Live via Zoom

Admission is free. RSVP HERE

DESCRIPTION:
In conjunction with the 14th annual LA SKINS FEST, this program will showcase five spirited and noteworthy short films by indigenous filmmakers. The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by USC School of Cinematic Arts MFA candidate Kapena Baptista.

Program:
Viva Diva (Directed by Daniel Flores. Running Time: 15 min.)
Rozene and Diva are partners on a road trip to get their gender affirmation surgeries. When Diva has trouble reconciling she has HIV, Rozene comforts her with humor.

Mud (Hashtl’ishnii) (Directed by Shaandiin Tome. Running Time: 11 min.)
A woman craves for connection with her son but is hindered by alcoholism.

Chickens (Directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. Running Time: 13 min.)
Two racist cops try to cover up killing an unarmed Black teen, but things don’t go as planned.

Lycanphobic (Directed by Siena East. Running Time: 13 min.)
When Sandy finds out her almost boyfriend is a werewolf, she questions his fidelity. Is he having sex with dogs?

Hae Hawai'i (Directed by Ty Sanga. Running Time: 17 min.)
Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, loyalists to the crown protect what is left of their dissolving kingdom. They recruit a young thief to safeguard the unifying symbol of the people. 

Bios:
Kapena Baptista is a composer, ethnomusicologist, and indigenous advocate from Los Angeles. After graduating cum laude in music and anthropology from Harvard University in 2016, Kapena was named an inaugural Generation Indigenous Fellow through the Center for Native American Youth. Kapena is currently an MFA candidate at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. 

Siena East is a Los Angeles–based writer, comedian, and actress who studied film and television production at New York University. In 2018, Siena was a part of the third LA Skins Television Writers’ lab. As a comedian, she has performed at the Kibitz Room, UCB, Comedy Union, The Ruby, Teatro de Luna, and ACME NoHo. 

Daniel Flores is an Outset Fellow and Sundance Native Lab alumni, and Viva Diva is their third short film vivifying trans characters. Flores aspires to tell stories that can impact audiences and offer perspective on the breadth of gender experience. 

Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. created the brand “Alternative Horror” in 2016, infusing current events into his horror films to highlight touchy issues in American culture through a unique lens. He believes that people should come to the movies for thrills and leave with new insight. 

Born and raised on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, Ty Sanga studied film production at Chapman University and ethnic studies at the University of Hawaii. He is director of the Emmy Award–winning television documentary series Family Ingredients. 

Shaandiin Tome is a filmmaker and director from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her breakout short film, Mud (Hashtł’ishnii), which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, received awards from the Montana Independent Film Festival, Présence Autochtone (Montreal), LA Skins Fest, and New Filmmakers Los Angeles.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and LA SKINS FEST.