Everett Osceola discusses interest in film industry, background of cinema festival Arts & Entertainment Community by Calvin Tiger - October 8, 2024October 8, 2024 Everett Osceola discusses his interest and background in Native cinema on a Hoporenkv Native American Podcast with host Brooke Warrington. HOLLYWOOD – The Native Learning Center’s Hoporenkv Native American Podcast recently featured special guest Everett Osceola in a program titled “A Celebration of Native American Voices inFilm.” In the nearly 90-minute episode, Osceola, the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s film liaison and cultural ambassador, discussed how he developed his passion for films, acting and film making. In 2014, he started the Native Reel Cinema Festival, which is held during the annual Seminole Tribal Fair and Powwow, to highlight the influence of Indigenous people in film. During the podcast hosted by Brooke Warrington, Osceola talked about the support he received from various tribal members including Ollie Wareham, Doc Native, Spencer Battiest and Native actor and filmmaker Steven Paul Judd. Osceola said in the podcast he was initially hesitant to screen his first Native short film in 2016 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. He didn’t think the short film idea would gain much attention, however, shortly thereafter, long lines formed to watch a second viewing, which helped him to keep the film festival alive. Over the years, he has brought more Native short films to Tribal Fair and reached out to more Native actors and filmmakers to be part of the Native Reel Cinema Festival. Osceola’s interest in films started with “Star Wars,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and martial art movies, including Bruce Lee and samurai movies. This opened Osceola’s view for different films which began with the Indigenous movie “Once Were Warriors,” which increased Osceola’s interest in Native films and acting. “I got to see in other Indigenous tribes on the other side of the world going through the same things we were. Going through alcoholism, domestic violence, culture identify, coming back to your culture,” Osceola said. Osceola talked about his experience growing up in the 1980s and 1990s and seeing how Native Americans were portrayed and stereotyped in films. This led to a hiatus in Osceola’s acting career. “We needed to be portrayed in a very modern light,” Osceola said. One of the films that Osceola enjoyed included a new portrayal of a character by a Native actor. Wes Studi starred in the movie “Heat” with actors Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. After watching the movie and Studi’s performance, Osceola was inspired to get back into acting. “He wasn’t wearing turquoise, he wasn’t named Tonto, you know he was just a regular guy right next to Al Pacino,” Osceola said. “A Celebration of Native American Voices in Film” podcast is available on several plaforms, including Apple Podcast and YouTube. Go to nativelearningcenter.com for more information. Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share