Video short animation "The Legend of the Northern Lights" by Seth Adam Smith

Watch "The Legend of the Northern Lights" (4:06 min, 2014) "Look to the light and swim to the top of the Great Mountain. There you will find your home. There you will swim in the eternal river of the sky." - Seth Adam Smith

Art by Ashley Collett
Music" "In Reverence" by David Tolk
More legend of "Northern Lights"

LIVE Camera of Northern Lights

TED Talk: What do the northern lights sound like?

Recording: The Sound of the Aurora Borealis 

TEDx Talk: "Books don't create movements, movements create books

Image by Ashley Collett  

Image Rights:  Seth Adam Smith

Video short animation "Nebula" directed by Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon

Watch "Nebula" (vimeo) and (YouTube) On a mountain, in the forest, a young girl encounters a mysterious presence. / Dans une forêt en montagne, une petite fille fait une mystérieuse rencontre.

Student film made at Gobelins l'école de l'image
Directors / Réalisateurs : Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon

Image Credits: Camille Andre, Marion Bulot, Clément Doranlo, 

Myriam Fourati, Jonghyun Jungboix, Alexis Kerjosse, Sarah Simon

Video short animation " "L3.0" directed by Alexis Decelle

Watch "L3.0" (vimeo) and YouTube (4:38 minutes, 2014 science fiction) Leo, a Hi-Tech ‘pet’ robot, wanders alone in Paris following the mysterious disappearance of nearly all living species. He spends his days trying to entertain himself but to no avail. Then one day he meets a new living being ... /  Léo, robot de compagnie Hi-Tech, erre seul à Paris suite à la mystérieuse disparition de toute espèce vivante. Il passe ses journées à essayer de se distraire mais en vain. Jusqu’au jour où il fait la rencontre d’un nouvel être vivant …

ISART DIGITAL 2014 Grand Jury Prize

Director: Alexis Decelle
Director of Photography: Alexandre Archenoult
Director of Photography 1st Assistant: Cyril Declercq
3D Special Effects and Animation by:
Alexis Decelle, Cyril Declercq, Vincent Defour, Pierre Jury
Music and Sound Design:
Maxime Ferrieu, Victor Battaglia, Nicolas De Ferran, Rémi Haentjens

Image Credits by the filmmakers

Video short films by Phil Ives "Tribal Journeys 2014 to Bella Bella and the QATUWAS FESTIVAL" + "Malahat Nation: First Nations Land Management" + "The Story of Cedar: Cowichan Workshop" + "Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver, Totem Pole for M'akola Housing, Duncan BC" + "Herb Rice, Cowichan Coast Salish Native Pacific Northwest, Master Carver" + "Harvey George: Fishing Boat Carver"

Watch "Tribal Journeys 2014 to Bella Bella and the QATUWAS FESTIVAL" 
On July 4th, 2014 the Kw'umut Lelum and Malahat Nation Canoe Family left from Brown's Bay Vancouver Island to make their way to Bella Bella and the 2014 Tribal Journeys Qatuwas Festival. 

As they follow the ancient water routes traveled by their their ancestors, they are welcomed to each nation's traditional lands with ceremony and protocols. The return to Bella Bella was a memorable journey not only for the youth, but also for many Elders as they traveled through pristine waters and remote locations to the lands of the Heiltsuk Nation where the first Tribal Journeys gathering took place over 25 years ago.

Watch "Malahat Nation: First Nations Land Management" 

(10 minutes, December 2014)

Website for Málexet Nation / Malahat Nation

The People of the Warm Land Shhweenustham 'u tu Quw'utsun Hwulmuhw, in the Cowichan Region of B.C. Canada, is a story told through a series of short films by filmmaker Phil Ives.

 
Watch "The Story of Cedar: Cowichan Workshop"
(29:16 minutes, 2012) From the moment of birth, to the time of passing, cedar has traditionally played a vital role in the life of the First People of the Pacific Northwest. This 30min documentary tells the story of cedar, how the bark is stripped from the cedar tree and prepared for cedar weaving (hats) and discusses the art of cedar weaving and the affect this workshop had on the participants. Project was facilitated by Maria Sampson. The video was produced by Louise McMurray and the Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival and directed, shot and edited by Phil Ives.

Watch "Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver, Totem Pole for M'akola Housing, Duncan BC"
(17:44 minutes, 2011) Harold Joe, Cowichan Carver of Totem Poles, discusses the planning, designing and carving of the pole including symbolism, animal totems and healing in his creations. Video: See the pole being moved with commentary by George Rice

Watch "Herb Rice, Cowichan Coast Salish Native Pacific Northwest, Master Carver"
(26:25 minutes, 2012) An interview with Herb Rice, a Coast Salish Native Indian Artist from the Pacific Northwest, is a Master Wood Carver whose work is in private collections all over the world. Herb discussed style, knives, history and technique during this 26 min documentary.

Watch "Harvey George: Fishing Boat Carver"
(5:32 minutes, 2013) A 5 minute video interview with Elder Harvey George model fishing boat carver from Duncan, BC. 12 of his carved boats are located in the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre.

