The 30th Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) has reached another major milestone, marking its fifth non-consecutive year with films advancing into the Academy Awards conversation. This year, YANUNI has been shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

“It was an absolute honor to win the Best Doc Feature Award at this most prestigious Indigenous festival. Juma Xipaia lead the way, and I devote this award to her and the Xipaya people, who are the ultimate frontline defenders in this most urgent environmental crisis our planet is facing today,” – Richard Ladkani Director Yanuni

RNIFF The Gateway to Awards Season. Every year, awards season begins with a rightful spotlight on Native and Indigenous representation, led by Red Nation Celebration Institute. For years, RNIFF has proudly selected films that later receive nominations or wins at prestigious ceremonies, including the Academy Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards, Golden Globes and Cannes.

Within the film industry, and particularly at the Academy Awards, meaningful progress for Native filmmakers began in 2000 when the first Native filmmaker was short-listed for an Academy Award. This milestone marked a crucial step in the long-overdue recognition of Native voices telling their own stories on the world’s biggest stage.

There have only been three Native filmmakers-that we know of-to make the Oscars short list in the Academy’s 97-year history, with Sugarcane marking the first-ever nomination. As we look toward the 98th Oscars, we remain hopeful for greater amplification of Native and Indigenous storytellers. 

American Holocaust: When Its All Over I’ll Still Be Indian 2000 for Best Doc Short, director Joanelle Romero, Apache.

Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice 2021 for Best Animated Short Film, director Zacharias Kunuk, Inuk Nation.

Sugarcane 2025 for Best Documentary Feature, director Julian Brave NoiseCat, Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation. 

RNCI & THE OSCARS: HISTORIC TIMELINE 

The Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) continues to solidify its place as a critical platform for awards-caliber Indigenous cinema. With YANUNI now shortlisted, four films that previously screened at RNIFF between 2000 and 2005 have advanced to the Academy Awards shortlist, underscoring the festival’s long-standing role in identifying and elevating Native and Indigenous storytellers long before mainstream recognition followed. Founded in Los Angeles in 1995 by Joanelle Romero, RNIFF remains the world’s largest Native and Indigenous film festival and a key incubator for films that go on to shape the global awards conversation.

“Through the Red Nation International Film Festival, we elevate films that speak truth to power—stories that confront environmental injustice, challenge the politics of greed, and honor those on the front lines protecting our land, water, and ecosystems. These filmmakers remind us that humanity must come before profit, and that bold, collective, and nonpartisan action is essential to safeguarding our planet for future generations.

Climate change is not a distant threat – it is happening now. For Native and Indigenous Peoples, protecting the Earth is neither political nor performative; it is a sacred responsibility passed down through generations. Clean air, clean water, and a livable planet are fundamental human rights, not privileges. Indigenous knowledge has always shown us the way forward. The time to listen – and to act – is now.” – Joanelle Romero Founder & President, Red Nation Celebration Institute

RELATED STORY: ONLY ONE WATER

Produced annually by the Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), RNIFF showcases films by and about Native and Indigenous peoples across narrative features, documentaries, and shorts. The festival concludes with the RNCI Red Nation Awards, which has consistently served as the unofficial opening of Hollywood’s awards season, centering Native and Indigenous representation at the forefront.

RELATED STORY: 30TH RNIFF KICKS OFF AWARDS SEASON 

Over the past three decades, RNIFF has grown into the largest Native and Indigenous film festival in the world, and the first of its kind founded in Los Angeles, playing a pivotal role in reshaping how Native stories are told, produced, and recognized within the global film industry. “Film has the power to bring us all together,” – Romero said.

RELATED STORY:  HISTORIC MILESTONE

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Press Contact:
Liz Kramer
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818.665.5753

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RNCI Red Nation Awards, Founded by Joanelle Romero, the RNCI Red Nation Awards is the longest-standing Native and Indigenous awards show in the entertainment industry. Dedicated to amplifying authentic Indigenous storytelling, RNCI continues to recognize outstanding contributions to film, television, and media.

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LA’s Premier Native & Indigenous Film Festival
The Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) is the U.S. and world’s largest Native Indigenous film and media arts festival and the first of its kind in Los Angeles. Presented by RNCI annually in November. RNIFF has been empowering Native Indigenous storytellers since 1995.

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Red Nation Television Network® (RNTV) The World’s First Online Streaming Entertainment Company.

Red Nation Television Network is a media content provider at the forefront of the Entertainment Industry. Native Indigenous Women owned entertainment media company. CEO and founder Joanelle Romero is an Award-Winning Director/Producer/Actor, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences member, short-listed for an Academy Award and founder/president of Red Nation Celebration Institute the longest-running Native Women-Led Indigenous Media Arts and Cultural non-profit enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry. Based in Los Angeles with offices in Santa Fe New Mexico, serving Indian Country & Entertainment Industry. Representing over 575+ Native Nations, amplifying more than 5000+ Native and Indigenous content creators through its streaming company Red Nation Television Network, supporting 2700+ Native Indigenous filmmakers through its Red Nation International Film Festival, including films directed by women through its Native Women in Film & Television in All Media. In the last eight years as of 2025 RNCI has screened 274 films directed by women. 

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Red Nation Celebration Institute® (RNCI) the longest-standing Native women-led Indigenous media, arts, and cultural nonprofit enterprise in the history of the entertainment industry. It is the first Indigenous nonprofit to receive funding from the City of Los Angeles, serving over 575 Native Nations in the U.S. and a total of 1,200 globally. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with an additional office in Santa Fe, New Mexico, RNCI continues to drive meaningful representation and visibility for Native and Indigenous voices in media and the arts.