16th Native Film Fest kicks off with protest documentary on DAPL

Viewers got a front row view of Native American culture at the 16th annual Native Film Festival in Palm Springs at the Camelot Theater.

“We’re going to go to all of them,” said Janette Stebbins of Cathedral City.

The three-day festival kicked off with the documentary, “RISE”. The film shows the journey behind the movement of tribal youth to stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“It was powerful, really powerful. How much they were able to get started and how much other people joined the fight joined the cause,” said Moraino Patencio of Rancho Mirage.

Organizers said they wanted to showcase film selections that focused on Native American empowerment.

“We thought it was really important to kick off this year’s film festival with something so timely, that has energized native people from around the globe and really important to native people,” said Joely Proudfit with The Native Networkers.

Organizers said the 12 selection is their way to recognize filmmaker’s talents in the community that can get overlooked.

“I watch the audience and this audience really asked questions; they really want to know, they really care which is important and as a filmmaker that’s really what you want,” said Chris Eyre with The Native Networkers.

A full list of showings can be found here.