LOS ANGELES, CA August 5, 2016. Joanelle Romero is honored to be a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science to increase their efforts in diversity. Romero will lend her voice and expertise in advancing the American Indian image in the entertainment industry.
Romero’s colorful heritage is a combination of Apache, Cheyenne and Spanish Sephardic Jewish blood. She is the founder of the Red Nation Television Network, Red Nation Film Festival, Native Women in Film & Television, and the Red Nation Celebration Institute . “Receiving this nomination into The Academy is the highest honor in our industry and one I do not take for granted. It represents all the ones who have paved the way before me and it opens the door for the future generations,” stated Romero.
President Obama, along with First lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Oprah Winfrey invited Romero as part of a delegation to The United State of Women Summit in Washington D.C. Romero presented her ground-breaking Native Women in Film & Television Initiative to congressional members, this past June. This created a forum with great dialogue and follow up meetings, being set now.
Romero is an award-winning director, producer, and writer for American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian, that made the Academy’s Documentary Branch shortlist. This is the first and only film to date that addresses the American Indian and Jewish Holocausts. Narrated by Ed Asner. Romero is the only native filmmaker in the 89 years of Academy’s history to garner this honor.
Romero is best known for portraying Bonnie Red Bow in the Sundance Award winner Pow Wow Highway; which opened the door for contemporary native films. Her debut in A Girl Called Hatter Fox, was ground-breaking being the first contemporary native women’s story produced in the U.S. and was the first time an American Indian actress carried a leading role in a contemporary film. Romero has been in numerous other films and roles in episodic television and MOW’s.
Romero is rep’d by Penny Vizcarra of Manos Public Relations, Marcia Daley of The Daley Law Group and Red Nation Media Group for management.
Manos Public Relations
Penny Vizcarra
424.777.0548
Red Nation Media Group
Nadine Aragon
818.665.5753
