Native Lens Returns to OIFF on Nov. 13

Colleen Thurston (far left) moderates a discussion on Native cinema during the 2023 film festival. 

An Evening of Films with Native Lens | Wednesday, Nov. 13 @ 7pm

It began with a friendship. 

In 2023, with support from The Telluride Foundation and Arts in Society, OIFF hosted a range of Native artists from around the United States to celebrate Native and Indigenous stories in film. It was an unforgettable lineup that included live performance from Colorado-based artist Gregg Deal, stories from CJ Brafford of the Ute Indian Museum, and a conversation with Kiowa filmmaker Jeffrey Palmer of Cornell University. Audiences were also enriched by the words and images of Choctaw filmmaker Colleen Thurston, a film director and professor at Oklahoma University. Colleen, who served as our Scholar-in-Residence that year, is also the Project Producer for Native Lens, "a film and video project that celebrates and amplifies Indigenous voices." We have cherished our relationship with Native Lens ever since, which has included guest talks by Diné filmmaker Colten Ashley at Ouray School and multiple events in Ouray across a variety of venues. 

Now, to celebrate Native communities in the Four Corners region, OIFF is honored to welcome you to the Wright Opera House on November 13 for an evening of films curated by Native Lens. The evening's lineup includes "WÍICHKɄ PAA TUKWA PɄNI WɄNI (Stand, Looking Toward the Future)" and "Rainbow Youth Rising."

Following the screening, film festival co-founder Jared LaCroix will be in conversation on the stage with Kree Lopez, editor and community liaison for Native Lens. Don't miss this chance to hear from the leadership of Native Lens and OIFF as they discuss Native communities, stories, and filmmakers from Colorado and the broader region. 

Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the door or online.