NATIVE SOVEREIGNTY IN HOLLYWOOD AND BEYOND

Transforming how the entertainment industry engages with and supports Native storytellers was a core pillar of IllumiNative’s work. Building on the success of the Sundance Indigenous Program, IllumiNative produced an official Indigenous House at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, 2023, and 2024. This curated, culturally immersive event took place during the festival’s opening weekend each year.

Credit: Josué Rivas (Mexica and Otomi) / INDÍGENA

Tekpatl (P’urhepecha)

Credit: Josué Rivas (Mexica and Otomi)

CELEBRATING NATIVE CREATIVES

Through panel discussions, networking opportunities, and multicultural gatherings, we celebrated the breakthrough achievements of Native creatives and built a movement of narrative sovereignty in Hollywood and beyond.

These events also provided opportunities for us to share groundbreaking reports and research to uplift the importance of accurate and authentic representation of Native peoples, including “The Time is Now: A Guide for Industry Professionals” and the Nielsen Screen on Screen case studies on the economic impact of Native-led and Native-created content.

Tekpatl (P’urhepecha)

INDIGENOUS LIST

In partnership with The Black List and the Sundance Film Institute’s Indigenous Program, IllumiNative launched the Indigenous List to showcase the talent of Native film and TV screenwriters and create pathways within the industry. Some of the Indigenous List alumni successes include:

  • Erica Tremblay and Miciana Alise’s Fancy Dance went on to premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and was distributed by Apple.
  • Joey Clift’s Bunker Boss and its placement on the inaugural Indigenous List led directly to meetings and writing opportunities on Nickelodeon and PBS projects.
  • Alika Maikau’s Indigenous List script Moloka’i Bound was selected to receive a $500,000 production grant from Google and Array to further foster its path towards the big screen.
  • Kathryn Machi’s script, Firebird, was optioned by Endeavor Content as a result of her placement on the Indigenous List

Credit: Josué Rivas (Mexica and Otomi) / INDÍGENA