American Indian Film Festival

333 Valencia St. Suite 322
94103 San Francisco, CA

Telefon:  +14 15 554 0525
Telefax:  +14 15 554 0542
E-mail:  aifi@aifisf.com

Info

The American Indian Film Festival endeavors to promote and cherish the culture of native Americans. It is a non-profit media art center.

Its origin can be traced back to 1975, when the first American Indian film festival was held in Seattle. In 1977, the festival was relocated to San Francisco, where it found its permanent home. The AIFF started functioning in 1979. The late actor, Will Sampson of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” was one of its founders.

Today it is one of the oldest and most recognized International film festivals. It encourages native film makers to bring to the forefront, their creative ideas and view points and to strive for true to life representation of Indians in the media.

According to AIFI President Michael Smith, the Tribal Touring Program is "a bridge to our communities especially bringing media technology to our youth. Our youth retain their tribal stories by placing digital video cameras, sound, lighting equipment and computers/Final Cut 5 in their hands, we empower youth to embrace media and continue to create a wider perspective, content, and marketplace for shaping and defining our contemporary Indian way of life." ICE is a quarterly film journal that aims at community development and strives to bridge gaps between various communities.