Why are the media ignoring the American Indian Film Festival?

Out of all the film festivals in the Bay Area, the American Indian Film Festival gets the least amount of attention, yet it's one of the most important because American Indians are still so marginalized in the media and society.

Michael Smith is the founder and president of the American Indian Film Institute -- the institute is a nonprofit media arts center founded in 1979 to foster understanding of the culture, traditions, and issues of contemporary Native Americans. Michael is a member of the Sioux tribe. The festival kicks off on Friday, November 5, in San Francisco and runs through the 13th. The films are showing at the Embarcadero and the Palace of Fine Arts.

The festival features 120 films, documentaries, animated shorts, and music videos from around the U.S. and Canada. Topics focus on everything from native history and the loss of native languages to healthcare and addiction.

Many of the films also deal with Native identity--exploring what it means to be native today.

Check out the schedule here and please spread the word: http://www.aifisf.com/aiff/2010/?fMenu=program

To listen to the hour-long Your Call radio show with Michael Smith, Jack Kohler, co-director of "Behind the Door of a Secret Girl," and Ernest Webb, president of Rezolution Pictures and producer of "Reel Injun," click here: http://is.gd/gLAXM

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[abenasongbird]

This film festival, now 33 years strong, has been one of the most cohesive events to bring together urban Natives, and shine a light to enhance culture, make proud all our peoples, and was a highlight of my 16 years living in the Bay Area. Mike Smith, and Cathy, were always doggedly giving voice to breaking Native film and entertainment - keeping the community upraised, enlightened and informed and I am deeply grateful to their committment and tenacity.

Great Interview Mike!

[blairbushproject]

keep up the good work American Indian Film Festival!

[WinnememWintu]

Good interview. The general public only knows the view presented by the mainstream media of tribal issues. We need to support this and other tribal film festivals and ensure that they get the same look as Redford's film festival in Colorado and the Tribeca film festival in New York.

[blueorangelettuce]

i had no idea there even was a native american film festival... wow, thanks!