IllumiNative is bringing its Indigenous House back to the Sundance Film Festival.
Now with a third day of programming, the Main Street gathering spot will run Jan. 19-21 and feature music, art and food celebrating Native culture. Talks include a fireside chat with director Sydney Freeland (Navajo), whose latest project is Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series Echo, as well as discussions with Reservation Dogs writer-director-producer Tazbah Chavez (Dinè/Nüümü/San Carlos Apache) and filmmaker-activist Julian Brave NoiseCat (Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen/Lil’Wat Nation of Mount Currie). The latter, whose U.S. documentary competition entry Sugarcane investigates abuse and missing children at an Indian reservation school, will discuss healing and justice amid the history of Indigenous boarding schools in North America.
“Last year, we saw the positive impact of Native representation and Native-led content, and while we recognize that there’s still progress to be made, this year’s...
Now with a third day of programming, the Main Street gathering spot will run Jan. 19-21 and feature music, art and food celebrating Native culture. Talks include a fireside chat with director Sydney Freeland (Navajo), whose latest project is Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ series Echo, as well as discussions with Reservation Dogs writer-director-producer Tazbah Chavez (Dinè/Nüümü/San Carlos Apache) and filmmaker-activist Julian Brave NoiseCat (Canim Lake Band Tsq’escen/Lil’Wat Nation of Mount Currie). The latter, whose U.S. documentary competition entry Sugarcane investigates abuse and missing children at an Indian reservation school, will discuss healing and justice amid the history of Indigenous boarding schools in North America.
“Last year, we saw the positive impact of Native representation and Native-led content, and while we recognize that there’s still progress to be made, this year’s...
- 1/8/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IllumiNative and NBCUniversal have launched a new partnership that will see the Native women-led organization leveraging its expertise to increase Indigenous representation across the media company’s portfolio.
Announced Thursday during Native American Heritage Month, the effort will help expand inclusion and representation within NBCU, with a focus on storytelling and talent development. IllumiNative’s mission to amplify contemporary Native voices, stories and issues to advance justice, equity and self-determination will carry through its consulting and recruitment services alongside workshops, conversations and trainings for the media company.
The partnership will span NBCU’s entertainment and news businesses as well as existing inclusion efforts — such as NBCU Academy, NBCU Launch and Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion — and its parks and experiences division.
“We have seen an overwhelming interest in and demand for authentic Native content, and we are so excited to continue working with NBCUniversal to advance Native representation and visibility,...
Announced Thursday during Native American Heritage Month, the effort will help expand inclusion and representation within NBCU, with a focus on storytelling and talent development. IllumiNative’s mission to amplify contemporary Native voices, stories and issues to advance justice, equity and self-determination will carry through its consulting and recruitment services alongside workshops, conversations and trainings for the media company.
The partnership will span NBCU’s entertainment and news businesses as well as existing inclusion efforts — such as NBCU Academy, NBCU Launch and Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion — and its parks and experiences division.
“We have seen an overwhelming interest in and demand for authentic Native content, and we are so excited to continue working with NBCUniversal to advance Native representation and visibility,...
- 11/2/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IllumiNative is honoring Native American leaders and artists at the inaugural Los Angeles edition of its Indigenous House.
Reservation Dogs showrunner Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek) and Prey producer Jhane Myers (Comanche/Blackfeet) are among the recipients of the first Native Power Builder Awards, alongside Ndn Collective director of policy and advocacy Jade Begay (Diné/Tesuque Pueblo), U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk) and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 13 at NeueHouse Hollywood as part of a larger celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (which is actually Oct. 9, but who wants to party on a Monday night?). The evening will open with a blessing song from Kahara Hodges (Diné) and also feature a presentation from the Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo (Shoshone/Hopi/Mexican) as well as music from Doc Native and Spencer Battiest (Florida Seminole/Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Pj Vegas (Yaqui...
Reservation Dogs showrunner Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek) and Prey producer Jhane Myers (Comanche/Blackfeet) are among the recipients of the first Native Power Builder Awards, alongside Ndn Collective director of policy and advocacy Jade Begay (Diné/Tesuque Pueblo), U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk) and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 13 at NeueHouse Hollywood as part of a larger celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (which is actually Oct. 9, but who wants to party on a Monday night?). The evening will open with a blessing song from Kahara Hodges (Diné) and also feature a presentation from the Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo (Shoshone/Hopi/Mexican) as well as music from Doc Native and Spencer Battiest (Florida Seminole/Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Pj Vegas (Yaqui...
- 10/2/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon Studios has partnered with IllumiNative to create the IllumiNative Episodic Directors Program.
