PHOTO PROVIDED A scene from Haudenosaunee Canoe Story, by Rosann Whitebean. For the majority of film history, stories about Indigenous people have been presented by non-Indigenous writers, directors, and too often, actors as well. This fact has done a lot of damage in terms of how Indigenous people are seen, and the often subtle apologist tones with which American history is portrayed. That’s begun to slowly change. And this month, Rochester’s newest film festival will serve not only as a showcase of regional Indigenous films, but an initiative to promote filmmaking specifically among Haudenosaunee women. “There is a powerful difference between telling our own stories or having someone tell them for us, says Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida), founder and editor-in-chief of
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Rochester annually hosts dozens of film festivals, and it’s about to get one more. Indigenous filmmakers, actors, and producers from the region will be spotlighted April 19-25 in the inaugural Haudenosaunee Filmmakers Festival, a new collaboration between Friends of Ganondagan and Rematriation Magazine. Organizers are accepting film submissions through Sunday, Feb. 21.
The pandemic has precluded in-person events this year, so the week of screenings, workshops, and panel discussions will take place virtually. In future years the festival will be hosted at the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan.
The festival grew from a couple of existing initiatives, said Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida), who is founder and editor-in-chief of Rematriation Magazine, a publication devoted to creating space for and uplifting Indigenous women’s voices.