3rd Annual Sarasota Native American Film Festival

The 3rd Annual Sarasota Native American Film Festival (SNAFF) took place from September 9 to September 15, 2022, in a hybrid format combining in-person and online events. The free festival, based in Sarasota, Florida, focused on cinematic works that explore the experiences of Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas.

Produced by the Sarasota Film Festival and the Boxser Diversity Initiative (BDI), in collaboration with the Native Reel Cinema Festival, SNAFF featured over 25 films and experiences highlighting Native American art, music, and history. This year’s program shed light on the culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and addressed critical issues such as the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Among the featured films were Rez Metal, the story of a Navajo heavy metal band; Seven Ridges, the first feature drama produced in the Seri language; and Changer: A Hand Telling, an innovative film featuring Deaf Native storytellers performing Salish origin stories.

Documentaries such as Bring Her Home and Somebody’s Daughter focused on the urgent issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, while Modoc Nation: An Untold Story of Survival recounted the tragic yet inspiring history of the Modoc people. The festival also showcased a collection of short films from the 2022 Sundance Institute Indigenous Short Film Tour.

Live events highlighted Seminole musician Doc Native, an MTV VMA Award winner, who performed during the festival, along with live painting by noted Seminole artist Wilson Bowers.

Engaging conversations included a talk by Diné filmmaker Shaandiin Tome, recognized as one of Marie Claire’s Top 21 Creators to Watch in 2022, and a panel discussion on the history of the Seminole Tribe featuring filmmaker and cultural ambassador Everett Osceola and New College Anthropology Professor Uzi Baram.

In-person screenings and events were held at New College's Sainer Pavilion on September 9 and 10, while the online showcase ran through September 15, making the festival accessible to a broad audience.

Festival organizers expressed enthusiasm about deepening the community’s connection to Native and Indigenous culture through this immersive cultural experience.