The Root Experience is a 2-night festival featuring BIPOC talent from various cultures. The festival celebrates regional filmmakers, artists, culture bearers, musicians, and the stories they weave through their art. The goal is to uplift their narratives of culture, family, beauty, and resilience to create a network that empowers living stories. Now is the time for healing and rejuvenation. Now is the time for celebration. Now is the time for impact.

Our mission and sole purpose of The Root Experience is to amplify BIPOC voices in music and the arts. We aim to show The City of Spokane the common threads of knowledge, creativity, family, storytelling, and other themes that connect various cultures across the world. Continuous BIPOC representation in our city is beyond important, it is a necessity. We hope to inspire BIPOC youth to embrace their creativity and passions as well as follow their hearts, and not society’s ideals of who they should be.

We are celebrating culture. We are celebrating community. We are celebrating story.

Awards & Prizes

Each film that receives an official selection will receive a $300 honorarium.
No awards or prizes for category winners at this time.

Rules & Terms

#1. All filmmakers and film origins must come from The Pacific Northwest. The Root Experience defines The Pacific Northwest as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia (CAN), and Alberta (CAN).

#2. All filmmakers must identify as BIPOC. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Pronounced “bye-pock,” this is a term intended to center the experiences of Black and Indigenous groups that demonstrate solidarity between communities of color.

The term “BIPOC” is more descriptive than people of color or POC. It acknowledges that people of color face varying types of discrimination and prejudice. Additionally, it emphasizes that systemic racism continues to oppress, invalidate, and deeply affect the lives of Black and Indigenous people in ways other people of color may not necessarily experience. Lastly and significantly, Black and Indigenous individuals and communities still bear the impact of slavery and genocide.

#3. Films must be in DCP or BluRay Format ONLY.

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Misty Shipman

    This festival was well-organized, joyful, inspiring, enlightening, and brought the community together. The festival organizers were prompt and efficient, and the venues and hospitality were top-of-the-line, accessible, and high-quality. I recommend this festival highly.

    September 2023
    Helpful