Film Series At The Billy Wilder Theater and Newly Opened Vidiots Eagle Theatre
In the wake of the Standing Rock movement and the subsequent rise in Native visibility, a dynamic collective of Indigenous artists is reshaping cinematic narratives and blazing new trails in the industry. UCLA Film & Television Archive and the UCLA American Indian Studies Center present Imagining Indigenous Cinema: New Voices, New Visions puts the spotlight on a generation of innovative filmmakers who draw inspiration from their personal backgrounds and intergenerational experiences, crafting thought-provoking and genre-defying works that ignite a powerful awakening.
Programs & Events
| Title | Date and Time | Location | Buy Tickets | |
 | Offsite: Love and Fury + short films | June 16, 2023 – 7:30 pm | Vidiots Eagle Theatre | Register here |
 | Realizing Futures | June 17, 2023 – 7:30 pm | Billy Wilder Theater | Register here |
 | An Evening with Sky Hopinka | June 18, 2023 – 7:00 pm | Billy Wilder Theater | Register here |
Breaking free from the need to justify Indigenous survival and existence on screen, these visionary filmmakers are pushing the boundaries of storytelling. With proactive world-building at the forefront, they delve into themes of post-colonial resilience, re-matriation of cultures and traditions, land-based relationships, critiques of the institutional and socio-political settler state, and celebrations of Indigenous queer joy. Through their narratives, these filmmakers establish new forms of Indigenous cinematic expression, envisioning vibrant Indigenous futures and inspiring fresh possibilities while challenging dominant representations.
Imagining Indigenous Cinema presents an impressive lineup of over 40 films showcased over three weekends in June. Alongside the screenings, captivating discussions and panels featuring the filmmakers will provide audiences with unique insights into the creative processes behind these groundbreaking works. The program encompasses a diverse range of short and feature-length films and videos created by Indigenous artists from the United States and Indigenous Nations within.
The program culminates in a retrospective screening and conversation with Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians). Other confirmed in-person participants include Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo Nation) and Christopher Kahunahana (Kanaka Maoli, Native Hawaiian).
Screenings will take place at the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum and the Eagle Theatre, the new home of Vidiots Foundation. In a bid to maximize accessibility, the screenings will also be live-streamed on June 17 and 18. Vidiots Foundation, committed to fostering human interaction around film and media, is set to reopen its doors in June 2023 at the historic Eagle Theatre in Northeast Los Angeles.
The realization of the Imagining Indigenous Cinema program is made possible through support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The event expresses gratitude to community partners, including The Autry Museum, The Chapter House, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Indigenous Circle of Wellness, Los Angeles Filmforum, LA Skins Fest, Meztli Projects, Mezzanine, Oxy Arts, So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project, and UCLA AMIA Student Chapter.
Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking works of Indigenous filmmakers and join the celebration of Indigenous voices and visions at Imagining Indigenous Cinema: New Voices, New Visions. Experience the transformative power of cinema as it challenges, inspires, and embraces Indigenous perspectives.
For further information and the program schedule, please visit the program website here.
