Native Lens is a digital series screening on NativeLens.org, Rocky Mountain PBS’ YouTube, and our social media platforms. Native Lens also holds in-person screenings that are curated from submissions. The event date on this page represents our next in-person showcase at the Durango Arts Center in partnership with Durango Independent Film Festival.

All selected films will be included in our digital showcase, and we will extend additional individual invites for a limited number of films to be featured in our in-person screenings.
Now in its fourth year, Native Lens is a collaborative film and video project headquartered on Ute land in Southern Colorado and hosted by KSUT Tribal Radio and Rocky Mountain PBS. The project provides training initiatives and showcases films produced by Indigenous peoples in North America. By sharing firsthand Native perspectives, Native Lens works to amplify Indigenous voices through storytelling.

Native Lens welcomes submissions of short films, video journalism, spoken word and poetry videos, and video art made by Indigenous creators from North America.
We also can accommodate editing assistance, if you have documentary-style footage you have filmed.

As Native Lens serves as a digital showcase for short Indigenous-made films, we encourage you to consider submitting to us after you have completed your film festival run, if this applies to your exhibition plan for your work.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us!

Rules & Terms

Native Lens platforms Indigenous-made stories, and filmmakers must identify as Native and/or Indigenous based in North America. Please specify your tribal affiliation and/or cultural heritage with your submission.

Length: Submissions must be under 30 minutes

AI: Please disclose any use of generative AI.

Editing: If you have editing capabilities, please submit an edited piece. If you are not able to edit your story, it is not a problem! You can submit unedited footage and Native Lens can work with you to edit your story.

We typically showcase selected films on Native Lens year round. If there is a cultural stipulation that calls for a film or story to not be shared during certain times of the year, please tell us.

In exchange for sharing your film, we offer a small stipend of $150 on a Visa gift card.

By default, films are chosen to be included on Native Lens’ digital platforms in perpetuity (for the life of the Native Lens project). If you need to stipulate alternate exhibition time frames (such as 1 year, 3 years or 5 years), please let us know - we are happy to work with you and can be flexible.

If the film has been commissioned by or is owned by a Tribal Nation, please include or be prepared to provide details and/or documentation that specifies the ownership and acknowledges the submitter’s right to include the film in Native Lens.

Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully!

Terms & Conditions
Agreement between Rocky Mountain Public Media/KSUT Tribal Radio and their associates (“RMPM/KSUT”) and you.
Agreement Term: From submission date through Perpetuity
Markets: All Worldwide Media
RMPM/KSUT has an initiative currently called “Native Lens (“The Project”) – with the “Intended Uses” of showcasing Native/Indigenous stories through all of our collective platforms .

RMPM/KSUT is requesting these stories to be used individually, in compilations, and for all forms of promotion.
And you, the Owner, are submitting a media presentation (the “Film”) for this Project..
You, the Owner, by submitting your Film, grant to RMPM/KSUT the non-exclusive right to exhibit and share (“Distribute”) the Film based on the terms and conditions below. RMPM/KSUT and Owner agree to the following:
1. Owner represents that Owner is the creator and copyright holder of the Film.
2. Owner represents that no one else’s rights will be violated by any use of the Film.
3. You, the Owner, shall at all times retain copyright ownership in the Film.
4. Owner agrees to permit RMPM/KSUT the unlimited non-exclusive right to Distribute the Film through internet, and other platforms as agreed upon (in-person screenings, broadcast).
5. Owner gives to RMPM/KSUT the worldwide right to advertise and promote the Film.
6. Owner gives RMPM/KSUT permission to use the names and images of the people who appear in the Film for promotion and social engagement related to The Project.
7. If anyone other than the Owner appears in the film, the Owner may be asked to have any other individual person(s) sign a RMPM/KSUT release form that will be provided upon request.
8. Owner pledges that if any music is included in the Film, although none is required, this music is original music or licensed music and that RMPM/KSUT may use this music in connection with any use of the Film.
9. Owner agrees that RMPM/KSUT may add graphics to the film, such as opening animation and closing credits. All edits will be discussed with and approved by Owner.
10. Owner may be asked to do interviews/press on behalf of The Project, which would be appreciated but not mandatory.
11. If you, the Owner grant distribution rights to the Film that may conflict with this Agreement to any other parties, you must notify RMPM/KSUT and these other parties about this Agreement.
12. The term of this contract is in perpetuity, unless another duration is otherwise agreed upon.
12. Owner gives RMPM/KSUT the right to use the Film in compilations with other films for The Project. Any additional usage or exhibition of the Film beyond the inclusion in the Native Lens digital showcase will be discussed and agreed upon by Owner in subsequent written correspondence.
13. Owner agrees that Owner has right and authority to enter into this Agreement – and that, to the best of your knowledge, nothing in the Film violates the rights of any person, tribe or entity.
14. Owner agrees that RMPM/KSUT is not obligated to Distribute or advertise the Film.
15. Owner agrees that you are 18 years of age in order to sign this Agreement. If Owner is under 18 years of age, Owner’s parent or guardian must sign this Agreement on your behalf.
16. This Agreement falls under the laws of the State of Colorado, and any disputes must be handled exclusively in the state or federal courts located in or near Denver, ColoradoYou, the Owner, agree that by submitting your Film to RMPM/KSUT, you have read and agree to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.