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For Immediate Release October 5, 2007 For media inquiries, contact Cindy Benitez at publicrelations@aifisf.com. THE 32nd ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL San Francisco, CA- The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) and Title Sponsors, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, are proud to announce the opening and closing night films for the 32nd annual American Indian Film Festival. Opening the nine-day festival on Friday, Nov. 2 at Landmark Embarcedero Cinema in San Francisco will be two captivating documentaries, Maria Tallchief and Water Flowing Together, both exploring the world of ballet through the biographies of two renowned ballet dancers. The World Premiere of Maria Tallchief, directed by Sandra Osawa, poetically chronicles the life of legendary Osage dancer Maria Tallchief. Hailed as "America's first prima ballerina", this full-length documentary includes rare dance footage and exclusive interviews with Maria Tallchief as well as fellow dancers and historians. Water Flowing Together, directed by Gwendolen Cates, delves into the life of Navajo Indian / Puerto Rican New York City Ballet principal dancer, Jock Soto. Known as "one of the finest male dancers" in the world, this compelling documentary studies his connection to his heritage and follows him through the last two years of his career up to his retirement on June 19, 2005. Opening the second part of the festival at the historic Palace of Fine Arts on Thursday, Nov. 8 is the documentary Gathering Together and the acclaimed feature film Four Sheets to the Wind. Gathering Together by Bay Area director James Fortier, goes behind the scenes to chronicle to the story of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe's first traditional regional potlatch in over a century, as host of the 2006 Tribal Canoe Journey. A coming-of-age drama, Four Sheets to the Wind, directed by Sterlin Harjo, follows the story of Cufe Smallhill (Cody Lightning) after his father's untimely death. Cufe leaves home to visit his troubled sister (Tamara Podemeski) in Tulsa and unexpectedly meets a girl who changes his life. On Friday, Nov. 9 the American Indian Film Festival will close with the World Premiere of the documentary Making the River and the feature film Imprint. A film by Aboriginal Lens Productions (founded by Sarah Del Seronde and Paul Stoll), Making the River tells the saga of Jimi Dexter Simmons, who was charged with the first-degree murder of a prison guard at Washington State Penitentiary. Faced with the almost insurmountable odds that Jimi would be convicted and executed, the Simmons Brothers Defense was formed. Imprint, directed by Michael Linn, tells the story of Shayla Stonefeather (Tonantzin Carmelo), a prominent Native American attorney who has turned away from her people and the dreams of her youth. When she returns to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of South Dakota, her ancestral home, ghostly apparitions begin to haunt her with a frightening vision she does not want to believe. AIFI's American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show, honoring filmmakers and showcasing contemporary Native American talent, will be held Saturday, November 10, 2007 at the Palace of Fine Arts, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Fourteen awards will be presented including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Documentary. The awards show will feature a mix of live entertainment from both established and emerging Native artists and performers, including special performances by multi-talented singer Jamie Coon, violinist Swil Kanim, the Yaaw Tei Yi Tlingit Dancers of Alaska, and acclaimed Taos-based recording artist Robert Mirabal. A complete schedule will be available October 8, 2007 on our website, www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the general public and will require tickets for admission. Advance Tickets available with Visa & MasterCard thru AIFI by calling 415-554-0525. On-site tickets available at the following theater venues (on day of show.) Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema
Palace of Fine Arts ** November is National American Indian Heritage Month. AIFI welcomes all audiences and all colors to participate at festival screenings, seminars and the awards show.
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