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Film Fest @ Isis Theater, October 18-19, 2024
Cara Romero
Following the Light
Explores Contemporary Fine Art photographer and Chemehuevi citizen Cara Romero's work, which captures Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural memory, collective history, and lived experiences from a Native American female perspective. "Following the Light" includes behind-the-scenes footage of Cara's shoots, archival photos, and interviews with Cara and her friends, family, and collaborators.
IN THE DIRT
"IN THE DIRT" is a documentary film about a group of passionate Native American cyclists who attempt to bring the sport of mountain biking to the Navajo Nation, where no bike shops exist.
In 2018, retired pro cyclist Scott Nydam and his family moved to Gallup, New Mexico, to pursue a healthcare job for his wife. Soon after their arrival, Scott began meeting passionate mountain bikers across the 28,000-mile expanse of the Navajo Nation who loved the bike and wanted to bring the sport to their communities. The only problem is no bike shops existed. Through a grassroots native-led effort, this group of dedicated cyclists and their families have overcome countless odds to build a cycling culture that today has become the fastest-growing recreational sport on the Navajo Nation.
We Ride for Her
Riding for Resilience
WE RIDE FOR HER follows the dual narratives of two Indigenous women: Lorna and Heather.
Lorna is part of an Indigenous motorcycle group and sisterhood called The Medicine Wheel Riders. The sisters organize a ride every year called The Medicine Wheel Ride that brings the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the largest motorcycle rally in the United States. Heather is a travel nurse and devoted mother to her son Khalid. Khalid is in his final year of college and is dedicated to becoming an activist for Indigenous rights. Both Heather and Khalid are searching for their sister and aunt Susan, who went missing a little over a year ago.
Joe Buffalo
Joe Buffalo is an Indigenous skateboarding legend. He’s also a survivor of Canada’s notorious Indian Residential School system. Following a traumatic childhood and decades of addiction, Joe must face his inner demons to realize his dream of turning pro.
Spirit of the Peaks
A film about the struggle for balance between two worlds. For Hunkpapa Lakota skier Connor Ryan, skiing in Ute Territory has always raised questions about being in reciprocity with the land and its people. As a skier who connects with the land through sport, he empathizes with the injustices that have displaced the Utes and the ongoing colonization, erasure, and extraction impacting the Ute people. This story connects conflicted pasts to an awakening in cultural awareness that can create an equitable future for Indigenous people and skiers.
Q & A with Connor Ryan following the film.
Homecoming
Follow Jason Baldes, an Eastern Shoshone and a member of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, as he leads historic transfers of bison to Indigenous communities which will maintain their herds to supply a healthy food source and cultural touchstone for their tribal citizens. The film explores what living among the bison once again means for Native people—today and for future generations.
Figure It Out
In this short documentary, award-winning indie filmmaker Mike J. Marin (Navajo/Laguna Pueblo/Washoe) invites us into his struggle with trauma and depression and how the growing art of action figure photography saved his life in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and how this new medium continues to serve as an artistic and creative therapy.
Brave Wear Braids
A short documentary focused on encouraging Indigenous youth not to cut their hair. Through personal stories we look at the challenges faced by many Indigenous families to continue the long-standing tradition of wearing long hair in order to keep the connection that ties them, not only to their culture and ancestors, but also to Creator. Through education, understanding, and allyship this important piece of culture can continue to be passed down to future generations.
Sugarcane
A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, SUGARCANE, the debut feature documentary from Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, is an epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning.
In 2021, evidence of unmarked graves was discovered on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. After years of silence, the forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced at these segregated boarding schools was brought to light, sparking a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities. Set amidst a groundbreaking investigation, SUGARCANE illuminates the beauty of a community breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and finding the strength to persevere.
The Shining Mountains Film Festival includes three contest categories:
Feature films
Short films
Audience Choice
Shining Mountains Film Festival, founded by the Aspen Indigenous Foundation in 2018, is an essential platform to give voice to American Indians.
Featured films and documentaries reveal the unspoken history of our nation, the generational traumas and the struggles that Indigenous Peoples of America face daily.
This annual festival showcases the rich culture, wisdom, traditional ways, beauty, and diversity of the first inhabitants of America.
The festival welcomes all who wish to learn about American Indian traditions, building bridges through education, with the intention of healing both Native American communities and mainstream America.
Thank you to all our filmmakers, audience, volunteers, and sponsors!
Aspen is a place where every day holds an opportunity for greatness.
Want to know what else to do when you’re in town for the film festival? Click here to learn about all that Aspen has to offer. There’s information on Aspen’s long history, arts and culture, tours and sightseeing, as well as a full list of lodging, restaurants, nightlife, and enough outdoor activities to keep your entire family happy.