All-Indigenous AlterNative Film Festival returns for 4th year in Wichita

Wichita needed an all-Indigenous film festival.

An independent filmmaker myself, and after years of travelling to film festivals around the world, I thought an all-indigenous film festival seemed like a no-brainer for Wichita, so I created the AlterNative Film Festival. It’s hard to believe that this will be our fourth year, held Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca.

All events and screenings are free and open to the public. As the director and founder of the film festival, my goal is to showcase powerful new works from Indigenous filmmakers who continue to inspire, challenge, and redefine cinema in their own ways.

Here is a look at what we’re offering this year, and why I chose them:

OPENING NIGHT – FRI, NOV. 7.

Presented by The Cotillion

Opening Reception with AJ Harvey – 6 p.m.

Kick off the festival with live music from AJ Harvey (Ponca/Pawnee), who captured hearts on NBC’s “The Voice” and appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” along with free bites and limited beer and wine in the Kiva space. In full disclosure, AJ is my nephew, and it’s been exciting watching his career unfold.

“Sugarcane” – 7 p.m. Directed by Emily Kassie & Julian Brave NoiseCat

A gripping Oscar-nominated documentary investigating the abuse and disappearance of children at a Canadian residential school — sparking a community’s reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve. A brilliant breakthrough, this marked the first time that a North American Indigenous filmmaker (Julian Brave NoiseCat) has been nominated for an Oscar. (2024, 107 min.)

SATURDAY – NOV. 8

Shorts Program – 3 p.m.

I’m proud of everything in this year’s line-up, but most certainly proud of this eclectic collection:

• “Anonymous” – Chaos erupts at an AA meeting when a new member’s shocking confession sends everyone reeling. (10 min.)
• “Incident at Juniper Ridge” – Two young Navajo shepherds discover a wounded stranger in this tense drama told in the Navajo language with English subtitles. (25 min.)
• “People of the Heartland” – A look at Wichita’s Native community, first screened to global influencers at the TBEX Summit. (10 min.)
• “Abby Scott: The Rezball Legacy” – An intimate portrait of a coach guiding her young athletes with heart and spirit. (6 min.)

“The Dead Can’t Dance” – 4:15 p.m. Written & Directed by Rodrick Pocowatchit

Three Comanche men find themselves immune to a zombie virus in this horror-comedy cult classic. Celebrate its 15th anniversary with a Q&A featuring me and the cast, who haven’t changed at all in 15 years. Ha! (2010, 97 min.)

Meet the Directors Cocktail Hour – 6:15 p.m. Presented by Northstar Comfort Services, Inc.

Mingle with myself and guest director Shonie De La Rosa over free bites and drinks in the museum’s Kiva space.

“The Arrangement” – 7:15 p.m. Directed by Shonie De La Rosa

Set on the Navajo Nation and told mostly in Diné (Navajo), a young man wrestles with cultural expectations and an arranged marriage, exploring identity, love and tradition. Followed by a Q&A with De La Rosa. We’ve been friends for years, and it’s an honor to showcase his film, which has played at more than 20 film festivals. (2024, 70 min.)

SUNDAY – NOV. 9

“Angela’s Shadow” – 2:30 p.m. Written & Directed by Jules Koostachin

In 1930s Canada, a Cree woman haunted by her twin sister’s spirit must face the dark legacy of residential schools and reclaim her roots. I’m proud to support a Native woman director – this is jolting yet poignant, featuring robust performances. (2024, 93 min.)

Native Heroes Showcase – 4:20 p.m.

• “Second Sunrise” – A constable struggles to reconnect with his estranged daughter amid the challenges of eviction work. A slow-burn powerful, very human and inspiring experience. (17 min.)
• “Sitting Bull, Ep. 1” – A special screening of the powerful pilot episode exploring the life and legacy of the great Lakota leader, starring my friend Michael Spears. Graciously presented with no charge by A+E Global Networks. (86 min.)

Closing Night Cocktail Hour – 6:15 p.m.

Celebrate the festival finale with filmmakers Jeremy Charles and Ben Arredondo, creators of “Return of the Sacred Red Rock.” Free bites and drinks in the Kiva space.

“Tiger” (Sundance Spotlight) – 7:15 p.m. Directed by Loren Waters

A genuinely moving, stark portrait of Oklahoma artist Dana Tiger, her family, and the resurgence of their iconic Tiger T-shirt company. Fresh from Sundance acclaim and generating Oscar buzz.

“Return of the Sacred Red Rock” – 7:30 p.m. Directed by Jeremy Charles, Executive Produced by Ben Arredondo

This is purely a Kansas event. The Kaw (Kanza) Nation reunites with their sacred 28-ton stone, In ́zhújé waxóbe, after nearly a century of separation — a powerful story of healing, accountability and return. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and featured subject Storm Brave.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

What: AlterNative Film Festival

When: Nov. 7-9

Where: Mid-America All-Indian Museum, 650 N. Seneca

Admission: All events free & open to the public

Parking: Please park at Exploration Place and enter through Keeper Plaza

Full schedule: www.AlterNativeFilmFestival.org