LA Skins Fest

Youth Media and Tech Workshop Overview
2009-06-08 08:00 - 2022-11-20 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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Since 2009, the Native American Youth Media and Tech Workshop has travelled to reservations and urban centers across the world to provide an expansive and comprehensive program that provides new access for our community. Every year, we expand the workshop to include new curriculum, new technology and new equipment.
Our multimedia curriculum includes short film production that reflect the community and current issues effecting the youth participants. This entails the development and creation of documentaries, scripted narratives and PSA’s produced entirely by the young filmmakers. Curriculum includes learning proper camera operation, on-set sound recording, directing actors, lighting scenes, editing and music composition. The youth present their final pieces to their community at the conclusion of the workshop.

In 2019, we launched the Native Youth Animation Workshop. This program offers hands on instruction in 3-D animation software, 2-D animation drawn by hand and stop-motion animation. The workshop also provides tours of animation and visual effects studios. This initiative is meant to provide Native youth with the inspiration to explore animation as a viable opportunity and career path. This program has partnered with numerous studios and networks to offer genuine access.

In 2021, we created the Native Youth Virtual Reality Workshop. This program introduces cutting edge virtual reality applications and video production to Native youth. The workshop teaches new technology to Native youth so they can have every opportunity available in new technology. This program provides an in-depth look into the possibilities virtual reality provides our community. Our organization has partnered with the most high profile tech companies to provide this program. Check out some stills and vids here!

The entire program culminates with the Native Youth Multimedia Weekend in November. This has youth from all of our programs attend our annual film festival at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This initiative has youth participants from several reservations and communities attend studio tours, production workshops, film screenings and attendance to the Native American Media Awards.
Check Out Our Past and Current Workshops!
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

Sponsors:

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Meta

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National Endowment for the Arts

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Los Angeles County Arts & Culture

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San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

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United Talent Agency

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Comcast NBCUniversal

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Sony Pictures Entertainment

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Sony Electronics

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Verizon

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California Humanities

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Union Bank

2009 Native Youth Media and Tech Workshops
2009-06-28 08:00 - 2022-05-10 17:00
Since 2009, we have taught film workshops to youth at reservations and Native American urban centers throughout the United States and Canada. The participating youth learn about writing, directing, shooting and editing their own movies. Equally important, the youth present these films to their tribal communities and speak before an audience. Check out images from our first Native youth cohort:

In 2009, we collaborated with Central High, a federally funded Native American High School located in downtown Los Angeles. We worked with over a dozen Native American youth who reside in Los Angeles. For the entire eight-day workshop, we brought the participating youth to the University of Southern California’s George Lucas School of Cinematic Arts. This was one of our sponsoring organizations that provided classrooms, computer labs, and production equipment. The youth produced narrative films and presented them at the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Riverside, California. Check out one of the films they produced during the week:

Showrunner Program
2020-11-18 08:00 - 2021-11-18 17:00
The Native American Showrunner program is a multi-month intensive designed to address the lack of Native American executive producers in television. The overall goal is to provide experienced Native American writers an opportunity to gain new skills and elevate their opportunities in the television writing industry.
This program will have selected Native American writers receive mentorship from a television executive producer throughout the year. The goal is to have each participant learn the path to producing a television series. The schedule will have each participant meet with their mentor several times a month to gain experience and receive creative feedback, career advice and potential referrals.
In addition, participants will author a new pilot and series bible with the artistic support of their respective mentors. Participants will also have group meetings with their fellows participants and showrunners from other television series. These components offer additional creative and business oriented opportunities.
Participants will also receive a small stipend, writing software and additional resources to help bolster their career.
Check out our inaugural and current fellows:
2020 Native American Showrunner Program Fellows
2021 Native American Showrunner Program Fellows
2022 Native American Showrunner Program Fellows
2023 Native American Showrunner Program Fellows
2024 Native American Showrunner Program Fellows
The inaugural Native American Showrunner Program was sponsored by Bad Robot, Comcast NBCUniversal, Topple Productions, Google American Indian Network, and Walt Disney Television.

