FNFVF, Inc. Hosts Blackfoot Filmmaker Cowboy Smithx
Chicago, IL) First Nations Film and Video Festival, Inc. and the Meztli Cultural Organization had the great honor of hosting Blackfoot filmmaker Cowboy Smith at the Citlalin Theater in Pilsen as part of his nationwide crowdfunding tour to gain support for his feature film “Pensive Times of an Urban Tribe”, a film about urban Natives.
The event took place on May 11th after a quick set-up. Cowboy was put in touch with FNFVF Director Ernest Whiteman III by another Native filmmaker and FNFVF contributor Missy Whiteman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From there the FNFVF worked to secure a venue for Cowboy to present his project to the community.
“The Chicago community prides itself on supporting Native artists,” says Whiteman. In response to a call to the Native community, it was the Meztli Cultural Organization and its Director Gustavo Sanchez who out up the program very quickly. Sanchez said, “It is always an honor to present a Native perspective. It’s important.”
Local Native community members were on hand to hear Cowboy present some of his works, talk about his travels on this tour and about his upcoming feature project “Pensive Times of an Urban Tribe” which Cowboy continues to add to the screenplay as he meets more Urban Natives in his travels. Cowboy and his friend, photographer Blair Russell, who spoke on his own passion for photography have been traveling Canada and the United States for nearly two months, primarily through he generosity of the organizations and people they meet.
“The struggles make the trip a worthwhile experience,” said Cowboy.
First Nations Film and Video Festival, Inc. works hard to make sure that artists like Cowboy and Blair have their voices heard and is dedicated to promoting Native filmmakers like Cowboy and making sure general audiences learn about their works. Cowboy is panning to shoot “Pensive Times” later this year.
For more information on how to support Cowboy Smithx’s film visit his Fundweaver page.
(photos by EW3)
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- The event took place at the Citlalin Theater.
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- The Citlalin Theater is part of the Meztli Cultural Organization in Pilsen
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- People meet and greet at the Citlalin
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- Readying the presentation.
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- Cowboy Smithx in a pensive moment before the presentation.
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- Meeting and greeting continues
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- Gustvao Sanchez, the Director of the Meztli Cultural Organization, a virtual one-man band there, holds court, telling folks of all he does.
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- Cowboy Smithx presented his films, his works and his upcoming project “Pensive Times of an Urban Tribe” an interesting feature film he plans to shoot this year.
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- Cowboy on the move.
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- Blair Russell, Cowboy’s friend and traveling companion discusses his own passion: photography
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- Blair Russell talks about the “Idle No More” image that garnered him international attention.
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- Cowboy after the presentation.
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- Dallas Goldtooth and family were among Smithx’s supporters.
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- Blair Russell, Photographer
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- The meeting and greeting lasted well beyond the presentation. Thanks to all who came out in support of Native American Cinema and filmmakers.
