A scene from the Academy Award nominated Two Cars One Night.

The Second Annual Indigenous Film & Arts Festival presents four days of feature, short, and documentary films by and about indigenous peoples. In keeping with this year's theme, Identity: Honoring Our People, Finding Our Path, the films look at the historical and contemporary political, religious, and social contexts in which traditional notions of race, gender, and culture continue to be cast and recast. Films will be shown at the Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver. (Advance tickets available at Starz FilmCenter Box Office.)

The Festival offers something for everyone.

• For film buffs, it's 16 interesting movies, from 3-minute shorts to full length feature films.
• For indigenous and educational communities, it's a chance to see authentic images, not Hollywood stereotypes.
• For young people, these films bring a positive look and insight into their own cultures, and an opportunity to see and learn about others.
• A smart field trip, professors are directing their students to get an authentic view of other cultures.
• Anthropologists, museum-goers, students of life and ethnic traditions and certainly, good old-fashioned movie lovers won't want to miss one minute!

The international film lineup includes works by American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Canadian First Nation, and Alaska Native filmmakers, with a focus on works by Maori writers, producers, directors and actors from New Zealand. Newen, a rap video featuring and directed by a Mapuche artist from Chile, marks the Festival's first entry from South America .

These films address complex identity issues and will have cross-cutting appeal to many of Denver 's ethnic communities. One film that promises to be of particular interest to the African-American community is Black Indians: An American Story , which explores racial identity among individuals of mixed Native American and African American ancestry. Denver 's Polynesian and GLBT communities will be interested in Ke Kulana He Mahu: Remembering a Sense of Place, a documentary focusing on the unique issues facing Hawaii 's multi-faceted gay community and the acceptance of mahu (transgendered people) in traditional Native Hawaiian society.

The Festival provides a venue for veteran filmmakers to those just learning the craft. On Saturday night October 8th, acclaimed Maori filmmaker Don C. Selwyn, known affectionately in New Zealand as the “Godfather of Maori film,” will be making a special appearance to introduce his film The Maori Merchant of Venice. On Sunday, October 9th, audiences will get a preview from the younger generation when student filmmakers from the Swinomish Indian Tribe introduce the world premiere of their short Nineteen .

“Film delivers a powerful message and allows you to see through the filmmaker's eyes. It's important to provide a venue for indigenous people to tell their stories,” explains Festival director Jeanne Rubin. Short of traveling to other Native American or international film fests, most folks will not have another opportunity to see these films, presented by the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management. (See Festival program ).

There will be plenty of opportunity to interact with filmmakers. Movie-goers will get the story behind the movie with Q&A after the film screenings. An opening night "Meet the Filmmakers" reception, hosted by Festival sponsor Coors Brewing Company, provides one-on-one opportunities in a relaxed setting. Filmmakers will mingle with the audience at post-screening Opening and Closing Night Parties. The Closing Night Party, hosted by the Canadian Consulate in Denver, features a sponsor recognition ceremony.

“We are grateful for the support from local, national and international sponsors and community partners that has enabled the Festival to grow. The support from Indian tribes and indigenous organizations is a welcome indication that the philosophy and approach of the Festival is resonating within indigenous communities.”

Much More than Film: Arts, Dance, Education, Roundtable.

The Festival offers much more than film. Between movies, enjoy special entertainment by visiting artists and dancers. On Saturday, October 8th collectors will want to spend time at the Native American Fine Arts Exhibition and Exclusive Sale of original paintings, sculpture and traditional and contemporary pueblo pottery.

”One of the most important parts of the Film Festival – and one that not many people know about – is the work we do with students,” says Rubin. The Festival offers a school program attended by students from the Denver and Jeffco Indian Education programs and Escuela Tlatelolco. A highlight of this year's school program is the participation of five student filmmakers from the Swinomish Tribe who will screen some of their short films made through the Native Lens Program of 911 Media Center in Seattle, and provide their peers an interactive Q&A opportunity. A special youth workshop is being presented for the National Indian Education Association which has its Annual Conference in Denver during the Film Festival. On Friday, October 7th, an on-campus screening with Q&A at the University of Denver will make the program accessible to students and professors. Teaching won't stop when the Festival ends. School programs and workshops extend through the school year, effectively stretching benefits beyond the Festival. What's next? “We are planning a Film Camp for aspiring young filmmakers,” says Rubin.

The Festival closes on October 10th with a roundtable on Imagery and Identity: Imagining the Future(s) of Indigenous Peoples . Open to the public, the Roundtable provides a rare opportunity to listen to twenty filmmakers, artists, educators, cultural experts, attorneys and other invited guests engage in a thought-provoking discussion around the Festival theme of identity.

Click here to purchase Festival tickets on-line. The link takes you to the Blacktie events calendar for October.  Find the screening you are interested in by day, and click on the "International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management 2005 Indigenous Film & Arts Festival" link to purchase tickets online.