American Indian film fest aims to combat lies


HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - American Indian actor-singer-activist Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman is helping to organize a Native American film festival, which he said would counter falsehoods perpetuated by the United States government over the years.

"Much of what is still taught today in classrooms, from kindergarten storybooks to university curriculum, contains a great amount of untruth, deception and prejudice," said Westerman, who achieved prominence in "Dances With Wolves."

"For generations we have been spoon fed a type of 'feel good' history that in reality has us and our children living a lie."

"The Hoop of Life," the first annual Los Angeles American Indian Film, Television and New Media Festival, will kick off next year. Westerman's Red Crow Creations is organizing the event with the Eyapaha Institute and the UCLA American Indian Studies Center.

The festival will be officially announced on May 3 at a gala benefit dinner hosted by Peter Coyote and Richard Masur, at the Covel Commons at Sunset Village, UCLA. The event is designed to raise completion funds for Westerman's documentary series "Exterminate Them! America's War on Indian Nations," as well as to acknowledge those Indian Tribal Nations that have contributed financial support.

The next day, free screenings of American Indian-themed film, television and new media will be held at the James Bridges Theater at UCLA's Melnitz Hall. Panel discussions will explore the festival's vision and mission statement and begin to establish guidelines and submission policies.

Reuters/Variety

01:19 04-27-01
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