Durango Film Festival returned for its 19th year beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and ending Sunday, March 3 with screenings in multiple locations. On Saturday, March 2, Tribal members Nate, Elliott, and DJ Hendren had the opportunity to showcase their most recent summer film project. Tribal Royalty was also highlighted in film as part of the projects created by the Native Lens Fellows for this event.  

Filmmakers and their invited guests gathered at the Durango Arts Center to enjoy a pre-screening reception along with the official showing of both “A Place to Explore”, directed by the Hendren brothers, and films directed by the Native Lens Fellows: “Standing Looking Toward the Future” featuring Southern Ute Royalty and “Rainbow Youth Rising” featuring Xander Hughes and the Rainbow Youth Center. Welcoming remarks were provided by Carol Fleisher, Colleen Thurston, Esther Belin, Gilda Yazzie, and Clyde Church.  

“Standing Looking Toward the Future” filmed by Tonya Tolino, Evan Smith, Ellyse Fredericks, and Sommer Lopez focused on Southern Ute Tribal Royalty and their important roles as young ambassadors for the Tribe. In the film, Autumn Sage, Maleina Carel, Shayne White Thunder, Henry Elkriver Whiteskunk II, and Theoden Greany share their stories. Each member of Tribal Royalty spoke of the importance of continuing to learn about their cultural heritage.  

In a recent interview with Nate, Elliott, and DJ Hendren the brothers spoke about their experiences in learning filmmaking and encourage other tribal youth to try new things as well as to apply for this year’s Film Workshop for Southern Ute high school students.  

“I used [Native Summer Workshop] as an opportunity just to better myself and get ready for filming [Nate and DJ] for snowboarding and skateboarding,” Elliott Hendren said.  

“The whole film process was not too bad; it was really fun–we would go out, like at nine o’clock and film for two to six hours,” Nate Hendren said. “We didn’t do any editing, so it was not too much of a hassle, all we did was film.” 

“Don’t be afraid, ‘full send’ and take a risk,” DJ Hendren said. “Do it for yourself and then you get better experiences, more opportunities, and you get to meet so many more new people all just by taking that risk.”  

The brothers hope to have their final project shown within the community in the near future, they want to continue to encourage their peers to expand their knowledge and explore the film industry. Southern Ute tribal students can also look forward to applying for this workshop this summer, with tentative dates to be in early August. The workshop has availability for ten Southern Ute high school students for the opportunity to earn a stipend, learn real-world filmmaking skills, get hands-on work experience, and create a short film.  

Durango Film Festival returned for its 19th year beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and ending Sunday, March 3 with screenings in multiple locations. On Saturday, March 2, Tribal members Nate, Elliott, and DJ Hendren had the opportunity to showcase their most recent summer film project. Tribal Royalty was also highlighted in film as part of the projects created by the Native Lens Fellows for this event.  

Filmmakers and their invited guests gathered at the Durango Arts Center to enjoy a pre-screening reception along with the official showing of both “A Place to Explore”, directed by the Hendren brothers, and films directed by the Native Lens Fellows: “Standing Looking Toward the Future” featuring Southern Ute Royalty and “Rainbow Youth Rising” featuring Xander Hughes and the Rainbow Youth Center. Welcoming remarks were provided by Carol Fleisher, Colleen Thurston, Esther Belin, Gilda Yazzie, and Clyde Church.  

“Standing Looking Toward the Future” filmed by Tonya Tolino, Evan Smith, Ellyse Fredericks, and Sommer Lopez focused on Southern Ute Tribal Royalty and their important roles as young ambassadors for the Tribe. In the film, Autumn Sage, Maleina Carel, Shayne White Thunder, Henry Elkriver Whiteskunk II, and Theoden Greany share their stories. Each member of Tribal Royalty spoke of the importance of continuing to learn about their cultural heritage.  

In a recent interview with Nate, Elliott, and DJ Hendren the brothers spoke about their experiences in learning filmmaking and encourage other tribal youth to try new things as well as to apply for this year’s Film Workshop for Southern Ute high school students.  

“I used [Native Summer Workshop] as an opportunity just to better myself and get ready for filming [Nate and DJ] for snowboarding and skateboarding,” Elliott Hendren said.  

“The whole film process was not too bad; it was really fun–we would go out, like at nine o’clock and film for two to six hours,” Nate Hendren said. “We didn’t do any editing, so it was not too much of a hassle, all we did was film.” 

“Don’t be afraid, ‘full send’ and take a risk,” DJ Hendren said. “Do it for yourself and then you get better experiences, more opportunities, and you get to meet so many more new people all just by taking that risk.”  

The brothers hope to have their final project shown within the community in the near future, they want to continue to encourage their peers to expand their knowledge and explore the film industry. Southern Ute tribal students can also look forward to applying for this workshop this summer, with tentative dates to be in early August. The workshop has availability for ten Southern Ute high school students for the opportunity to earn a stipend, learn real-world filmmaking skills, get hands-on work experience, and create a short film. 

For more information on the Native Summer Film Workshop contact ShaRay Rock at srrock@southernute-nsn.gov or Dustin Weaver at dweaver@southernute-nsn.gov