Big Sky Film Festival: Panel on indigenous film scheduled for Feb. 15

Hello Folks:

The Big Sky Film Festival is off with a bang-up start. Yesterday, I made it to four films, “Junior,” directed Jenna Rosher; “Trail of Tears,” by Chris Eyre, and “Girls on the Wall,” directed by Shannon Walsh and finally, “Ghost Bird” by Scott Crocker. Today, I have other obligations, but I am going to make it to “H2Oil,” by Shannon Walsh. The flick is entered in the Feature Competition category this year. It’s a story about the tar sands development in Canada, the largest industrial project in world history. If you don’t know anything about the tar sands and its impact on water, check out film.

As for Saturday, all the films were followed by a Montana Film Office Party reception at the Dana Gallery, one of the many special events scheduled throughout the festival for all-access pass holders.

Meanwhile, tons of other events are free and open tothe public, including a panel with indigenous filmmakers as part of the Indigenous Visions Sidebar program.

Here are the details:

Monday, Feb 15, 1:30-2:30 pm Panel Discussion – Indigenous Visions Angelica Lawson, Professor of Native American Studies at The University of Montana hosts a panel discussion on issues facing Native American filmmakers. Participants will discuss funding, and distribution as well as issues of representation. Confirmed panelists include Shirley K. Sneve, Executive Director of Native American Public Telecommunications, Rene Haynes, Casting Agent, Tracy Rector, filmmaker (Unreserved). Downtown Dance Collective, 121 W. Main • Free and open to the public

See you there.

Jodi Rave