Over the next year, the inaugural cohort of early- and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers will shadow directors on the upcoming second season of the streamer’s neo-Western series Outer Range, which includes an Indigenous character among its main cast. The participants will be paid for their work, with travel and accommodations covered. Although the filmmakers will not be hired to direct an episode as part of their program participation (a component first introduced by NBCU Launch and subsequently adopted by other studios such as Disney), Amazon says that it will consider program alumni for future gigs.
“Amazon Studios is intentional in developing accurate stories and characters by and about Native peoples, and IllumiNative has been an invaluable resource in this work,” Amazon Studios and Prime Video global head of Deia Latasha Gillespie said in a statement. “We are...
Over the next year, the inaugural cohort of early- and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers will shadow directors on the upcoming second season of the streamer’s neo-Western series Outer Range, which includes an Indigenous character among its main cast. The participants will be paid for their work, with travel and accommodations covered. Although the filmmakers will not be hired to direct an episode as part of their program participation (a component first introduced by NBCU Launch and subsequently adopted by other studios such as Disney), Amazon says that it will consider program alumni for future gigs.
“Amazon Studios is intentional in developing accurate stories and characters by and about Native peoples, and IllumiNative has been an invaluable resource in this work,” Amazon Studios and Prime Video global head of Deia Latasha Gillespie said in a statement. “We are...
- 3/28/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood has never had a reluctance to show Native characters onscreen. They’ve served as the go-to foils for the hero in the most American of movie genres — the Western — and occasionally have been romanticized for their exotic mysticism, their cultural practices and presentation adopted (or appropriated, as some might say) in order to imbue a sense of depth or artistry to a white practitioner. In more recent years, the historical and ongoing experience of many Indigenous communities’ battles to preserve their lands and defend their sovereignty has been allegorized into big-budget fantasy blockbusters.
But in between the two Avatar movies, the landscape for Native Americans in media has shifted. In 2009, when James Cameron’s first trip to Pandora premiered in theaters on the way to earning nine Oscar nominations (three wins) and becoming the top-grossing film of all time ($2.9 billion worldwide), some critics and audience members noted the plot’s evocations of Native narratives,...
But in between the two Avatar movies, the landscape for Native Americans in media has shifted. In 2009, when James Cameron’s first trip to Pandora premiered in theaters on the way to earning nine Oscar nominations (three wins) and becoming the top-grossing film of all time ($2.9 billion worldwide), some critics and audience members noted the plot’s evocations of Native narratives,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Rebecca Sun and Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New data from Illuminative, the Native women-led social justice organization, and Nielsen’s Seen on Screen case studies reveals the number of indigenous people in lead roles across TV and streaming has expanded over the past two years, but there’s still much room for growth.
The findings claim the number of indigenous lead recurring roles increased 100 between 2021 and 2022, despite overall representation of indigenous people remaining below population parity. Only 1 of shows across all platforms feature indigenous representation as a lead or recurring character.
“Visibility is power, and we as Native peoples know firsthand the importance of being seen and shown on screen in an authentic and equitable way,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative. “We’re so grateful for the researchers at Nielsen who helped bring this data to light and reaffirm what we’ve already known – Native representation and Native-led content is good for business.
The findings claim the number of indigenous lead recurring roles increased 100 between 2021 and 2022, despite overall representation of indigenous people remaining below population parity. Only 1 of shows across all platforms feature indigenous representation as a lead or recurring character.
“Visibility is power, and we as Native peoples know firsthand the importance of being seen and shown on screen in an authentic and equitable way,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative. “We’re so grateful for the researchers at Nielsen who helped bring this data to light and reaffirm what we’ve already known – Native representation and Native-led content is good for business.
- 1/21/2023
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Illuminative, the Native woman-led social justice organization, has announced the launch of the Indigenous House at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The Indigenous House will open its doors on Main Street in Park City, Utah, where it will spotlight the creativity of Native peoples, unveil new research on Native voices in media and provide a space for community members and allies to explore issues that impact Native peoples.
“We are beyond thrilled to open the doors to the Indigenous House for the very first time at Sundance Film Festival,” Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of Illuminative, said in a statement. “Storytelling is a powerful force for change, and we’ve seen firsthand how impactful Native representation is. The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation.
The Indigenous House will open its doors on Main Street in Park City, Utah, where it will spotlight the creativity of Native peoples, unveil new research on Native voices in media and provide a space for community members and allies to explore issues that impact Native peoples.
“We are beyond thrilled to open the doors to the Indigenous House for the very first time at Sundance Film Festival,” Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of Illuminative, said in a statement. “Storytelling is a powerful force for change, and we’ve seen firsthand how impactful Native representation is. The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation.
