FREE EVENT

Doors 6:30 p.m.; Film 7 p.m.

This event is free as part of PAM’s Free First Thursday, thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Click here to learn more about accessibility at the Tomorrow Theater.

THE EXPERIENCE

Seven talented Indigenous storytellers were named Confluence Filmmaker Fellows last year. Thanks to a generous grant from Oregon Film, Confluence supports Indigenous filmmakers in achieving their visions through cash awards and new film equipment, helping them take their craft to the next level. Join us for a screening of their short films followed by a moderated Q&A.

ON SCREEN: Short Films

From the Heart of the Monster: A Family Legend  by Alana Tiikpuu,
Runtime: 35 minutes
In a journey of self discovery, an Indigenous artist goes back home to learn from their elee’. (paternal grandma) This is the story of their family on their homeland. Runtime roughly 7-10 minutes [

Are You With Me? by Joaquin Trujillo
Are You With Me? is a Docu-short made by Joaquin Trujillo about local Portland band Kill Michael. Touching on topics of mental health, queer identity, cultural pride and generational trauma. Coming from 4 different diverse cultural backgrounds, Kill Michael creates an unidentifiable sound with metaphors and beautiful message’s hidden in plain sight.

Blooming Stories, “Lily”
Runtime: 10 minutes
Lily, a young Native American girl from the Warm Springs Tribe in Oregon, dreams of becoming a gymnast. As she trains and faces challenges, she draws inspiration from the resilient wildflowers along the columbia river of Oregon which symbolize the enduring strength and presence of her indigenous heritage in the region. Through her Interview, Lily shares her culture, knowledge, and resilience, highlighting her growth in gymnastics.

A Tule Tale  by Daisy Sue Minthorn
Runtime: 10 minutes
A Tule Tale by Daisy Sue Minthorn (Yakama/Cayuse) is a short film that explores the intersection of the tule plant and its use in Sahaptin Plateau speaking tribes of the Pacific Northwest. It explores the harvesting, ecological, cultural, spiritual and religious ties to the soft-stemmed bulrush plants by tribal people, and its connection to many cultural ceremonies and practices. It’s meant to inform and hopefully inspire gathering practices by Tribal peoples on our usual and accustomed homelands. Runtime: less than 10 minutes

Untitled  by Littlebear Sanchez
Runtime: 6 minutes
Inside a sacred sweat lodge, a kaleidoscope of emotions and visions is unleashed, propelling the filmmaker on a transformative journey within the depths of their own mind.

ON STAGE: Confluence Filmmaker Fellows

The Confluence Filmmaker Fellows showcased include: Alana Tiikpuu, Mac Savage, Littlebear Sanchez, Daisy Minthorn, and Joaquin Trujillo. The post-screening conversation will be moderated by Woodrow Hunt and LaRonn Katchia.

Alana Tiikpuu Walker
Alana Tiikpuu Walker is a non-binary Nez Perce and Navajo writer and director from Lapwai, Idaho. They are a graduate from the Institute of American Indian Arts where they majored in Cinematic Arts Technology. While attending IAIA they received an award for best Broadcast Production for their short film on the Standing Rock protests. After graduating from IAIA, Alana went on to become a fellow of the LA Skins Fest Animation lab, and a mentee of the Netflix Animation Foundations. Alana currently works as the Audio and Video Technician for the Nez Perce Tribe’s Enterprise, and they currently are working on animating traditional stories of the Nez Perce tribe.

Mac Savage
Marcos Alatorre, aka Mac Savage, is an aspiring Native American filmmaker with a deep passion for storytelling and a strong commitment to preserving the culture, history, and traditions of his people. Hailing from the Klamath Tribes, which is located in southern Oregon, Marcos’s cultural background has heavily influenced his artistic journey into filmmaking. As a lifelong resident of the beautiful city of Roses, Portland, Oregon, Marcos has acquired a unique perspective that allows him to see the world through the dual lenses of both the city life and through his Klamath Tribal heritage. For Marcos, every story he tells is inherently a Native story—a reflection of his identity as a Native person. Whether delving into the mysteries of Bigfoot or exploring the cosmic realm of the universe, his projects are heavily influenced by his deep ancestral roots. With over 50 videos on his youtube channel ranging from hip hop music videos to traditional storytelling videos, Marcos pushes the boundaries of his creativity, embracing the challenge of trying new things and always thinking outside the box. His unwavering commitment to learning is evident in every video he produces, as he constantly seeks to expand and acquire new life and filmmaking skills.

Daisy Minthorn
Daisy Sue Minthorn is Cayuse/Palouse, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation of Washington, and a lifelong resident of Pendleton, Oregon where she currently works for the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. In addition to museum work, Daisy has an extensive professional tribal work history including working as a government contractor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Realty Specialist in tribal lending, low-income housing, and communications. Daisy has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Sociology with a minor in Writing from Eastern Oregon University and is a current graduate student at the University of Oklahoma in the Museum Studies program. Daisy is new to filmmaking but has always appreciated the genre and is excited to start learning the craft and creating videos that showcase the beauty of our usual and accustomed homelands.

Littlebear Sanchez
Born in Austin, Texas, Littlebear Sanchez (Lipan Apache & Mexican) is a Two-Spirit filmmaker and the founder of Wild Butterfly Films. With experience in producing short films, documentary, and experimental films, their focus is creating impactful storytelling with a diverse cast and crew, while specifically highlighting the voices and experiences of indigenous communities.

Joaquin Trujillo
Joaquin Trujillo is a Chicano/Indigenous videographer and photographer from Portland Oregon. Back in May 2020, Joaquin released a short film titled Promised Goods that was nominated for an Upcoming Filmmaker Award at the LA SKINS Film Festival in Los Angeles. Of recent, Joaquin has been doing local video work in the underground DIY music scene for bands such as Rhododendron, Twistur, Kill Michael, Etc.