December 4, 2014

For Immediate Release:

Interactive Native Stories Developed at 
Tribeca Hacks <NDN Country>
Vision Maker Media Assistant Director Georgiana Lee (Din�) and Tribeca Film Institute's Opeyemi Olukemi discuss Team 1's (Feather Metsch, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians; Ras K'dee, Pomo/African; Leo Vicenti, Jicarilla Apache; Dwayne Joe (Din�); and Paul Beccio, Isleta Pueblo) interactive storyboard for "Coyote & Eagle" at Tribeca Hacks.
Photo courtesy of Amelie Leenhardt.

(Lincoln, Neb.): Three teams of storytellers developed innovative projects using technology at Tribeca Hacks <NDN Country>. In partnership with Vision Maker Media, Tribeca Film Institute�, the Institute of American Indian Arts, and New Mexico PBS, the Hackathon featured creative talent from across the U.S., November 21-23, 2014, in Santa Fe, N.M., and focused on Indigenous education, art, history, and environment.

<NDN Country> is one of many Hackathons supported by the Tribeca Film Institute� around the world to increase understanding and broaden participation in the field of interactive storytelling. These workshops give creative media artists the insight and skills to develop robust interactive prototypes or projects that effectively engage with audiences. Additionally, they provide the talent a chance to experiment with new tools and the latest technologies. These workshops provide heavy emphasis on showcasing innovation in this field for artists, funders, and the public. The primary goal of the Hackathon is to build new relationships amongst the creative talent involved.

"I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated by the talent in this room," said Darrick Baxter (Marten Falls First Nation), an app developer for team "Nawadiniwe." "Our team chose to create an iPad and Android app that told the painful story of a Native American family in boarding schools. It is a project that I hold dear to my heart."

"Tribeca Hacks <NDN Country> offered us the opportunity to work collaboratively on Native-centered stories in a new way. Not only did I find incredible creatives to design with, but I recognized the potential doors Tribeca Hacks <NDN Country> opened for immersive, Native stories to be shared globally across media platforms," said Patricia Antelles (Abiquiu, New Mexico), a technologist and new media interface designer for team "Nizhoni's Kinaalda."

Vision Maker Media has supported Native filmmakers through funding and training opportunities to tell their stories through the form of non-fiction programming on Public Television. One of Vision Maker Media's goals in hosting the Hackathon was to encourage Native filmmakers and storytellers to consider building interactive storytelling around their programs.

"We have started to see interactive storytelling through mobile devices and other technologies contributing beyond television broadcasts--allowing us to focus on the potential for Indian Country to play a larger role in this interactive landscape," said Georgiana Lee (Din�), assistant director for Vision Maker Media.

For a full list of participants and a list of the technologies utilized in the creation of each project, please visit:
Tribeca Film Institute� and Vision Maker Media are now entering collaborations to host another Hackathon in 2015. Sign-up for Vision Maker Media's Producer News at visionmakermedia.org/newsletter to be notified of upcoming opportunities such as Tribeca Hacks.

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

Tribeca Film Institute� (TFI) champions storytellers to be catalysts for change in their communities and around the world. Through grants and professional development programs, TFI supports a diverse, exceptional group of filmmakers and media artists, providing them resources needed to fully realize their stories and connect with audiences. The Institute's educational programming leverages an extensive film community network to help underserved New York City students learn filmmaking and gain the media skills necessary to be productive citizens and creative individuals in the 21st century. Featuring hands-on training and exposure to socially relevant films, the Institute administers programs to more than 25,000 students annually.  TFI was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11, 2001, and is a 501(c)(3) year-round nonprofit arts organization. For more information, visit www.tribecafilminstitute.org
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Jessica Rustad, Marketing Director
Vision Maker Media
[email protected] | 402-472-8607
 

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