- 1/6/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Sundance will continue to see a number of first-time official “houses” dedicated to specific cultural groups during the 2023 festival. IllumiNative, the Indigenous social justice organization founded in 2018, will host the inaugural Indigenous House on Main Street in Park City from Jan. 21 and 22.
“The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation. The Indigenous House is a celebration of the contributions made by Native creatives, artists, filmmakers and the creativity, beauty and strength of Native peoples,” IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk said in a statement. “Our hope is to create a space where Native and non-Native peoples can come together in community, learn and get inspired, acknowledge the barriers Native peoples have overcome and still face in the film industry, as well as celebrate the Native...
“The entertainment industry has always been one of the biggest perpetrators of our erasure, but Native peoples have flipped the script and are breaking barriers and making incredible strides in representation. The Indigenous House is a celebration of the contributions made by Native creatives, artists, filmmakers and the creativity, beauty and strength of Native peoples,” IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk said in a statement. “Our hope is to create a space where Native and non-Native peoples can come together in community, learn and get inspired, acknowledge the barriers Native peoples have overcome and still face in the film industry, as well as celebrate the Native...
- 1/5/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
After a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, CAA’s in-person Amplify Summit is back.
An invitation-only group of artists, thought leaders and industry executives will gather in Ojai tomorrow for a lineup of keynotes, firesides and breakout sessions aimed at leveraging multicultural perspectives to advance goals in both business and justice.
Those who will address this year’s summit include filmmakers Ava DuVernay and Jeymes Samuels; actors Leslie Grace, Stephanie Hsu, Anthony Ramos, Storm Reid, Lauren Ridloff and Yara Shahidi; comedian Amber Ruffin; executives Cris Abrego (Banijay Americas chair and Endemol Shine president and CEO), Franklin Leonard (The Black List founder and CEO) and Jon Platt (Sony Music Publishing chair and CEO); and authors Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone) and Soman Chainani (School for Good and Evil) as well as White House senior advisor and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, IllumiNative founder...
After a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, CAA’s in-person Amplify Summit is back.
An invitation-only group of artists, thought leaders and industry executives will gather in Ojai tomorrow for a lineup of keynotes, firesides and breakout sessions aimed at leveraging multicultural perspectives to advance goals in both business and justice.
Those who will address this year’s summit include filmmakers Ava DuVernay and Jeymes Samuels; actors Leslie Grace, Stephanie Hsu, Anthony Ramos, Storm Reid, Lauren Ridloff and Yara Shahidi; comedian Amber Ruffin; executives Cris Abrego (Banijay Americas chair and Endemol Shine president and CEO), Franklin Leonard (The Black List founder and CEO) and Jon Platt (Sony Music Publishing chair and CEO); and authors Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone) and Soman Chainani (School for Good and Evil) as well as White House senior advisor and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, IllumiNative founder...
- 6/22/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The CAA Amplify summit will make its in-person return on June 22 featuring speakers across entertainment, sports, media, technology, and social justice.
The summit brings together a diverse group of key influencers and industry decision-makers to explore the role business plays in advancing culture and justice for communities of color.
Speaking in front of an invite-only crowd in Ojai, California are Ava DuVernay, Yara Shahidi, Anthony Ramos, Stephanie Hsu, Tomi Adeyemi, Storm Reid, Jeymes Samuel, Jon Platt, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Cris Abrego, Amber Ruffin, Leslie Grace, Crystal Echo Hawk, Lauren Ridloff, Nina Shaw, Soman Chainani, and Franklin Leonard.
“We’re thrilled for the return of CAA Amplify and to once again be in community with so many talented artists and business leaders,” said Ruben Garcia, Executive and Co-Head of Cultural Business Strategy at CAA. “The pandemic helped illustrate the value of the network we have built and how we can use...
The summit brings together a diverse group of key influencers and industry decision-makers to explore the role business plays in advancing culture and justice for communities of color.
Speaking in front of an invite-only crowd in Ojai, California are Ava DuVernay, Yara Shahidi, Anthony Ramos, Stephanie Hsu, Tomi Adeyemi, Storm Reid, Jeymes Samuel, Jon Platt, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Cris Abrego, Amber Ruffin, Leslie Grace, Crystal Echo Hawk, Lauren Ridloff, Nina Shaw, Soman Chainani, and Franklin Leonard.
“We’re thrilled for the return of CAA Amplify and to once again be in community with so many talented artists and business leaders,” said Ruben Garcia, Executive and Co-Head of Cultural Business Strategy at CAA. “The pandemic helped illustrate the value of the network we have built and how we can use...
