RNIFF Films Race for the 2023 Oscars
Through our RNCI Red Nation Awards, the only Native Indigenous awards show that is broadcast annually since 2013 on Red Nation Television Network. This is a whole new market for the entertainment industry, films made by and about people of Native Indigenous descent.
The RNIFF-screened Two Oscar-qualifying films to compete in the 2023 Oscar race for Best Live Action and Best Picture. Let’s cheer them on as they race for a nomination.
Native Indigenous film and filmmakers are still underrepresented in mainstream media and pop culture, one of the strongest pathways to breaking those barriers is supporting our mission through our year-round programs.
November 20, 2022 at the RNCI Red Nation Awards Wes Studi won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for A LOVE SONG and BURROS won Best Live Action including The Film Consultant Award went to Larry ‘Bear” Wilson: Burros.
… both are eligible to be shortlisted for the Academy Award, being the largest Native Indigenous film festival in the entertainment industry, this is fantastic news. Congratulations to our Filmmakers.
DID YOU KNOW
There have only been 2 Native filmmakers, that we know of, that have made the Oscars short-list in its 95 year history as of 2023!
American Holocaust: When Its All Over I’ll Still Be Indian‘ 2000 for Best Doc Short, director Joanelle Romero
‘Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice’ 2021 for Best Animated Short Film, director Zacharias Kunuk.
#WhoTellsTheStoryMatters
First Native Film Screening at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Linwood Dunn Theatre in AMPAS 90th year history.
As a proud member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and founder of The 22nd Red Nation International Film Festival, we are honored to have 22nd Red Nation Film Festival Opening Weekend Screening THE WOMEN IN THE SAND at the prestigious Linwood Dunn Theatre.
This was the first Native screening/event in the almost 90 year history of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
THE WOMEN IN THE SAND
The Story of Death Valley’s Original People
Narrated by Edward James Olmos
U. S. Premiere
Friday, November 10, 2017
Full House / RNFF had representation from Tonvya, Chumash, Apache, Cheyenne, Lakota, Blackfeet, Dine Navajo including many other nations from across Indian Country America including Oscar Nominated Actors, Academy member, actors, musicians, tribal members and over 75 students.
Oscar History
In honor of the The Academy Awards, Red Nation International Film Festival thought we’d share some facts of these ground-breaking American Indian Oscar Winners, Nominees and Activists. This list does not include the Governor Awards. The Academy Awards (Oscars) and The Governor Awards are two different Awards presented on two different dates.
1970, Chief Dan George was the first Native American nominee for a worthy performance in ‘Little Big Man’
1973, Marlon Brando took a stand for American Indian Image and the Industry’s treatment of American Indian in not accepting the Oscar for “Godfather’ instead sent Sacheen Littlefeather to speak on his behalf.
There have only been two Native ACTORS to be nominated for an Oscar;
Chief Dan George for his role in the 1970 Little Big Man
Graham Greene for his roles in the 1991 Dance with Wolves
There has only been one Native to *WIN* an Oscar;
1982, Buffy Sainte Marie (Musician) – Best Music, Original Song for An Officer and a Gentleman, For the song “Up Where We Belong”.
There has only been one Native FILMMAKER to be short-listed for an Oscar;
2000, Joanelle Romero’s (actor/director/producer/founder of Red Nation Film Festival/Native Women in Film) documentary short, American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian, narrated by Edward Asner, makes the Academy’s Documentary Short Branch. She was shortlisted in preliminary round. This documentary is the first and only film that compares Hitler’s attempted genocide of German Jews with the U.S. government’s treatment of American Indians and the lasting effects on the culture today.
Romero’s is the only Native filmmaker to date in The Academy in Motion Picture Arts & Sciences that was short-listed for an Oscar in the Documentary Short Branch. Romero is the first Native filmmaker to receive in 2005 the Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award for “the vision to see the truth and the courage to speak it.” Romero as of 2016 is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Romero’s film was entered into the The Academy Awards for OSCAR consideration in 2000. 22 short films were entered that year, then Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting “9 films were short-listed out of 22 films submitted that year. American Holocaust: When It’s All Over I’ll Still Be Indian was part of the 9 chosen. Then five were nominated. Before the film was removed from Youtube in 2009, it had reached 3 million views . You can watch this award-winning film on Red Nation Television Network. www.rednationtv.com