Video short film "Interstate" directed by Camille Stochitch

Watch "Interstate" (19:57 min) 2013 award-winning, American Film Institute Student Thesis short film. In Los Angeles California, Joaquin is a 40 year old driving instructor struggling to survive in a city where he arrived years ago as an undocumented worker. In order to buy the house of his dreams and finally settle down, he navigates between a small illegal business and his daily routine. With his business partner Lalo, he helps new immigrants get their drivers licenses in Utah, a State that does not require a US Social Security Number to take a driver's test. When Joaquin is confronted by ICE  (Homeland Security Investigations), he realizes his fate might be compromised forever.

Joaquín es un profesor de manejo que enseña a inmigrantes ilegales a manejar, llevándolos hasta Utah para que reciban su licencia en un estado donde no se requiere cédula. Un día, después de su clase con Nayeli, una estudiante que captiva su atención, un agente Nacional aparece en su puerta. Joaquín debe ayudar al agente arrestar a Lalo, su jefe, en el próximo intercambio, o ira a la cárcel. ¿Salvará a los inmigrantes que ha estado ayudando o a sí mismo?

Writer/Director: Camille Stochitch 

 Crew and Cast Credits: IMDB

Latino International Film Festival 

Photo Credits: "Interstate" website

Video short film "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" by Bayou Grace and Varisco

Watch "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" (13:15 minutes 2014 short film) "For hundreds of years, residents of coastal Louisiana have relied upon the natural tropical storm and hurricane protections provided by its environment. Barrier islands provided a first line of defense helping to break up waves produced by storms. Mile upon mile of coastal wetlands served as a second line of defense helping to absorb storm surge and provide much needed friction to slow winds. Communities were built along a third line of defense–natural ridges, the high ground along bayous built up by the deposition of river sediments. Land loss has nearly stolen these protections, forcing residents to rely almost solely on manmade protections which are often not up to the task." ~ Bayou Grace 

Music by Zachary Richard

Bayou Grace  and Mission/History

Article: "Bayou Water Runs In Our Veins" by Captain Wendy Wilson-Billiot

Thanks to +Capt John Swallow

Image Credit: Rocky McKeon

requested by

Captain Wendy Wilson-Billiot

Video short film "A Better Tomorrow" by Mitsuyo Miyazaki, from The "Life Is Amazing" Short Film Series

Watch "A Better Tomorrow" (12:13 min , 2013 science-fiction) In the near future when water is scarce, Shin and Myra, two orphans following in their scientist father's footsteps, develop a technology that could turn the tides of time and heal the earth. But when dark forces kidnap them in an attempt to steal their father's invention, the device is mistakenly activated and a mysterious power unleashed. While trying to escape their captors, they are magically transported on a voyage out of this world. ( Vimeo viewing link ) ( YouTube viewing link ) 

Written and Directed by Mitsuyo Miyazaki
Video: About the director's vision
Video: Production Diary

Music by Simon Webster

The "Life Is Amazing" Short Film Series

Image Credits: Mitsuyo Miyazaki .com

Video Movie 'SOLD" + Interview with Lisa Kristine (Humanitarian Photographer) + Native American Women Speak on Human Trafficking + Documentary "In Plain Sight" (the story of Human Trafficking in the USA)

(2016) Watch "SOLD" interview with Lisa Kristine, Humanitarian Photographer"
The documentary interviews Lisa Kristine and shares her experiences as she photo-captures images that expose the spectre of modern-day slavery. A mother and artist, some of Lisa's experiences as a photographer include crawling through mine shafts in Ghana, posing as a woman for sale on the streets of Washington DC, and entering brothels in India to meet and secretly photograph workers. More than 28 million people are enslaved today, working for no pay under the threat of violence, in every country and on every continent. Website for feature film "SOLD"
Watch movie Trailer on vimeo for "SOLD"  and on YouTube from Oscar-winning Director Jeffrey Brown, Executive Producer Emma Thompson and Producer Jane Charles.

VIDEOs: Native American / First Nation's Women Speak on Human Trafficking (of First Nations / Native American women):
Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women with Cinnamon Quale

FLETC Human Trafficking Video - Native American

Sex Trafficking: Perspective from the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Native Women Speak at Men Against Human Trafficking Meeting

Native American Trafficking

Native Hope at Sturgis Rally to Combat Sex Trafficking


Watch full documentary "In Plain Sight" Human Trafficking in the USA 
Segment One
Segment Two
Segment Three
Executive produced and narrated by Natalie Grant and released into stores nationwide by Word Films in 2014, the feature-length documentary features six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America. Journeying to six US cities, the documentary opens the viewer’s eyes to what’s happening down the street “in plain sight”. Through engaging interviews with numerous victims of sex trafficking, the force, coercion, and deception of the children and women becomes apparent. In the midst of the darkness, stories of hope and freedom emerge as each survivor shares how she was impacted through the work of a sex trafficking aftercare home.