- 6/22/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter has announced the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart.
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
- 4/14/2022
- Look to the Stars
The History Channel has teamed up with a slew of A-listers on its latest slate of docuseries and non-scripted series.
The A+E Networks cable network has ordered six series from Leonardo DiCaprio, Ray Liotta, Pierce Brosnan, Peyton Manning and Robin Roberts ahead of its latest Upfront ad event.
DiCaprio, who has previously worked with the network on miniseries Grant, is behind docuseries Sitting Bull, Good Morning America’s Roberts is behind WWI series Harlem Hellfighters, NFL legend Manning is behind The Einstein Challenge and History’s Greatest of All-Time with Peyton Manning and Liotta is behind Five Families.
Four-part series Sitting Bull traces the life of the legendary Hunkpapa Lakota chief, a fierce warrior, loving father, and holy man. It will detail seminal moments and key figures in Native American history including the Battle of Little Big Horn, Washita Massacre, Crazy Horse, Battle of Cedar Creek and the Wounded Knee Massacre.
The A+E Networks cable network has ordered six series from Leonardo DiCaprio, Ray Liotta, Pierce Brosnan, Peyton Manning and Robin Roberts ahead of its latest Upfront ad event.
DiCaprio, who has previously worked with the network on miniseries Grant, is behind docuseries Sitting Bull, Good Morning America’s Roberts is behind WWI series Harlem Hellfighters, NFL legend Manning is behind The Einstein Challenge and History’s Greatest of All-Time with Peyton Manning and Liotta is behind Five Families.
Four-part series Sitting Bull traces the life of the legendary Hunkpapa Lakota chief, a fierce warrior, loving father, and holy man. It will detail seminal moments and key figures in Native American history including the Battle of Little Big Horn, Washita Massacre, Crazy Horse, Battle of Cedar Creek and the Wounded Knee Massacre.
- 3/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Black List announced its second annual collaboration with IllumiNative and the Sundance Institute to craft The Indigenous List, which highlights the very best Indigenous screenwriters from both feature films and television.
Launched in 2020, the inaugural edition of The Indigenous List set out to provide a platform for Indigenous writers to elevate their scripts to new levels of opportunities within the industry. With the rising popularity of Indigenous-created and led stories such as Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs, this moment in the film and television landscape has seen an unprecedented interest in and an increased demand for Indigenous talent and their work.
“We must support Native creatives as they tell their own stories. IllumiNative is proud to support opportunities for Native storytellers to share their talent and skills with the industry on a platform like The Indigenous List. We are grateful to partners like The Black List, the Sundance Indigenous Program,...
Launched in 2020, the inaugural edition of The Indigenous List set out to provide a platform for Indigenous writers to elevate their scripts to new levels of opportunities within the industry. With the rising popularity of Indigenous-created and led stories such as Rutherford Falls and Reservation Dogs, this moment in the film and television landscape has seen an unprecedented interest in and an increased demand for Indigenous talent and their work.
“We must support Native creatives as they tell their own stories. IllumiNative is proud to support opportunities for Native storytellers to share their talent and skills with the industry on a platform like The Indigenous List. We are grateful to partners like The Black List, the Sundance Indigenous Program,...
- 11/10/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Timed with Native American Heritage Month, IllumiNative, a Native-led, women-led nonprofit, has released a Native American industry guide addressed to studios and production companies everywhere. The guide outlines the best practices for increasing Native representation in television and film in ways that are both positive and accurate.
“There’s been little to no representation of Native peoples in TV and film, and it’s actually sort of remained stagnant, kind of hovering between 0 to 0.4% over the last few years,” said IllumiNative founder and CEO Crystal Echo Hawk. “Any films that have been coming out are Westerns, genres, pre-1900 representation, and that has really been it until we started to see things take off in these game-changing last couple years with ‘Reservation Dogs’ and ‘Rutherford Falls,’ just completely changing the entire landscape. It shouldn’t have taken this long, and we are celebrating them and it’s exciting, but it took...
“There’s been little to no representation of Native peoples in TV and film, and it’s actually sort of remained stagnant, kind of hovering between 0 to 0.4% over the last few years,” said IllumiNative founder and CEO Crystal Echo Hawk. “Any films that have been coming out are Westerns, genres, pre-1900 representation, and that has really been it until we started to see things take off in these game-changing last couple years with ‘Reservation Dogs’ and ‘Rutherford Falls,’ just completely changing the entire landscape. It shouldn’t have taken this long, and we are celebrating them and it’s exciting, but it took...
