CULTURA | Octubre 28, 2009 09:57 am

34th Annual American Indian Film Festival

Commemorates National Indian Heritage Month with diversified programming, including 80 films, in-depth media panels, special screenings, and a star-studded awards showcase in San Francisco, Fall of 2009

LVMedia

San Francisco, CA - The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI), proudly announces the 34th annual American Indian Film Festival, November 6-14, 2009. The American Indian Film Festival will premiere over 80 innovative feature films, shorts, public service, music videos and documentaries of USA American Indian and Canada First Nation communities.

Founded in 1975, AIFF has established itself as the premiere Native film festival in North America. This year’s selection continues to celebrate the Festival’s tradition for excellence and diversity with powerful performances and new cinematic expression by cutting-edge media makers.

 

Prominent Sponsors of the 2009 AIFI Festival are; The Seminole Tribe of Florida; Yocha De-He Wintun Nation, CA; National Education Association; San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, CA; CBS Television, NY; KQED TV9; and Grants for the Arts.

 

Public screenings and events will be held for nine days, from Nov. 6-11 at the Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema, One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level; and conclude Nov. 12-14 at the Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St. @ Bay Street.

 

“The film festival and awards show are the cornerstone of what we do — provide an opportunity and national venue for emerging and established filmmakers, entertainers and performing artists to convene, renew their artistic spirit and share their gifts." - Founder/ Director Michael Smith.

 

Opening the Festival on Nov. 6, is the feature documentary People of the Seal (72 min) – an in- depth exploration into the insight and understanding of the Unangan (People of the Seal) who reside in the world’s harshest environment and whose culture is near extinction.

People of the Seal is preceded by short film Tungijuq (7 min), a story about Inuit seal hunting which stars Inuit singer-artist, Tanya Tagaq and produced by award winning filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner).

Closing the American Indian Film Festival on Nov. 13, is the dramatic feature film Barking Water (81 min) directed by award- winning director and AIFF favorite Sterlin Harjo (Four Sheets to the Wind). The film traces the impromptu journey taken by estranged couple Frankie and Irene as they visit the stations of their fractured relationship and learn the meaning of coming home and what it takes to get there. Director Sterlin Harjo and actors Casey Camp-Horinek and Richard Ray Whitman, will be in attendance for Q&A.

SCREENINGS AND TICKETS INFO

Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema
One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level
San Francisco, CA                                           

Showtimes: Nov. 6- 11

 

Palace of Fine Arts

3301 Lyon St.@ Bay St.

San Francisco,CA

Showtimes: Nov. 12-13

 

A complete schedule is available on AIFI’s website www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the general public and will require tickets for admission.

Advance Tickets available thru AIFI: 415-554-0525 Visa & Mastercard. On-site tickets available at the venues listed above (on day of show.)