HUMANITARIAN PHOTOGRAPHY on Slavery and Human Trafficking:
Watch TED Talk"Photos That Bear Witness to Modern Slavery: Lisa Kristine"
Watch Wisdom 2.0 Lecture: "Reflections on Presence from Ancient Cultures: Lisa Kristine"
Lisa Kristine, Photography Books on Human Slavery and Human Trafficking
Watch "One Breath" Book Trailer
Watch "Slavery" Book Trailer
Watch documentary Trailer: "#standwithme" by Stillmotion

Video short film "The SAND STORM 沙尘暴" directed by Jason Wishnow

"THE SAND STORM 沙尘暴 " (9:22 min 2014) Communications lines dissolve, and a water smuggler navigates a tumultuous, dystopian city on the brink - in this lyrical “low-fi sci-fi” tour through a bleak future ... setting the stage for more to come. This film was made in China and stars in order of appearance Ai WeiWei (艾未未), Hu JiaNing (胡珈宁), Li Ning (李宁) and Bai Yao (白瑶)

Directed by Jason Wishnow

This film was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign 

TED Talks

Image Credits

Video short film "Chester Nez - Living History" by Navajo Oral History Project (Winona State University and Diné College)

Watch "Chester Nez - Living History" by Navajo Oral History Project (19 minutes) This documentary film was researched, photographed, edited and produced by students of Winona State University (Winona, Minnesota) and Diné College (Tsaile, Arizona, Navajo Nation) during summer 2012. It contains stories told by Chester Nez of Chichiltah, New Mexico, to the students during several hours of interviews about his life. Chester who passed away June 4th, 2014, was the last surviving member of The Original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who were recruited in 1942 to create a code using the Navajo language for use in the battlefield so the South Pacific. Chester and the rest of The Original 29 then took the code they created into battle. (Vimeo viewing Link)

This documentary film is archived at the Navajo Nation Museum, Navajo Nation Library, Winona State University Library, and Diné College Library, and at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. The film is part of the Navajo Oral History project, a multi-year collaboration between the Winona State University Mass Communication Department and Diné College, the official Tribal College of the Navajo Nation.

Image Credit

Video short animation "Fly Me Around The World 自主制作アニメ" directed by Cheng Liang

Watch "Fly Me Around The World 自主制作アニメ" (2 min) A mystical girl meets a magical robot - together they enjoy the beauty of the world, the combined wonder of their imaginations, and the power of independent positive visualization. 

Directed by Cheng Liang
Music by Han Ding
2010 independent student film made at Tokyokogeidai Tokyo University of the Arts

Video short animation "Consumed" directed by Gasan Sallies

Watch "Consumed" (3:46 minutes) Consumed in technology, a man re-discovers himself through an unexpected journey.

Written and Directed by Gasan Sallies (animation, compositing, lighting)

2013 Student film at The Animation School in Cape Town and Johannesburg Africa

Image Credits: Gasan Sallies 

Video short film + podcasts "The Indian Thing ~ Restoring Mohawk: History. Identity. Family" by Paulette Moore

Watch "The Indian Thing ~ Restoring Mohawk: History. Identity. Family" by Paulette Moore
“Restoring Mohawk” is my own story; my family’s story. It’s a story about secrets and shame; about fear and being invisible and seeking and finding our own voice and identity and place. My grandfather Albert Hill was Mohawk Indian raised on Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations reserve southeast of Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Mildred Hill, my grandmother came from a poor Irish farming family near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Mildred was feisty and funny as well as racist against her husband and children. Her fear and secrets and longing for place still impacts our family profoundly.

My mom Patricia Moore bore the brunt of my grandmother’s insecurity and a century-old Canadian policy called the Indian Act allowed and in fact encouraged my mom to erase the Indian identity that her mother taught her to despise.  In 1970 my mom sold our family’s Indian rights for less than $100. That meant our family relinquished all treaty and statutory rights as Native people and the rights to live in the reserve community. That action was called "Enfranchisement" also known as "The Gradual Civilization Act".

Click here to read the Full Story.

In 1985 the U.N. Human Rights Committee ruled the Indian Act was a grave human rights violation and Canada changed its laws around revoking Indian status.  My sister Pamela Latham and I seek to regain our Indian rights. My mom still struggles with her Indian history and identity.  “It’s not what I am,” she says. “But I don’t really know what I am.”
Click here to read the Full Story.

Audio Podcasts Part 1

Audio Podcasts Part 2

Original music created and performed by Kate Ofwono

Paulette Moore

“I am a journalist, documentary filmmaker and educator with narrative films rising. My interests lie in art, power, community, creative conflict, justice, beauty, technology and how all of those things intersect in this big, complex world.”

Moore is currently Associate Professor teaching digital media production & research and is with the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA and a consultant with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Geneva, Switzerland, creating films and a blog to promote gender justice and diversity within the organization.

Art and Neutralizing the Indian Act at NMAI

Art and Neutralizing the Indian Act at NMAI