Private Project

The Arrangement

A Cinematic Milestone: The Arrangement

Experience a historic first for Navajo cinema. Set against the sweeping vistas of the high desert, The Arrangement is the first romantic comedy ever produced primarily in Diné Bizaad, where old traditions meets modern romance. This landmark film brings a refreshing, lighthearted look into the old Navajo cultural practice of arranged marriage. While the story honors the heritage and language of the Navajo people, its core is a universal journey of humor, mishaps, and the discovery of an unexpected connection.

  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Director
    Mile Post 398
  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Writer
  • Shonie De La Rosa
    Producer
  • Stevevost Boshi Jim
    Key Cast
    "Harold Begay"
  • Jocelyn Billy Upshaw
    Key Cast
    "Rita"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 10, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Navajo
  • Shooting Format:
    4k Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Latino & Native American Film Festival
    New Haven, CT
    United States
    March 21, 2025
    Best Feature Film
  • Santa Fe Film Festival
    Santa Fe, NM
    United States
    February 21, 2025
    Best Native Cinema
  • Gallup Film Festival
    Gallup, NM
    United States
    May 3, 2025
    Best Language Preservation & Audience Choice
  • Stockholm City Film Festival
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Sweden
    January 26, 2025
    Semi-Finalist
  • Europa Film Festival
    Barcelona, Spain
    Spain
    March 31, 2025
    Finalist
  • Cinematic European Film Festival
    Craiova
    Romania
    February 28, 2025
    Official Selection
  • London Visionary Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 30, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Nunavut International Film Festival
    Aulajut
    Canada
    April 23, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Ethereal Cinematic Triangle
    Prague
    March 30, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Fort Smith International Film Festival
    Fort Smith, Arkansas
    United States
    August 7, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival - Film Festival
    Santa Fe, NM
    United States
    August 15, 2025
    Official Selection
  • NatiVisions Film Festival
    Parker, Arizona
    United States
    September 24, 2025
    Official Selection
  • RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival & Awards - Native Cinema
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    November 1, 2025
    Official Selection
  • 2nd Annual Navajo Nation Film Festival
    Window Rock, Arizona
    United States
    September 4, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Four Corners Film Festival
    Farmington, New Mexico
    United States
    September 13, 2025
    Official Selection
  • RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival
    Woodland Hills, California
    United States
    November 1, 2025
    Official Selection
  • International Multicultural Film Festival
    Perth
    Australia
    November 21, 2025
    Official Selection
  • AlterNative Film Festival
    Wichita, Kansas
    United States
    November 8, 2025
    Official Selection
  • ANGAELICA Film Festival
    Pasadena, California
    United States
    December 11, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Highbulb Cultural Center Film Festival
    Tulalip Bay, Washington
    United States
    November 8, 2025
    Official Selection
  • By The River Film Festival
    Veles
    North Macedonia
    November 27, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Oki Corral Film Festival
    Calgary, Alberta
    Canada
    February 13, 2026
    Special Invite Screening
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Sheephead Films
    Distributor
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Shonie De La Rosa

Shonie De La Rosa made his very first film with his childhood best friend on Super 8 film when he was just 10 years old back in 1977. It was a sci-fi about an astronaut landing on a planet and having a laser gun fight with an alien. The astronaut prevailed over the alien and left the planet in his rocket. The End.

Shonie caught the film making bug very early in his life. 47 years later, Shonie continues to create through his production company Sheephead Films. Shonie as well as his wife Andee have created many types of productions over the years from music videos, documentaries, short & feature films. Many of these films, as well as many of the actors & individuals involved in these productions have gone on to win many awards & high recognition over the past two decades.

Two of their documentaries in particular have helped shape and change Navajo Nation laws. For example, their documentary “G” Methamphetamine on the Navajo Nation helped get methamphetamine put on the list of illegal substances on the Navajo Nation. Their other documentary “Pirates of the Navajo Nation” helped to educate the Navajo Nation Council on the issues of DVD/CD piracy on the Navajo Nation. This in turn helped to enact the Unauthorized Recording Act of the Navajo Nation.

Their flagship film “Mile Post 398” released in 2007 was a major milestone in Navajo cinema. Regarded by many as the “Most Authentic Navajo Movie” ever made, it focused on the many disparities and struggles that many Navajo people have had to face in their lives for many generations, and continue to do so to this day. Mile Post 398 was also the very first full feature film ever produced, that was written, directed, and starred an all Navajo cast & crew. The film was also shot entirely on the Navajo Nation. Mile Post 398 as well as its cast went on to win multiple awards from around the world. It has become an extremely popular film not only with the Navajo people but with many indigenous people around the world. The film is also heavily utilized within many indigenous recovery programs and institutions.

Shonie once again has raised the bar for himself with the release of his newest feature film The Arrangement. Written by Shonie, this film was also entirely filmed on the Navajo Nation and features an all Navajo cast & crew. What makes this film so unique is that, it happens to be the very first feature film ever produced primarily (80%) in the Diné (Navajo) language.

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Director Statement

Sheephead Films is Navajo owned and is based in Kayenta, AZ on the Navajo Nation. With a focus on Navajo and everything Navajo, Sheephead Films will continue to create the most authentic and genuine Navajo content possible.