- 11/3/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Amazon Studios presents its newest “Voices” virtual event, highlighting the many contributions to entertainment from the native community, as well as Hollywood’s complicity in the ongoing erasure and whitewashing of indigenous stories.
With the intent of celebrating the heritage, diversity and beauty of Native American communities, plus evaluating Native American representation in current film and changing the narrative of indigenous culture in media, the one-day program will take place on Nov. 8 and will be available to stream on Amazon Live and Prime Video’s YouTube channel.
The entertainment-focused lineup features Bird Runningwater, Crystal Echo Hawk (IllumiNative founder and CEO), Heather Rae, Jenna Clause (“The Wilds”) and Leah Salgado (IllumiNative’s chief impact officer), as well as performances by artist and producer Mato Wayuhi and singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza.
See the full lineup for the program below.
11:30-11:37 Am Pt | Welcome & Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Speaker: Mato Wayuhi,...
With the intent of celebrating the heritage, diversity and beauty of Native American communities, plus evaluating Native American representation in current film and changing the narrative of indigenous culture in media, the one-day program will take place on Nov. 8 and will be available to stream on Amazon Live and Prime Video’s YouTube channel.
The entertainment-focused lineup features Bird Runningwater, Crystal Echo Hawk (IllumiNative founder and CEO), Heather Rae, Jenna Clause (“The Wilds”) and Leah Salgado (IllumiNative’s chief impact officer), as well as performances by artist and producer Mato Wayuhi and singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza.
See the full lineup for the program below.
11:30-11:37 Am Pt | Welcome & Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Speaker: Mato Wayuhi,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The CAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of talent and sports agency, and the Pop Culture Collaborative revealed the launch of Evolutionaries, a collective of movement leaders, cultural organizers, and civic activists who are using storytelling to create change.
Four Evolutionaries have been selected, and over a nine-month period, each individual will receive $50,000 from the Pop Culture Collaborative’s Becoming America Fund and the CAA Foundation to support their nonpartisan projects, and curated mentorship from the CAA Foundation, and access to Pop Culture Collaborative’s Abundance League.
“For over 25 years, the CAA Foundation has activated popular culture to create sustainable, positive social change,” said Natalie Tran, Executive Director, CAA Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with the Pop Culture Collaborative to launch this unique program, which uplifts the voices of movement leaders as storytellers who show us how to create a more just and equitable world for all.”
The participants have spent their careers leading organizations,...
Four Evolutionaries have been selected, and over a nine-month period, each individual will receive $50,000 from the Pop Culture Collaborative’s Becoming America Fund and the CAA Foundation to support their nonpartisan projects, and curated mentorship from the CAA Foundation, and access to Pop Culture Collaborative’s Abundance League.
“For over 25 years, the CAA Foundation has activated popular culture to create sustainable, positive social change,” said Natalie Tran, Executive Director, CAA Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with the Pop Culture Collaborative to launch this unique program, which uplifts the voices of movement leaders as storytellers who show us how to create a more just and equitable world for all.”
The participants have spent their careers leading organizations,...
- 10/26/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Array and Google have found the first recipient of their $500,000 Feature Film Grant in Hawaiian filmmaker Alika Maikau.
The award, fittingly (and coincidentally) announced on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, will include mentorship from the advisory committee that selected Maikau, including producer Gabrielle Glore, Visual Communications executive director Francis Cullado, IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk, Film Independent senior director of education and international initiatives María Raquel Bozzi and Mumbai Academy of Moving Image artistic director Smriti Kiran. Google will provide the $500,000 for Maikau’s production, which will be sourced by Array Crew, the database of below-the-line professionals from historically ...
The award, fittingly (and coincidentally) announced on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, will include mentorship from the advisory committee that selected Maikau, including producer Gabrielle Glore, Visual Communications executive director Francis Cullado, IllumiNative founder and executive director Crystal Echo Hawk, Film Independent senior director of education and international initiatives María Raquel Bozzi and Mumbai Academy of Moving Image artistic director Smriti Kiran. Google will provide the $500,000 for Maikau’s production, which will be sourced by Array Crew, the database of below-the-line professionals from historically ...
- 10/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Emmy-nominated film and TV writer-director Sydney Freeland has signed on to direct “Rez Ball,” a coming-of-age drama about Native American basketball for Netflix.
Described as “Friday Night Lights” meets “Hoosiers,” “Rez Ball” follows the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico, that must band together after losing their star player in order to keep their quest for a state championship alive. It’s an all-American underdog story about Navajo kids and coaches told from the inside-out.
