Gallup Film Festival backed by city, fans
For the past few years, organizers of the Gallup Film Festival have rolled out the red carpet for superstars of small independent films, notable filmmakers, and up-and-coming screen celebrities trying to make a name for themselves in the film industry.
Many arrive at the event with their latest and often as-yet unreleased films in tow, while some engage with the audience in question-and-answer sessions after a screening.
This year is no exception, with film stars like Martin Sensmeier set to appear at the El Morro Theatre — the primary venue for the festival — on Sept. 17 for a special sit-down with filmgoers. Sensmeier is from the Tlingit and Koyukon-Athabaskan tribes of Alaska. He joins Denzel Washington in the debut of Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming The Magnificent Seven, which will hit theaters late September.
“This festival has a lot of variety in terms of film offerings,” GFF Director Knifewing Segura said. “We have shorts, comedies, dramas, foreign films. There is something for everyone. I think everyone will enjoy themselves.”
Segura, a former Gallup Police Department officer, as well as the founder and CEO of the Downtown Conference Center, said question-and answer-sessions, for the most part, represent the glitzy side of film festivals. But, he said, there’s also an equally significant aspect of film festivals that’s often obscured among the new faces and star-power that come to town.
“I think a big thing about film festivals, and certainly this film festival, is the exposure the relatively small number of nascent filmmakers receive for having their films selected for screening and possible future distribution,” Segura explained. “A lot of times a film festival, no matter what your inclusion, is the first step toward a career in film or TV.”
Some 46 films are slated to be shown at the El Morro Theatre Sept. 16, 17, and 18.
Natasha Hale is slated to give a talk or two this weekend.
Hale (formerly Natasha Johnson) is a Native American program manager for the Grand Canyon Trust — a nonprofit that works to protect the land, water, and air quality of the Grand Canyon.
Hale’s originally from Twin Lakes, on the Navajo Nation, and was the lead actress in Turquoise Rose (2007), a drama directed and produced by Flagstaff-based Travis Holt Hamilton and shot primarily on the Navajo Nation.
The opening-night agenda for the Gallup Film Festival includes the session by Sensmeier and a meet-and-greet kick-off party at the Downtown Conference Center, 204 W. Coal Ave.
“We’re psyched this year because we’ve extended the advertising to across the country,” Segura said. “We have films from as far away as Iran, Canada, Spain, from places in the former Soviet Union, Poland, Italy, France, and of course, the United States. From the feedback I’m getting from the community and from the people who’ve submitted films, this looks like it’s going to be big. Real big.”
HOW DID GALLUP FILM FEST GET ITS START?
As a volunteer video coordinator at the El Morro Theatre — which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988 — several years ago, Segura, who is Chiricahua Apache, worked alongside his Navajo wife, Beverly Newman, who was the theater manager at the time. The two wondered what could be done annually to draw people from Gallup’s art and film community.
The plan hit an impasse when Newman was transferred to another city job across town. But Segura kept ahold of the film idea and put on the first festival three years ago. He said attendance has steadily grown over the years.
This year, the city of Gallup awarded the festival $16,000 in lodgers tax funding. It was the first time the festival received such funding in its short history.
“That was a blessing, and I am very thankful for it,” Segura said of the lodgers tax award. “To say that [the festival’s] now on the map is an understatement.”
FILM SAMPLE
The Chickasaw Nation-produced film Te Ata was selected for this year’s festival. The film is based on a true story about Chickasaw storyteller Mary Thompson Fisher.
Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma) Governor Bill Anoatubby said the film is an effort to tell the story of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. The Chickasaw Nation represents the twelfth largest tribe in the U.S.
“As a performing artist, Te Ata was a significant part of a movement that helped members of the public view Native Americans as a vital part of American society,” Anoatubby said. “Her performances touched the lives of thousands of families who learned to better appreciate the positive contributions Native Americans have made to this great country.”
THE FORMAT
The $5 tickets are good for “blocks” of showings on specified days, meaning film-goers may see multiple films on any given day.
Navajo film star Roger Willie (Windtalkers, 2002) is on tap to promote the film, The Watchman’s Canoe, with Director Barrie Chase.
Bands and soloist round out the event, with performances by Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers, Levi Platero, Clan-Destine, Kelly Mortenson, and Fate’s Destiny.
Segura said throughout the festival, audience members will be asked to anonymously cast votes for their favorite films. There are recognitions for best male and female actors, best editor, best foreign film, and best screenplay.
Information: For a full schedule, visit: gallupfilmfestival.com or go to page 22 of the Calendar section. Friday night kick-off party: $10; Saturday and Sunday films: $5 per block. Weekend pass Sept. 17 & 18: $30 (does not include Friday’s Kick-Off Party).
To Purchase Tickets: Gallup Downtown Conference Center, 204 West Coal Ave. Place your order for Will Call at (505) 722-8982.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
