2021 Schedule:
Shining Mountains Film Festival is a documentary film festival presented by the Aspen Indigenous Foundation, in partnership with the City of Aspen and Wheeler Opera House. Focused on fostering Native American and indigenous peoples storytelling through film and live events in a way that supports and engages indigenous media arts; authentically captures national and international indigenous voices; highlights the work of indigenous filmmakers and performers for diverse audiences; and breaks barriers of racism by replacing stereotypes with credible representations of Indigenous peoples’ history, culture, and community.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Program 1 - Short films featuring End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock | 2-5 PM
A curated collection of short films with a feature length documentary, End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock and will be followed by a Q&A. Short films include Fast Horse, Cree Code Talker and The Blanketing. Program One opens with a Welcome celebration including a Ute Prayer and Song with Hoop Dance.
Fast Horse: Sundance Award-winning Fast Horse follows the return of the Blackfoot bareback horse-racing tradition in a new form: the Indian Relay. Siksika horseman Allison Red Crow struggles to build a team with second-hand races and a new jockey, Cody Big Tobacco, to take on the best riders in the Blackfoot Confederacy at the Calgary Stampede. Director and Screenwriter Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree).
Cree Code Talker: During World War II, Charles “Checker” Tomkins fought the enemy with a different kind of weapon. As a code talker in the Canadian military, he used his knowledge of the native Cree language to help develop a top-secret communication system to defeat the Germans. Followed by Q&A with Buffalo Child. Director Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree).
The Blanketing: A fiction combination of the infamous Chilcotin War and the smallpox outbreak in the 1800’s. The film alludes to the current confrontation between the Chilcotin people and Taseko Mines. Director Trevor Mack (Tsilhqot’in).
End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock: A group of indigenous women risk their lives to stop the Dakota Access oil pipeline construction that desecrated their ancient burial and prayer sites and threatens their land, water, and very existence. In the process, they must face the personal costs of leadership, even as their own lives and identities are transformed by one of the great political and cultural events of the early 21st century. Placing their courage in true historic perspective, End of the Line goes to the essence of this astonishing event – “the hearts of the women.” Followed by Q&A with Co-Producer Pearl Means. Director Shannon Kring.
Additional films TBA.
Program 2 - Documentary film featuring Earl Biss: The Spirit Who Walks Among His People | 6-8 PM
A Crow artist's joyous, bold, tumultuous journey to success in the Fine Art world. A master painter and descendent of great Crow Chiefs, Earl Biss (1947-1998) brought inherent, ancient spiritual power to his dynamic oil paintings in the 20th Century. Followed by Q&A with Dante Biss and Director Lisa Gerstner.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Program 3 - Short films featuring Warrior – The Life of Leonard Peltier | 2-5 PM
Sunday’s Program Three will open with a Welcome and Introduction by Buffalo Child. Followed by the short film A Nation is Coming, a live dance performance with Larry Yazzie, and the feature length documentary, Warrior – The Life of Leonard Peltier.
A Nation is Coming: Based upon various Native prophecies to reflect on how technology, “advancement,” and disease have changed both the land and the lives of those who lived here. A dance choreography with special effects featuring well known Native actor Michael Greyeyes (Woman Who Walks Ahead / The Life of Crazy Horse). Director Kent Monkman.
Warrior - The Life of Leonard Peltier: This is the definitive feature documentary about American Indian activist, Leonard Peltier. His story is told within the context of the American Indian Movement, the US federal government, and the multi-national companies interested in mining the land in South Dakota. Followed by Q&A with Jeanne Roach. Producer and director Suzie Baer.
Additional films TBA.
Program 4 - Documentary film featuring Women of the White Buffalo | 6-8 PM
An ancient, Native, matriarchal society has been upended by centuries of genocide and colonialism. This has resulted in culturally sabotaged and isolated communities that are in a constant struggle to save what remains of their sacred identity. The Lakota women living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, are rising up against the forces that continue to suppress them. By preserving and protecting their ancestral values and wisdom, they provide a source of hope to their people. Followed by Q&A with Director Deborah Anderson.
Sunday’s final program will include a closing ceremony with song.
Shining Mountains Film Festival is a documentary film festival produced by the City of Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House, in partnership with Aspen Film and non-profit partner Aspen Ute Foundation, focused on fostering Native American and indigenous peoples storytelling through film and live events in a way that supports and engages indigenous media arts; authentically captures national and international indigenous voices; highlights the work of indigenous filmmakers and performers for diverse audiences; and breaks barriers of racism by replacing stereotypes with credible representations of Indigenous peoples’ history, culture, and community.
The Shining Mountain Film Festival is presented in honor of Aspen’s second year of declaring the second Monday in October “Indigenous Peoples Day.” As Aspen’s first Native American film festival, the film series celebrates the spirit of our nation’s indigenous cultures.
For more information, please visit www.wheeleroperahouse.com