Written by Freeland (a Navajo filmmaker) and Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek), the drama is produced by Wise Entertainment and The SpringHill Company.
“I am beyond excited to be working with Netflix, Wise Entertainment and The SpringHill Company to bring this story to life,” Freeland said of the project. “Basketball on the Rez is like high school football in West Texas. It has a fanatical following that few sports can rival.
Described as “Friday Night Lights” meets “Hoosiers,” “Rez Ball” follows the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico, that must band together after losing their star player in order to keep their quest for a state championship alive. It’s an all-American underdog story about Navajo kids and coaches told from the inside-out.
Written by Freeland (a Navajo filmmaker) and Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee Creek), the drama is produced by Wise Entertainment and The SpringHill Company.
“I am beyond excited to be working with Netflix, Wise Entertainment and The SpringHill Company to bring this story to life,” Freeland said of the project. “Basketball on the Rez is like high school football in West Texas. It has a fanatical following that few sports can rival.
- 8/5/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Sydney Freeland is directing the coming-of-age sports drama Rez Ball for Netflix.
The film described as Friday Night Lights meets Hoosiers explores the raw and exhilarating world of “reservation basketball” with its unique, lightening-quick pace that is rumored to have influenced top NBA teams and coaches throughout the years.
It follows the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico that must band together after losing their star player, if they want to keep their quest for a state championship alive. It’s an all-American underdog story about Navajo kids and coaches, told from the inside-out.
Rez Ball is inspired by Michael Powell’s critically acclaimed nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams, as well as the groundbreaking New York Times articles that preceded it. Freeland wrote the script with Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs).
Maurício and Katie Mota’s Wise Entertainment...
The film described as Friday Night Lights meets Hoosiers explores the raw and exhilarating world of “reservation basketball” with its unique, lightening-quick pace that is rumored to have influenced top NBA teams and coaches throughout the years.
It follows the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico that must band together after losing their star player, if they want to keep their quest for a state championship alive. It’s an all-American underdog story about Navajo kids and coaches, told from the inside-out.
Rez Ball is inspired by Michael Powell’s critically acclaimed nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams, as well as the groundbreaking New York Times articles that preceded it. Freeland wrote the script with Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs).
Maurício and Katie Mota’s Wise Entertainment...
- 8/5/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
LeBron James’ SpringHill Company will produce a film for Netflix about a Native American style of basketball commonly known as “Rez Ball.” The streamer has set Sydney Freeland to co-write and direct the feature.
Freeland is a Navajo filmmaker known for “Drunktown’s Finest” and the upcoming FX show “Reservation Dogs.” She will direct “Rez Ball” in addition to co-writing with “Reservation Dogs” collaborator Sterlin Harjo.
The term “Rez Ball,” or “rezball,” is short for “reservation ball” and is a style of basketball specific to Native American reservations that involves transition play, aggressive defense, quick scoring and strategic pressure meant to force half-court traps.
The film is based on a non-fiction sports novel called “Canyon Dreams” by Michael Powell, as well as a New York Times article that preceded it.
“Rez Ball” is a coming-of-age sports drama, and the film is described as “Friday Night Lights” meets “Hoosiers.” It follows the Chuska Warriors,...
Freeland is a Navajo filmmaker known for “Drunktown’s Finest” and the upcoming FX show “Reservation Dogs.” She will direct “Rez Ball” in addition to co-writing with “Reservation Dogs” collaborator Sterlin Harjo.
The term “Rez Ball,” or “rezball,” is short for “reservation ball” and is a style of basketball specific to Native American reservations that involves transition play, aggressive defense, quick scoring and strategic pressure meant to force half-court traps.
The film is based on a non-fiction sports novel called “Canyon Dreams” by Michael Powell, as well as a New York Times article that preceded it.
“Rez Ball” is a coming-of-age sports drama, and the film is described as “Friday Night Lights” meets “Hoosiers.” It follows the Chuska Warriors,...
- 8/5/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Ava Duvernay’s distribution, arts and advocacy collective Array has partnered with Google to launch a new feature film grant benefiting emerging creatives from underrepresented communities.
The filmmaker selected for the Array + Google Feature Film Grant will receive $500,000 to fund their first full-length feature film. Additionally, the project’s production will be staffed by Array crew, the collective’s inclusive hiring database for below-the-line crew members.
“Having started my filmmaking journey by self-funding projects, this is a full-circle moment,” DuVernay said, announcing the partnership. “I’m pleased to partner with Google and Array’s grant advisory committee to identify an emerging writer/director to bring their vision to the screen. Inclusive storytelling is at the heart of Array’s mission and we’re proud to also provide access to Array Crew in order to further ensure that the set of the grantee’s film reflects the full array of the world around us.
