SULPHUR, Okla. - The Chickasaw Nation, in collaboration with the Sundance Institute and partners, will present "Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue."
This special film event, featuring the work of independent filmmakers, is set for Sept. 6-8 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur.
Film Forward is a touring film program that offers screenings, workshops, and discussions designed to foster dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
The program is an initiative of the Sundance Institute and The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Seven films and filmmakers from the U.S., U.K., and Australia will be featured at the Cultural Center's Anoli' Theater.
"It is vitally important that filmmakers with a unique cultural perspective have the training, tools and experience necessary to bring their history, culture and heritage to the screen in a meaningful way," said Gov. Anoatubby. "It is difficult to overestimate the value of Film Forward to film makers striving to remain true to their own culture while relaying stories of universal significance. We are very pleased to be part of this important event."
"The Film Forward project has chosen the Chickasaw Cultural Center to showcase its selection of 2012 films," she said. "As one of only three locations in the United States to host Film Forward, this is an incredible honor for the Chickasaw Nation and the Cultural Center."
Filmmakers Rachel Perkins and Asif Kapadia will be in attendance to participate in question and answer sessions and moderated discussions after their films screen.
Activities begin at 10 a.m., Sept. 6 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center with the Sundance Institute's Native Filmmakers Summit.
Led by Bird Runningwater (Cheyenne/Mescalero Apache), director of the Sundance Institute Native American and Indigenous Programs and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and co-hosted by the Chickasaw Nation and the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, the Summit will include roundtable discussions, short film presentations and presentations from "Runningwater, filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Seminole, and Creek Nations), Chad Burris (Chickasaw Nation) and Australian filmmaker Rachel Perkins (Arrernte/Kalkadoon Nations).
Indigenous film "Bran Nue Dae" will be presented at 11 a.m. Director Rachel Perkins will be on-hand following the screening to take questions.
"Senna" will be screened at 2 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session with director Asif Kapadia.
"Buck" will show at 4 p.m., followed by "On the Ice" at 6 p.m., and "Beginners" at 8 p.m.
A panel of independent filmmakers discussing perspectives on independent filmmaking will open Saturday's events at 10 a.m.
"Senna" will be screened at 11 a.m.; "Bran Nue Dae" will be presented at 2 p.m. Both will be followed by time with the film's directors.
"Somewhere Between" will be presented at 4 p.m., and "Another Earth" at 6 p.m.
All Film Forward films will be shown free of charge. Film schedule is subject to change.
Sundance Institute's Managing Director, Jill Miller and Film Forward Manager Jacqueline Carlson will also be in attendance.
"Film connects us all through a shared language of storytelling," said Keri Putnam, executive director, Sundance Institute. "Sundance Institute is proud to offer and opportunity for filmmakers and audiences to share in a rich exchange of ideas through our presentation of this Film Forward initiative in collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation and the Chickasaw Cultural Center."
For information about the event, contact Brian Cooke at (580) 622-7138.
For a complete schedule of Film Forward screenings visit www.sundance.org/filmforward/destination/oklahoma-2012/
Beginners / USA (Director: Mike Mills).
Bran Nue Dae / Australia (Director: Rachel Perkins).
Buck / USA (Director: Cindy Meehl).
On the Ice / USA (Director: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean).
Senna / UK (Director: Asif Kapadia).
Somewhere Between / USA (Director: Linda Goldstein Knowlton).
About the Sundance Institute
Founded by actor and director Robert Redford in 1981. Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences.
The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences.
Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America.
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Film Forward is an initiative of Sundance Institute and The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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