Movies

4th World Media Lab Marks 10 Years at the 51st Annual Seattle International Film Festival May 15-25, 2025

BBG News

The 4th World Media Lab celebrates its 10-year anniversary during the 51st annual Seattle International Film Festival, which runs from May 15 to May 25, 2025.

cINeDIGENOUS Spotlight Showcases 17 Films Representing 11 Countries at SIFF

2025 signifies the tenth year since the establishment of the 4th World Media Lab during the Seattle International Film Festival. This event will take place physically from May 15th to 25th, and online from May 26th to June 1st.

The 4th World Media Lab offers a one-year fellowship for budding and established Indigenous filmmakers, enriching their filmmaking abilities and connections by participating in film festivals, practical training sessions, masterclasses, developing projects, pitch events, and meetings with financiers and other influential figures within the industry.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d like to share that the 4th World Media Lab is a unique collaboration between global film events, financiers, and cinematic leaders, all working together to nurture, educate, and support the careers of Indigenous filmmakers. This fellowship program unfolds at three prestigious international film festivals: Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and Camden International Film Festival.

Six Native American artists are set to gain recognition and financial backing through a program at the lab. They’ll be provided with mentoring and artistic assistance by influential figures from the field, including Pacific Islanders in Communications, ITVS, and esteemed director Miki Magasiva (Tinā’s Director).

During the present era, indigenous tales provide innovative viewpoints and valuable insights, guiding us through periods of change and metamorphosis, particularly when presented via film and imaginative narratives,” explains Tracy Rector, founder of the 4th World Media Lab.

The 2025 Fellows chosen are:

2025 Fellows

Kekama Amona

Indigenous affiliation: Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian)

Katsitsionni Fox

Indigenous affiliation: Mohawk, Haudenosaunee/First Nations

James Johnson III 

Indigenous affiliation: Koyukon Athabaskan

Jules Arita Koostachin 

Indigenous affiliation: Attawapiskat 

Tiare Ribeaux

Indigenous affiliation: Kanaka ʻŌiwi

Steph Viera

Indigenous affiliation: Diné, Salvadoran

Excitedly speaking as a film enthusiast, I can’t wait to share that the Seattle International Film Festival will shine a light on an annual curated focus, cINeDIGENOUS. This showcase celebrates the cream of Indigenous cinema, with must-watch premieres such as Colleen Thurston’s DROWNED LAND (NorthWest Premiere), REMAINING NATIVE (SXSW Documentary Jury Prize Winner), and KA WHAWHAI TONU (STRUGGLES WITHOUT END), the U.S. debut of New Zealand’s highest-grossing film from 2024. This marks two decades of amplifying Indigenous cinema content, making it a not-to-be-missed event! The full cINeDIGENOUS program promises an enriching and captivating cinematic journey.

Features:

Drowned Land – by Colleen Thurston – US/Choctaw Nation

Remaining Native – by Paige Bethmann – US

Free Leonard Peltier – by Jesse Short Bull and David France – US

Tinā – Miki Magasiva – Aotearoa

Ka Whawhai Tonu (Struggles Without End) – Mike Jonathan – Aotearoa 

Medicine Circle: Indigenous Stories of Return (shorts)

  • Red-Shaded Green by Johannes Vang (Sámi) – 4 min – Documentary – Sápmi (Norway) – 2025
  • In My Hand by by Marja Helander (Sámi), Liselotte Wajstedt (Sámi) – 24 min – Experimental/Documentary – Sápmi (Sweden, Norway, Finland) – 2025
  • This is a Story About Salmon by Princess Daazhraii Johnson (Neets’aii Gwich’in) – 5 min – Documentary – Alaska – 2025
  • Munkha by Alexander Moruo (Yakut), Markel Martynov – 11 min – Animation – Russia – 2024
  • Civilized by Marc Fussing Rosbach (Inuk) – 5 min – Experimental – Greenland – 2025
  • Inkwo for When the Starving Return by Amanda Strong (Red River Michif/Métis) – 19 min – Animation – Canada – 2024

Additional Shorts

Pow! – by Joey Clift – US

The Great Cherokee Grandmother – by Anthony Sneed – US

Field Recording – US

Waska: The Forest Is My Family – by Nina Gualinga – Ecuador  

Tiger – by Loren Waters – US

Saturn Rising – by Tiare Ribeaux – US

Dear Aloha – by Cris Romento – US

You can discover a packed lineup of panels, workshops, and career growth events at siff.net by simply clicking through.

About 4th World Media

4th World Media is an organization that prioritizes media justice, rooted in the values of self-determined storytelling and comprehensive support. It is led by a matriarch figure.

4th World Media, founded after a decade of nurturing and connecting Indigenous filmmakers through the 4th World Media Lab, is now ready to extend its support to other filmmakers from diverse intersections across various genres. Our primary focus lies in providing a holistic approach for each filmmaker, with special attention given to post-production, distribution, and impact campaigns. We are particularly committed to amplifying the voices and projects of Indigenous filmmakers, aiming to uplift their work and contributions.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I recently had the privilege of delving into “4th World,” a thought-provoking narrative that resonates deeply with me. This concept was beautifully woven by a Coast Salish Elder, painting a picture of a troubled Earth seeking solace and healing.

The story unfolds in a world where our planet is in distress, and it is the powerful Indigenous storytelling that serves as the remedy for global mending. The “4th World Media” experience has been meticulously crafted to amplify the voices and perspectives of the Indigenous, Black, Brown, and Queer communities.

Through artist mentorship, immersion in industry events, and project development, this initiative provides a nurturing environment for these voices to flourish. It offers a sanctuary where stories are shared that contribute to our collective vision of a brighter tomorrow.

In essence, “4th World” is more than just a movie; it’s a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of storytelling in bringing about change, and a call to action for all of us to contribute to a better future.

4th World Media’s work is grounded in the conviction that when storytellers from historically underrepresented groups are provided with essential resources like care, community, financial support, and guidance, they become empowered to influence a significant transformation within our current media narrative, contributing positively to both Earth’s preservation and the well-being of all life forms on our planet. This perspective was articulated by Tracy Rector, one of the co-founders of 4th World Media.

As a passionate movie enthusiast roaming from the Pacific Northwest to Nevada, Oklahoma, and New York, my mission is clear: I aim to support traditional storytellers and artists scattered all over Turtle Island (a term representing the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico). These creators are weaving stories that nurture fresh viewpoints, cultivate a deeper understanding, and foster mutual solidarity among artists from the Global Majority and the LGBTQIA+ community. My ultimate goal is to make a significant mark on the global media landscape by promoting these narratives that resonate with our shared world’s healing process.

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2025-04-18 19:38

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