A handful of indigenous films were screened at the recent Sundance Institute while four Native filmmakers were selected for a special workshop.

''Smudge,'' a short by Metis filmmaker and actress Gail Maurice [Web Site] made its U.S. premiere. The film shows how a small group of urban Native women practice their ceremonies.

'Gesture Down (I Don't Sing)'' by Kumeyaay director and screenwriter Cedar Sherbert is another short. The film is Sherbert's personal adaptation of the poem ''Gesture Down to Guatemala,'' by the late Blackfeet writer James Welch.

Selected for the Filmmakers Workshop were Leslie Gee (Caddo/Delaware/Choctaw); Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo); Billy Luther (Navajo/Hopi/Laguna Pueblo), who made a film about the Miss Navajo Nation contest; and Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (Inupiaq).

Get the Story:
Sundance features Native filmmakers (Indian Country Today 2/7)

Relevant Links:
Sundance Institute - http://www.sundance.org

Related Stories:
Native films to be screened during Sundance festival (01/07)
Native filmmakers seek audience and respect (01/28)
Native filmmakers shoot for the stars (12/6)