spark & ignite a vision
Vision Maker Media is hosting this year’s hybrid Producers Summit themed “Spark & Ignite a Vision,” August 22nd at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Calera, OK as well as virtually through the Whova app. This all-day hybrid event is free and open to the public.
First-time VMM producers will attend in-person, while virtual attendees may register to attend via the Whova app at: https://whova.com/portal/registration/vmmps_202407/.
This event is set to “Spark” and “Ignite” stories from Native communities. Attendees will be introduced to on-going propositions in the film industry, and VMM will share some current projects and initiatives to light your creative fire.
Register to attend all 5 hybrid sessions, which will be live streamed through our Whova app, by downloading the Whova app at: https://whova.com/portal/registration/vmmps_202407/.
9:20 - 10:20 AM: Session 1 - indigenizing & futurizing media
Join Megan Elliott with filmmaker Jacob Schwitzer to hear about the cutting-edge media project that is set to transform public media content as he workshops his project at the 2024 Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts Residency at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality to projection mapping and VFX, the JCC Emerging Media Arts Residency is working with Indigenous filmmakers to indigenize and futurize our media. VMM’s own Leala Pourier will also join to discuss VMM’s hope to re-shape the digital landscape.
10:25 - 11:25 AM: Session 2 - our history is our future
Native communities have so much to offer the world with our complex and fascinating legal histories. Meet Katrina Jagodinsky of the University of Nebraska’s Department of History and College of Law who has partnered with VMM and the Institute for Policy, Politics, Law and History to create the Law and Race Initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation. This initiative will award $25,000 to two (2) documentary short film projects that have a compelling Indigenous legal story to share. VMM Board member Phil Hoffman will chat with filmmakers Dan Bigbee and Lily Shangreaux about their legal history project and learn about Katrina’s mission behind this exciting initiative. Be thinking of what Indigenous legal stories need to be shared with the world!
11:30 am - 12:20 pm: Session 3 - Legacy of the Land
Learn about the spark created by NOVA producer and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma citizen Chris Neighbors that ignited a firestorm of short films that explore thought-provoking Indigenous knowledge and how traditional practices and stewardship are driving today’s climate change solutions. And we’ll hear Kanesia McGlashan-Price talk about her experience producing “Tides of Tradition” for NOVA’s digital series “Legacy of the Land”, in conjunction with the 3-part documentary series, “Sea Change: The Gulf of Maine”.
1:35 - 2:35 pm: Session 4 - partnerships with firelight media
Firelight Media knows a thing or two about burning down a broken system. For over 20 years, Firelight has supported and advocated for independent filmmakers and offers an array of programs geared toward community storytelling. Join Monika Navarro, Senior Director of Artist Programs, and filmmakers Colleen Thurston and Brooke Pepion Swaney, as they discuss their projects and how Firelight Media offered them additional opportunities to push their projects forward.
2:40 - 3:40 pm: Session 5 - The mentor/mentee relationship
Meet the Mentor/Mentee team for the short film The Love for the Game. Hear how VMM’s Creative Shorts Fellowship helps emerging filmmakers through the production process as they hurdle the obstacles that are inevitable in filmmaking and get inspired by Josiah’s spark that ignited his dream.
thank you to our sponsors:
thank you to our Participants:
