October 14, 2014

For Immediate Release:

Film Festival Founder to Be Honored
by Vision Maker Media


(Lincoln, Neb.): Two gentlemen who have been instrumental in changing the media landscape for American Indians and Alaska Natives will be honored by the Vision Maker Media Board of Directors, Thursday, November 13, 2014, at a ceremony at the San Diego Hard Rock Hotel.

Michael Smith (Sioux), founder of the American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) will receive the First Annual Frank Blythe Award for Media Excellence.

Frank Blythe (Eastern Band of Cherokee/Sisseton/Wahpeton Dakota) is the founding executive director of what is now Vision Maker Media. What began as a membership service for public television stations to broadcast Native American content, its first name was Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium in 1976. He led the organization until he retired in 2006.

Vision Maker Media's Board of Director's Chair, Brian Bull (Nez Perce), said the Board unanimously approved the creation of the award earlier this year, with the purpose of recognizing an individual or organization for their outstanding contributions in advancing opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the media.

"Naming this award for our founder will allow Frank's legacy to continue for generations," Bull said, "and Michael Smith was a clear choice for the first award."

AIFI is celebrating its 49th year of presenting the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, Calif.

"The festival has brought much needed national recognition to Native media makers," Vision Maker Media executive director Shirley Sneve (Rosebud Sioux) said. "Its impact is increased with the youth media projects that Mike has developed."

The ceremony will be at the Hard Rock Hotel-San Diego, 207 5th Ave., beginning at 6 p.m. The reception will also feature a screening of a new documentary for PBS, Across the Creek, with filmmaker Jonny Cournoyer (Rosebud Sioux) in attendance. 

Pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Please visit, http://tinyurl.com/hardrocksd to RSVP.

Vision Maker Media shares Native stories with the world that represent the cultures, experiences, and values of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Founded in 1977, Vision Maker Media, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) which receives major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, nurtures creativity for development of new projects, partnerships, and funding. Vision Maker Media is the premier source for quality Native American and Pacific Islander educational and home videos. All aspects of our programs encourage the involvement of young people to learn more about careers in the media--to be the next generation of storytellers. Located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we offer student employment and internships. For more information, visit www.visionmakermedia.org
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Contact:
Jessica Kinser, Marketing Director
Vision Maker Media
[email protected] | 402-472-8607
 

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