Daybreak Star Radio's Indigenous Film Showcase

Join us for the Daybreak Star Radio Winter Indigenous Film Showcase, a week-long celebration of Indigenous storytelling and creativity, taking place February 16–22, 2025, at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle, WA.

This free-to-attend festival features an exciting lineup of films, including Bring Them Home narrated by Lily Gladstone, Hey! Viktor starring Cody Lightning, Muru starring Cliff Curtis, Fish War, Imagining the Indian, and more. The showcase also includes short films like Janelle Niles: Inconvenient and many others.

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience powerful narratives, thought-provoking documentaries, and groundbreaking works by Indigenous filmmakers. Many films will feature in-person and virtual Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, offering unique insights into their stories and creative processes.

The festival concludes with the exclusive Filmmakers' Function on February 22nd, where filmmakers, creatives, and attendees can connect, collaborate, and celebrate Indigenous cinema.

Don’t miss this chance to honor Indigenous voices and experience the power of storytelling through film. Reserve your spot today and be part of this landmark event!

For more information, visit www.daybreakstarradio.com. Please check listings, some screenings are limited to ages 18 and over.

Key Details:

• What: Winter Indigenous Film Showcase
• When: February 16–22, 2025
• Where: Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, Seattle, WA
• Cost of Screenings: Free to attend
• Filmmaker's Function: Tickets $25

11:00 AM – Muru
Virtual Q&A with Cliff Curtis & Tearepa Kahi following the screening. Inspired by true events, MURU follows Police Sergeant 'Taffy' Tawharau (Cliff Curtis) as he faces a moral dilemma during a government-led armed raid on his Ruatoki community.

2:00 PM – Short Film Block 1
Short Films include - I Was Never The Siren, The Queen's Flower, Cleanings A Cakewalk, HAAGUA, & Tribal Food Sovereignty. A collection of diverse short films by Indigenous filmmakers, showcasing powerful stories and creative artistry.

4:00 PM – TBD

6:00 PM – Short Film Block (18+)
Short Films Include - Fool's Gold, The Dark Valley, Po'ele Wai, How Time Flies, & They're Not Here. Q&A with Tokala Tatum & Ryan Craig following the screening. An edgy and bold selection of short films for mature audiences, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity. This screening is limited to attendees 18 years of age or older.

5:00 PM – Short Film Block 2
Short Films include - Standing Above The Clouds, Facing The Storm, Tribal Food Sovereignty, War For The Woods, & Roots of Modern Native Activism. Q&A with Matt Remle & Frank Hopper following screening. Another lineup of compelling short films by Indigenous creators, offering unique perspectives and narratives.

7:30 PM – WaaPaKe
Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin’s deeply personal documentary explores the silence and resilience of residential school Survivors through truth, freedom, and power. Parental Advisory.

5:00 PM – Spirit Rangers
Virtual Q&A with Karissa Valencia following the screening. This animated series by Karissa Valencia follows Native American siblings Kodiak, Summer, and Eddy Skycedar, who secretly become Spirit Rangers to protect the land and its spirits.

7:00 PM – Indian Road Trip
Two Native con-artists are tasked with driving a cranky elder across the reserve, only to encounter supernatural forces trying to disrupt their journey.

5:00 PM – Short Film Block 3
Short Films Include - HAAGUA, Cleanings A Cakewalk, Commodity, The Queen's Flower, & Janelle Niles: Inconvenient. Virtual Q&A with Janelle Niles following the screening. Featuring a Q&A with comedian and filmmaker Janelle Niles, including her short Inconvenient. Parental Advisory.

7:30 PM – The Knowing
Q&A following screening. Journalist Tanya Talaga embarks on an eight-decade search for her matriarch Annie Carpenter, uncovering a story deeply connected to Canada’s residential school system.

5:00 PM – Café Daughter
Q&A with Shelly Niro following screening. A coming-of-age story about Yvette Wong, a young Chinese Cree girl in 1960s Saskatchewan who learns to embrace her Cree identity despite societal pressures.

7:30 PM – Joey Clift Spotlight
Q&A with Joey Clift during screening. An evening dedicated to celebrating Joey Clift’s contributions to Indigenous storytelling, featuring highlights from his impressive career.

5:00 PM – Bring Them Home
Q&A following screening. This powerful documentary tells the story of Blackfoot people working to reintroduce wild buffalo herds to their ancestral lands, a journey of cultural restoration and healing.

7:00 PM – Hey! Viktor
In-Person Q&A with Cody Lightning following screening. In this comedy-drama, Cody Lightning stars as a former child actor trying to produce a sequel to Smoke Signals decades after his fleeting fame. This screening is limited to attendees 18 years of age or older.

11:00 AM – Fish War
Explore the 1974 decision that upheld Indigenous fishing rights in Washington, a pivotal moment in environmental stewardship and activism.

2:00 PM – Imagining the Indian
In-Person Q&A with Ben West & Yancey Burns following screening. This award-winning documentary delves into the fight to end Native American mascoting in sports and beyond.

6:00 PM – Filmmakers’ Function
Join us for the Filmmakers' Function, the grand finale of the Winter Indigenous Film Showcase! Taking place on February 22, 2025, at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, this exclusive event is a celebration of Indigenous creativity and storytelling. Connect with filmmakers, artists, and creatives in a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere. Enjoy engaging conversations, networking opportunities, and a chance to honor the incredible talent showcased throughout the festival. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating the power of Indigenous storytelling!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, 5011 Bernie Whitebear Way, Seattle, United States