Stories I Didn’t Know was selected to screen at Moldox International Documentary Film Festival for Social Change on September 10 in the small country of Moldova in Eastern Europe. We are excited to bring the film to this corner of the world !
Recommended articles Vol.1 /
We’ve been keeping an eye for articles that reflect some of the themes and topics raised in our documentary such as land issues, restoring land, restitution, restorative justice and rewriting history books. Keep checking here and on our social media for more articles we recommend reading.
Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Affirms Native American Rights in Oklahoma
- The New York Times
A 5-4 decision declaring that much of eastern Oklahoma is an Indian reservation could reshape criminal justice in the area by preventing state authorities from prosecuting Native Americans.
Court Orders Dakota Access Pipeline To Shut Down Pending Environmental Review
- Forbes
Three years after the Dakota Access pipeline first started carrying oil, a federal judge ordered Monday that the pipeline must be shut down during a court-ordered environmental review that is necessary because the U.S. government violated federal environmental law, in a decision seen as a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and a defeat for the oil industry and President Donald Trump, who backed it in 2017.
BIA Signs Reservation Proclamation, Adds 222 Acres to Shakopee Reservation
- Native News Online
The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced Wednesday that it signed reservation proclamations for two parcels of land for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota under the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).
Irish Return an Old Favor, Helping Native Americans Battling the Virus
- The New York Times
In 1847 the Choctaw people sent $170 to help during the potato famine. Irish donors are citing that gesture as they help two tribes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BEST OF FEST at MSPIFF39 /
We are thrilled to be one of the 10 films showing at the BEST OF FEST - MSPIFF 39 Redefined.
If you missed our documentary during the festival’s virtual edition, you have the chance to watch it again starting Thursday, June 25. You will have 24 hours to finish watching the movie once you start viewing and must start watching the film by Sunday, June 28 at 11:59 pm in order to finish before the end of the screening engagement. Virtual seats are limited, so reserve a ticket down below:
Screenshot from the MSP Film Society website
#JusticeForGeorge /
As many of you know, our documentary was produced and filmed in Minnesota. Most of our team lives within a few miles of the street where George Floyd was killed while in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers. We honor his life, stand with the demand for justice, and commit to doing the work of dismantling the institutional racism that runs our cities, state and country.
It’s hard to find the right words to communicate right now because we are all hurting. That’s one reason we make films. We know that film has the power to create space for vital discourse, which is needed now more than ever. We made Stories I Didn’t Know to spark conversations and open up a dialogue about issues that are difficult to discuss including land theft, genocide, slavery and generational trauma. When the time is right, we do hope our documentary can be an avenue for conversation, mobilization and, ultimately, action.
Frederick Douglas’ words ring true today: “Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning; they want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. The struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, or it may be both. But it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
We will soon be posting a list of organizations seeking urgent donations for emergency food, supplies and help for rebuilding. It’s a long road ahead and we plan to be part of it every step of the way.
EDIT: find the organizations below the picture.
#JusticeForGeorge
- Rita Davern and Melody Gilbert, directors Stories I Didn’t Know
Photograph: Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times
Want to help rebuild?
The following organizations and community projects are helping to rebuild the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities hit hardest by the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd. Your donation will make a big difference. (Thanks to the Support The Cities project for identifying some of the resources below.) https://www.supportthecities.com
Du Nord Riot Recovery Fund - Du Nord Craft Spirits is a Black-owned distillery with a building that was damaged. This fund supports black and brown companies affected by the riots.
Joyce Preschool - emergency fund for families who had to evacuate their homes near Lake Street last week, and who are now coming back to a devastated neighborhood with no grocery stores within walking distance.
Lake Street East African Worker Recovery Fund - Business owners have raised millions to rebuild, but workers have no recourse until then. The Awood Center is raising money to provide aid to hundreds of workers until they can return to their jobs.
Migizi Communications - MIGIZI Communications advances a message of success, well-being and justice for the American Indian community. Support them rebuilding after fire.
Northside business support - support businesses on Minneapolis’s Northside that have been impacted by recent demonstrations.
Pimento Relief Fund - We’re partnering with Pimento to provide black business without insurance relief after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests.
West Broadway Business and Area Coalition - WBC in partnership with Northside Funders Group will direct all donations to support Northside businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 and the recent uprising.
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/rebuild-african-immigrant-businesses
What a premiere! /
We’ve had a fantastic premiere at Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Stories I Didn’t Know sold out TWICE and so many people have reached out to us with lovely messages of support and post screening reactions. Our 45 minutes Q&A on Sunday, May 17 was attended by approximately 170 viewers and we’ve received so many questions and thoughtful messages that we are still going through them. If you missed our Q&A you can still watch it below:
Here you can read a couple of the wonderful messages, our audience sent us:
“It is beautiful and powerful, and so vulnerable and the stuff that healing is made of.”
“This was a beautiful and powerful film. The compassion of Rita and Ramona Kitto Stately as they shared and heard each other’s stories, and Rita’s willingness to recognize her priveledge and learn more by reaching out to others was amazing. It provides a path for all of us.”
“A powerful film about history, generational trauma, and the importance of actions to extend and recieve healing.”
On the closing day of the festival, May 23rd we were ranked number 1 for Audience Award at MSPIFF39! The final votes are still being tallied but we will let you know if we won as soon as we hear ! Such an honor to be #1 best documentary only after a week of voting. Follow us on our social media channels for more news. (Facebook Twitter and Instagram ).
Listen to the interview the directors of the film gave One Week Only, a podcast about independent & international cinema.
Screenshot: LIVE Q&A with directors Rita Davern and Melody Gilbert and film’s subjects Ramona Kitto Stately & Reuben Kitto Stately. Q&A was moderated by Craig Rice, MSPIFF programmer.
Screening and LIVE Q&A at MSPIFF39 with film directors and film’s subjects /
We are looking forward to share our film with you and have a conversation afterwards about it.
You are now able to purchase tickets to our screening at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival that will will be available from Sunday, May 17 2PM until Saturday, May 23 11:59PM.
Purchase tickets here:
* Only people with a MN billing address are able to purchase tickets and watch the film at this time
Also, you can now register for the free LIVE Q&A with directors Rita Davern and Melody Gilbert and the film’s subjects that will take place on Sunday, May 17 5PM via Zoom.
MSPIFF Redefined and our virtual world premiere /
Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival has moved online and is now called "MSPIFF Redefined.”
Stories I Didn’t Know was selected to premiere at the festival and despite the current world situation we are holding our premiere virtually on Sunday, May 17th. The screening will start at 2pm, and the live Q & A will be at 5pm.
Tickets will be available for purchase on the festival website starting on May 15th here: mspfilm.org/festivals/mspiff
Take a peek below at our MSPIFF programming note:
Official Selection Minnesota St. Paul International Film Festival /
Our premiere has been delayed. Check back for future screenings. Film festival rescheduled due to COVID19.
We are delighted to announce our World Premiere at the Minnesota St. Paul International Film Festival in April as part of the Minnesota Made Films section. Read the entire press release HERE
