FILM FESTIVAL OPEN TO INDIGENOUS/NATIVE AMERICAN DIRECTORS ONLY!
First Nations Film and Video Festival Inc. hosts two annual festivals a year (May 1-10 & Nov. 1-10) dedicated to showcasing works by Native American Directors of all skill levels and providing a venue for their works that promote Native American first-voice and self-representation in film and media. Hosted by several venues across Chicago, Illinois and beyond, the FNFVF has become a major showcase for Native American films that sometimes screen nowhere else. Join us!
All FNFVF events are FREE and OPEN to the Public.
Also, your film MAY NOT be selected for the in-person programs but a part of our expanding online programs. We appreciate your understanding.
ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL:
The First Nations Film and Video Festival advocates for and celebrates the works of Native American film and video that break racial stereotypes, and promotes awareness of contemporary Native American issues and society, and to provide an appropriate venue for their works. All films screened are directed by Native American artists from the United States, Canada, Central and South America, and Mexico.
ABOUT FNFVF INC:
First Nations Film and Video Festival, Inc. (FNFVF Inc) is a grassroots, non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to showcasing works produced by Native American film and video makers and artists of all skill levels.
IMPORTANT NOTE: First Nations Film and Video Festival Inc. considers "Native American", "Indigenous American" and "American Indian" to include people of heritage or enrolled with the indigenous peoples/tribes of the United States, North, Central, and South America, including Canada and Mexico. To protect Native American first-voice and self-representation, the Director MUST BE of Native/Indigenous American heritage or an enrolled member of a tribe of U.S. Indians. U.S.-born Native Hawaiian also accepted. See Guidelines for Co-directors.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SUBMITTING:
> We will be scrutinizing the technical aspects of our entries. If the audio mix or image issues are making the film difficult to watch, we will turn down the submission with a note to fix the issue and to re-submit the film for the next festival.
> Understand that while FNFVF Inc will solicit films from distributors and pay fees for screening, submit your film with the understanding that you are allowing free screenings of your film as part of the film festival.
> Also, FNFVF Inc is working to minimize the usage of the term "Indian" when discussing the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Due to the terms origins, we feel that the term to be incorrect and offensive.
> DO NOT: list your name, nationality, a name of a non-existent tribe, or a Native American Organization in the "Tribal Affiliation" field below. TRIBAL AFFILIATION MUST BE FILLED OUT. We do research tribal names/recognized tribes and if we cannot find a tribal name, we consider the application "incomplete". Not providing an enrollment/tribal status on the application questionnaire will result in a INCOMPLETE application.
Please make sure your biography mentions your tribal affiliations to help with the process. Also, involvement or paid membership with a Native American Organization does not constitute "Tribal Enrollment".
> All FNFVF events are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but the hosting venue may ask patrons for a donation on their own behalf to cover event costs. FNFVF, Inc. makes no money on the screening of your films. We simply work to put your works on screen in front of an audience.
> Please note the information about the FNFVF Archive in "Rules and Terms" below and our use of your films for free educational screenings (with your permission).
We look forward to seeing your works and helping you find an audience. Thank you for your support of the First Nations Film and Video Festival.
FNFVF is a non-competitive film festival, dedicated to getting as many films on as many screens in front of as many patrons as possible. You can submit up to three short films or two feature films for each festival.
FNFVF is a festival showcasing films DIRECTED by Indigenous/Native American filmmakers. Producers can submit on a filmmakers behalf. Any film found NOT directed by an Indigenous/Native American filmmaker will be labeled INCOMPLETE.
Understand that while FNFVF Inc will solicit films from distributors and pay fees for screening, submit your film with the understanding that you are allowing free screenings of your film as part of the film festival.