The filmmaker selected for the Array + Google Feature Film Grant will receive $500,000 to fund their first full-length feature film. Additionally, the project’s production will be staffed by Array crew, the collective’s inclusive hiring database for below-the-line crew members.
“Having started my filmmaking journey by self-funding projects, this is a full-circle moment,” DuVernay said, announcing the partnership. “I’m pleased to partner with Google and Array’s grant advisory committee to identify an emerging writer/director to bring their vision to the screen. Inclusive storytelling is at the heart of Array’s mission and we’re proud to also provide access to Array Crew in order to further ensure that the set of the grantee’s film reflects the full array of the world around us.
- 6/2/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Ava Duvernay’s Array has partnered with Google to create a new $500,000 feature film grant available to up-and-coming creatives from historically underrepresented communities.
The endowment, referred to as The Array + Google Feature Film Grant, will prove funds allowing the recipient to produce their first full-length feature. The initiative speaks to ongoing efforts, on the part of Array and Google, to help amplify marginalized voices, thereby building toward a more equitable and inclusive artistic community.
The recipient of this year’s grant will be chosen by an indie film advisory committee that includes Gabrielle Glore, Francis Cullado, Crystal Echo Hawk, María Rauqel Bozzi (Senior Director of Education & International Initiatives at Film Independent), and Jio Mami.
The production to be funded through the grant...
The endowment, referred to as The Array + Google Feature Film Grant, will prove funds allowing the recipient to produce their first full-length feature. The initiative speaks to ongoing efforts, on the part of Array and Google, to help amplify marginalized voices, thereby building toward a more equitable and inclusive artistic community.
The recipient of this year’s grant will be chosen by an indie film advisory committee that includes Gabrielle Glore, Francis Cullado, Crystal Echo Hawk, María Rauqel Bozzi (Senior Director of Education & International Initiatives at Film Independent), and Jio Mami.
The production to be funded through the grant...
- 6/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s Array and Google are partnering to award $500,000 in grant money to help an underrepresented artist or creator in making their debut feature film.
The half a million dollar Array + Google Feature Film Grant is meant to build a more equitable and inclusive artistic community of diverse storytellers and hopes to amplify the work of women and people of color. The partnership was brokered by UTA Marketing.
The recipient of the grant and a mentorship opportunity will be selected by people within the indie film community, including Gabrielle Glore, Francis Cullado, Crystal Echo Hawk, María Rauqel Bozzi (senior director of education & international initiatives at Film Independent) and Jio Mami.
“Having started my filmmaking journey by self-funding projects, this is a full-circle moment,” Array founder Ava DuVernay said in a statement. “I’m pleased to partner with Google and Array’s grant advisory committee to identify an emerging writer...
The half a million dollar Array + Google Feature Film Grant is meant to build a more equitable and inclusive artistic community of diverse storytellers and hopes to amplify the work of women and people of color. The partnership was brokered by UTA Marketing.
The recipient of the grant and a mentorship opportunity will be selected by people within the indie film community, including Gabrielle Glore, Francis Cullado, Crystal Echo Hawk, María Rauqel Bozzi (senior director of education & international initiatives at Film Independent) and Jio Mami.
“Having started my filmmaking journey by self-funding projects, this is a full-circle moment,” Array founder Ava DuVernay said in a statement. “I’m pleased to partner with Google and Array’s grant advisory committee to identify an emerging writer...
- 6/2/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Native American-themed films and TV shows have been on the rise recently – Ava DuVernay and Bird Runningwater are developing a dramatic series for NBC about the struggles and triumphs of an Indigenous family – but Hollywood has a long way to go to include Native Americans into its storylines.
During today’s SAG-AFTRA panel discussion about Re-Creating Native Americans in the Media, Hollywood was urged to tell more stories about Native Americans as the modern people that they are, not just as throwbacks to the bygone era of cowboys and Indians – and to give Native Americans a seat at the table to tell their own stories.
“We have the sense of being invisible,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative, a nonprofit initiative designed to increase the visibility of Native Nations and peoples. “And if we are invited into the room, we’re usually the only Native person in the room.
During today’s SAG-AFTRA panel discussion about Re-Creating Native Americans in the Media, Hollywood was urged to tell more stories about Native Americans as the modern people that they are, not just as throwbacks to the bygone era of cowboys and Indians – and to give Native Americans a seat at the table to tell their own stories.
