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Keepers of the Way

In this intimate portrait told through the eyes of Lenape tribal leaders in Pennsylvania, a challenging spiritual journey unfolds to heal past wounds and keep a culture alive. Over the course of a weekend, Lenape tribe members perform healing ceremonies for the land affected by the Walking Purchase—a notorious event that changed the course of the tribe's future—and reveal the dark underbelly left out of history books. The struggles, joy, pain, and resilient spirit of the Lenape all bubble to the surface as the tribe members share stories passed down through the generations and reveal their visions for the future of life on Earth. The Lenape are here to tell the world that not only are they still here—they never left.

  • Evan Cohen
    Director
  • Kevin Berman
    Executive Producers
  • Scott Stowe
    Executive Producers
  • Jess Thoubboron
    Lead Producer
  • Tyler Wallach
    Producer
  • Elijah Lee Reeder
    Producer
  • Ken Macaulay
    Key Cast
  • Chuck Gentlemoon DeMund
    Key Cast
  • Blake Horn
    Cinematography
  • David Dominguez
    Cinematography
  • Lucas Ruderman
    Assistant Camera
  • Pat O’Leary
    Location Sound
  • Lorenzo Conti
    Location Sound
  • Evan Cohen
    Editor
  • Daniel Kerrigan
    Original Score
  • Dalton Harts
    Sound Mixing and Design
  • Gavin Rosenberg
    Color Grading
  • Chris Kim
    Titles
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Expository, Ethnographic
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 28, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • American Documentary and Animation Film Festival
    Palm Springs
    United States
    April 8, 2022
    World Premiere
  • St. Louis International Film Festival
    St. Louis
    United States
    November 7, 2022
    Midwest Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Rome International Film Festival
    Rome, GA
    United States
    November 11, 2022
    Georgia Premiere
    Jury Award: Best Storytelling in Short Documentary
  • Cleveland International Film Festival
    Cleveland, Ohio
    United States
    March 23, 2023
    Ohio Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Thin Line Fest
    Denton, Texas
    United States
    April 29, 2023
    Texas Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival
    Jim Thorpe
    United States
    April 23, 2023
    Pennsylvania Premiere
    The Spirit of Jim Thorpe Award
  • NorthwestFest International Documentary Festival
    Edmonton
    Canada
    May 4, 2023
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tacoma Film Festival
    Tacoma, Washington
    United States
    October 7, 2023
    Northwest Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
    Newburyport, MA
    United States
    September 16, 2023
    Massachusetts Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Evan Cohen

Evan is a seasoned director and filmmaker, predominantly focused on purpose-driven documentary and commercial work. After graduating from The School of Visual Arts, he has directed work for clients such as Amnesty International, L’Oréal, Jeep, Vogue, Sony Music and more. Evan currently works as a director and editor with a focus on purpose driven documentary content. He is extraordinarily passionate about filmmaking and enjoys helping audiences connect to great perspectives that help see the big picture. His short documentary about the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, “Keepers of the Way,” has won awards and screened at several Oscar-qualifying film festivals across the country.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Keepers of the Way is a deeply personal project to me and was inspired by my direct connections and work done with Indigenous people throughout my life. Prior to this documentary, I had worked with several different Indigenous groups from South America and North America, learning about their healing practices and spiritual rituals. I was so inspired that I wanted to find a way to give back through filmmaking. This led me to learn even more about the importance of Indigenous cultures, their struggles for preservation, and the roles they play in maintaining and living in harmony with the Earth. Before I set out to make this piece, it was extremely important that I didn't misrepresent or exploit the Pennsylvania Lenape tribe. Our team closely worked with the tribe's members from concept through post-production phases, and the tribal council signed off on the final edit of this piece. Our team continues to build and deepen our relationships with the Lenape, and we look forward to sharing their vision with the world.