratulations to Reciprocity Project team member Brit Hensel who is the first woman who is a citizen of Cherokee Nation to direct an official selection at the Sundance festival!
“Tulsa-based filmmaker Brit Hensel enjoys telling Cherokee stories. She’ll be sharing one of those stories with a Sundance audience.
Hensel’s third and newest film “ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught)” has been selected for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and will make its world premiere as part of the short film program. She is the first woman who is a citizen of Cherokee Nation to direct an official selection at the festival.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Hensel said of the historic accomplishment. “I guess it is sort of shocking, the idea that it has taken this long for it to happen. But I feel really honored. I try not to think about it too much because it’s an awesome accomplishment and I’m really proud to have done work that people think of in that regard.’”
Continue reading at Tulsa World.
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival unveils line-up for hybrid screenings
Thrilled that the Reciprocity Project short films by Indigenous storytellers will be showing at Big Sky Film Festival!
“The 19th Big Sky Documentary Film Festival rolled out its lineup on Thursday for Feb. 18-27, with in-person screenings at venues in Missoula, and a virtual festival available to anyone, anywhere Feb. 21-March 3.
A total of 50 nonfiction feature films and 95 shorts from around the world will play.
Executive Director Rachel Gregg listed off highlights such as a high number of movies relevant to Montana and the West, adventurous titles (including Antarctica), a series of Indigenous short films, quirky offerings like “Cat Daddies,” and more.
This far along into the pandemic, Gregg said, “we’re starting to see some passion projects” that filmmakers have saved until the timing was right.”
Continue reading at The Missoulian.
YOUR GUIDE TO ALL INDIGENOUS WORKS AT THE 2022 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
Thrilled that ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (UDEYONV) (WHAT THEY’VE BEEN TAUGHT) is premiering at Sundance Festival!
“At the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, we are honored to have 15 projects by Indigenous artists screening. From immersive experiences to short films, the stories that will be presented in January continue to highlight Indigeniety in unique and powerful ways.
Over the last couple of years we, as a community, have had to adapt the way that we have produced, consumed, and celebrated films. However, even as our methods have shifted, our passion and commitment to groundbreaking art endures — especially the Sundance Institute’s essential support of Indigenous artists, storytellers, and filmmakers.
At the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, we are honored to have 15 projects by Indigenous artists screening.”
Continue reading at Sundance.
Sundance puts spotlight on Indigenous films
“Hensel is among nine Indigenous filmmakers featured at this year's acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, telling stories of traditions, ambitions and aspirations in short and feature-length films and multimedia productions. The festival runs Jan. 20-30 in Park City, Utah, but will not feature in-person events this year because of the pandemic.”
“For Cherokee filmmaker Brit Hensel, the Sundance Film Festival is a chance to showcase not just a groundbreaking film but also her people.
Her film, “ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (Udeyonv),” or “What They’ve Been Taught,” which premieres Thursday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. MST, explores reciprocity among the Cherokee people as told through an elder.
The film features not just a Cherokee director but an all-Cherokee film crew.
“Filmmaking for me has always carried with it an element of responsibility — a responsibility to whose story I'm sharing, to my community, my collaborators, to myself and my vision,” Hensel, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, told Indian Country Today.”
Continue reading at Indian Country Today.