Watching films through a Native Lens.

Friday - March 20, 2026 by Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
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Native Lens, in partnership with the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media, held a special showcase featuring Native American storytelling at the Durango Independent Film Festival (DIFF) on Saturday, March 7, at the Durango Arts Center. Native Lens proudly shared the eclectic visions of filmmakers from different reservations, featuring eight films that celebrate Indigenous voices, histories and cultures through film and video. Indigenous filmmakers gathered for a group photo following the program, Saturday, March 7, at the Durango Arts Center; pictured left to right - Antonia Hatch, Annette Nowlin, John Oberly, Kaldurion Pinnecoose and Faustino Joy.
Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Autumn Sage; Southern Ute Brave, Theoden Greany and Little Miss Southern Ute Starlitt Greany stand with Faustino Joy and John Oberly, two of the featured Ute film makers.
Colten Ashley welcomed fellow film lovers to the Sorrel Sky Gallery offering a unique opportunity to engage with the Native Lens team and meet Indigenous filmmakers featured in the various films.
Antonia Hatch can be seen meeting and greeting with like-minded film aficionados during the reception.
Native Lens Project Producer, Colleen Thurston was available to speak and interact with excited individuals who gathered at the Sorrel Sky Gallery following this year’s film showcase.
Director Annette Nowlin posed alongside Brandon Nowlin – her husband and a featured actor in her film, “The Red Echoes.”
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
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The Durango Independent Film Festival (DIFF) Native Lens showcase featured unique stories from the perspective of Native filmmakers. Native Lens Project Producer, Colleen Thurston said, “For four years we’ve partnered with DIFF to offer this community screening of Native film. Native Lens is thrilled to be back once again at this festival on Ute land to celebrate Indigenous voices, histories and cultures through film and video.” Following the screening, the public was invited to attend a community reception at the Sorrel Sky Gallery. This event offered a unique opportunity to engage with the Native Lens team and meet the Native American filmmakers featured in this year’s film festival.

  • Speaking Ute, directed by John Oberly, Faustino Joy, Tallias Cantsee, Phillip Velasquez
     
  • Sacred Ink, directed by Antonia Hatch
     
  • Facing the Storm: Youth Activism, directed by Mikayla Gingrey
     
  • The Red Echoes, directed by Annette Nowlin and Josh Sorter
     
  • Healing Rituals, directed by Raven Sienna Myers
     
  • Ripple Effects, directed by Lynn Melling, Ian Planchon
     
  • Kusi Smiles, directed by Sisa Quispe
     
  • We Are Nuche, directed by Aliysha Arnold, Kaldurian Pinnecoose, Bright Highelk, Maximus Hatch, Kaitlyn Redhorse, Konrad Jacket, Angel Heart, Ohnday Oo-Ota 
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