Contemporary Fine Art photographer and Chemehuevi citizen Cara Romero's work captures Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural memory, collective history, and lived experiences from a Native American female perspective. "Following the Light" includes behind-the-scenes footage of Cara's shoots, a dive into the California Indigenous history that informs her work, and interviews with Cara and her friends, family, and collaborators. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/2b89f8349013011b90e3f41f1f17a5fc.png" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="150">Kaela Waldstein is a multi-award winning videographer that specializes in the production of short documentaries with a special emphasis on Arts and Culture. Her films are of high production value with emotional resonance, and a strong human element. She sees her role as one of service, helping to distill and elevate the voices of artists and do justice to their craft. She leads all aspects of production, including concept development, cinematography, on-site sound, editing, color grading, and motion graphics; however, she sees each of her films as a collaboration with those she is filming.

Cara Romero: Following the Light

An intimate look at the work of Native American contemporary fine art photographer Cara Romero.

Using images and art from Wiyot artist Rick Bartow as its basis, this experimental animated stop-motion short explores one individual as they go about reclaiming their identity and culture as an Indigenous person, one that was long asleep waiting for the right moment to wake itself back up within themselves. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/4be7461c2bfe0b54f663ef4cd67281cc.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="197">Michelle Hernandez (she/her) is a Wiyot and Latina filmmaker who grew up on the Table Bluff Reservation, where she found her love of filmmaking. Much of her work focuses on the importance of culture, traditions, and identity, as well as dealing with Indigenous subjects. Chantal Jung (she/they) is a Nunatsiavummiuk and self-taught collage artist, writer, filmmaker, and creator originally from Happy-Valley Goose-Bay, NL, Canada (Nunatsiavut). She has produced animated work for musician Black Belt Eagle Scout, and her writing and artwork has been featured in Inuit Art Quarterly and on the Inuit Art Foundation’s website.

Things You Know But Cannot Explain

An experimental stop-motion animation short based on the artwork of Wiyot artist Rick Bartow.

Filmmaker Sergio Rapu follows Anishinaabe artist Jonathan Thunder as he dives deep into the inspirations behind his surrealist paintings and animations. From the killing of an iconic American hero to critical perspectives of how indigenous people were portrayed in early children’s cartoons, Thunder’s art prompts viewers to take a critical look at our shared mythologies. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/2e469f5400b8d78584488deacec5bde5.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="141">Sergio is a documentary filmmaker native to Rapa Nui (Easter Island). His award-winning directorial debut, EATING UP EASTER, was screened around the world and broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens in 2020. In 2021 he produced and edited BRING HER HOME, the latest feature by director Leya Hale (Dakota/Dine) which follows three Indigenous women as they work to vindicate and honor their missing and murdered relatives who are victims in the growing epidemic of MMIW. Sergio also developed and produced THAT&nbsp;GOT&nbsp;WEIRD, an animated digital series about racism and microaggressions.

Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology

Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder explores the mythic inspirations of his surrealist work.

Jamie Diaz is a 65 year-old Mexican-American trans woman and artist incarcerated in Texas. In 2013 Gabriel Joffe who is trans and non-binary was volunteering for an organization supporting LGBTQ+ people in prison, when they happened upon an illustrated letter from Jamie. Hundreds of letters and phone calls later, a deep friendship formed that profoundly changed both of their lives. Love, Jamie is a film about pride, chosen family, and the transcendent power of art. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/7370fec3a7102de0818c167ff601a46d.jpg" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="204">Karla is an Emmy-nominated producer and has been working on news documentaries for over 15 years as a producer, shooter and correspondent for several PBS news programs. Her award-winning work was described in the Columbia Journalism Review as “compelling, informative and compassionate.” Her directorial debut, the feature documentary The Place That Makes Us screened at numerous film festivals, and premiered nationally on America ReFramed and PBS platforms. Karla grew up in Texas and is of Filipino and South Asian descent.

Love, Jamie

The story of Jamie Diaz, a transgender artist incarcerated in Texas, and the enduring friendship that brought her art of liberation and pride to the outside world.

An experimental short film about a woman who encounters a strange man in a parking lot and then receives a mysterious phone call. Director's Bio:<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/2d137ae800f86557e3a58cdca3cee0c6.png" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 1em 1em;" width="164">Taylor Morden* is an independent film maker best known for the hit Netflix documentary The Last Blockbuster. He's done a bunch of other stuff too, but that's the one you've heard of. Bios are fun. *Not actually the director

TH3 P4YPH0N3

An experimental short film about a woman who receives a mysterious phone call.

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Join us for the 20th Annual BendFilm Festival. Screening virtually October 16-22, 2023

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