“We have the sense of being invisible,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative, a nonprofit initiative designed to increase the visibility of Native Nations and peoples. “And if we are invited into the room, we’re usually the only Native person in the room.
- 4/16/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, HBO Max announced the release date for its new dark comedy, “Made For Love,” and Disney greenlit “Zombies 3.”
Dates
“Made For Love,” a dark comedy adapted from Alissa Nutting‘s novel of the same name, will debut on HBO Max with the first three episodes on April 1. The show follows Hazel Green (Cristin Milioti), a 30-something woman escaping a toxic marriage to tech billionaire Byron Gogol (Billy Magnussen), who has implanted a futuristic monitoring device in her brain. Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, Augusto Aguilera, Caleb Foote and Ray Romano also star in “Made For Love,” which is executive produced by Nutting, showrunner Christina Lee, Patrick Somerville, Dean Bakopoulos, Liza Chasin and Sj Clarkson. Paramount Television Studios is the studio. The series is directed by Alethea Jones and Stephanie Laing, who also serves as co-executive producer. Watch a trailer below.
Comedy Central has announced that...
Dates
“Made For Love,” a dark comedy adapted from Alissa Nutting‘s novel of the same name, will debut on HBO Max with the first three episodes on April 1. The show follows Hazel Green (Cristin Milioti), a 30-something woman escaping a toxic marriage to tech billionaire Byron Gogol (Billy Magnussen), who has implanted a futuristic monitoring device in her brain. Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, Augusto Aguilera, Caleb Foote and Ray Romano also star in “Made For Love,” which is executive produced by Nutting, showrunner Christina Lee, Patrick Somerville, Dean Bakopoulos, Liza Chasin and Sj Clarkson. Paramount Television Studios is the studio. The series is directed by Alethea Jones and Stephanie Laing, who also serves as co-executive producer. Watch a trailer below.
Comedy Central has announced that...
- 3/22/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Black List, along with IllumiNative and the Sundance Institute have selected the nine scripts for the inaugural Indigneous List, which spotlights some of the best (if not the best) Indigenous film and television writers living and working within the U.S.
Submissions for The Indigenous List kicked off in June and closed in September. The Native-led nonprofit Illuminative launched to increase the visibility of Native peoples in American society. They challenge negative narratives, stories, and stereotypes about Native peoples and provide tools to develop an accurate representation of voices of Native peoples.
Here are the scripts selected for The first Indigenous List in alphabetical order:
Bunker Boss by Joey Clift
After a nuclear war forces most of humanity into underground bunkers, a total loser must become the inspirational leader of a bunker known to execute any leader that drops below a 60% approval rating. (Animated)
Fancy Dance by Erica Tremblay...
Submissions for The Indigenous List kicked off in June and closed in September. The Native-led nonprofit Illuminative launched to increase the visibility of Native peoples in American society. They challenge negative narratives, stories, and stereotypes about Native peoples and provide tools to develop an accurate representation of voices of Native peoples.
Here are the scripts selected for The first Indigenous List in alphabetical order:
Bunker Boss by Joey Clift
After a nuclear war forces most of humanity into underground bunkers, a total loser must become the inspirational leader of a bunker known to execute any leader that drops below a 60% approval rating. (Animated)
Fancy Dance by Erica Tremblay...
- 12/8/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The Black List is partnering with IllumiNative and Sundance Institute for its latest collaboration: The Indigenous List. The inaugural list highlights the very best Indigenous screenwriters from both feature films and television — and submissions are open starting today.
Filmmakers and content creators are invited to submit a script for consideration by uploading it to The Black List. Submissions are open today and will be accepted until September 27 with an evaluation purchase deadline of August 27.
The Native-led nonprofit Illuminative launched to increase the visibility of Native peoples in American society. They challenge negative narratives, stories, and stereotypes about Native peoples and provide tools to develop an accurate representation of voices of Native peoples.
“IllumiNative is honored to partner with the Black List and the Sundance Institute to create this opportunity to showcase and amplify Indigenous stories and creative talent. Our research has shown that 78% of Americans want to learn more about...
Filmmakers and content creators are invited to submit a script for consideration by uploading it to The Black List. Submissions are open today and will be accepted until September 27 with an evaluation purchase deadline of August 27.
The Native-led nonprofit Illuminative launched to increase the visibility of Native peoples in American society. They challenge negative narratives, stories, and stereotypes about Native peoples and provide tools to develop an accurate representation of voices of Native peoples.
“IllumiNative is honored to partner with the Black List and the Sundance Institute to create this opportunity to showcase and amplify Indigenous stories and creative talent. Our research has shown that 78% of Americans want to learn more about...
- 6/24/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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