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Bad Robot

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Comcast NBCUniversal

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Topple Productions

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Google American Indian Network

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Walt Disney Television

15th Annual LA SKINS FEST Call For Films
2021-04-16 08:00 - 2021-09-01 17:00
Entries are officially being accepted for the 15th Annual LA SKINS FEST presented by Comcast NBCUniversal. The festival takes place November 16th – 21st, 2021 in Hollywood, CA. Qualified filmmakers can submit their entries through filmfreeway.com.
Deadlines to submit are:
Early Deadline May 1st, 2021
Regular Deadline June 1st, 2021
Late Deadline July 1st, 2021
Final Deadline August 1st, 2021
Extended Deadline September 1st, 2021
The LA SKINS FEST will celebrate filmmakers whose original works are distinguished and offer a new voice in cinema. Films accepted in the festival will be eligible for the competition and prizes from our corporate sponsors. This year, awards will be given to the following categories: Achievement in Narrative Filmmaking, Documentary, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animation, Writer, Director, Actor, Actress and Audience Award.
This festival celebrates our sixth year at the historic TCL Chinese Theater. The film festival will premier exciting new Indigenous films, provide the 9th Writers Pitch Fest, host Native American filmmakers from throughout North, Central and South America and present the 9th Annual Native Media Awards Celebration.
The Festival is an initiative of the Native American non-profit the Barcid Foundation and aims to showcase the rising talent in Native American filmmaking. This year the LA SKINS FEST is expanding the screening series to accommodate the growing talent in Indian Country.
Corporate support of the LA SKINS FEST plays an essential role in the life of the festival and emphasizes the festival’s commitment to quality, exploration, and excellence in the art of cinema, TV and new media. The Los Angeles Skins Fest is privileged to partner with some of the world’s most renowned entertainment brands this year; including Comcast NBCUniversal, Spectrum, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Bank of America, Bad Robot, Motion Picture Association, USC School of Cinematic Arts, USC Visions & Voices, Cast & Crew, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Entries must be by/or have a Native American/First Nation/Indigenous artist involved in the project (Please include tribal affiliation).
Films must NOT have other screenings scheduled in Los Angeles during November 2021. NO EXCEPTIONS.
We accept films made by non-Native American filmmakers but the films must be Native American themed.
Films must not be available on the Internet or have been broadcast nationally on cable or satellite television prior to the festival screening.
Works must be made within the past two years
Films in languages other than English with English subtitles will be accepted for consideration.

DEADLINES AND FEES:

Early Deadline: May 1st, 2021
Narrative Features $40
Documentary Feature $40
Animation Feature $40
Narrative Short $30
Documentary Short $30
Animation Short $40
Student Film $25
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Regular Deadline: June 1st, 2021
Narrative Features $55
Documentary Feature $55
Animation Feature $55
Narrative Short $45
Documentary Short $45
Animation Short $45
Student Film $35
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Late Submission July 1st, 2021
Narrative Features $70
Documentary Feature $70
Animation Feature $70
Narrative Short $60
Documentary Short $60
Animation Short $60
Student Film $45
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Final Submission August 1st, 2021
Narrative Features $80
Documentary Feature $80
Animation Feature $80
Narrative Short $70
Documentary Short $70
Animation Short $70
Student Film $55
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Extended Submission September 1st, 2021
Narrative Features $95
Documentary Feature $95
Animation Feature $95
Narrative Short $85
Documentary Short $85
Animation Feature $85
Student Film $70
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WHERE TO SUBMIT :

The LA SKINS FEST proudly accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, the world’s best online submission platform. FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more. Click on the icon below to submit through film freeway:

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS :

Completed online entry information through Filmfreeway.
A password protected preview of the film sent to us through Vimeo, Dropbox, or YouTube.
Two stills from the film (color preferred, B&W accepted).Digital stills and press kits are preferred.Stills must be hi-res.
One photo of the director
Full cast/crew list.
Film synopsis – 120 word logline/synopsis of the film and a 20 word logline/synopsis of film.Short films are only required to provide the 20 word logline.
Pay Submission Fee

***Please note that our festival does not pay screening fees for submitted films.

NOTIFICATION OF ENTRY STATUS :
Filmmakers will be notified in October 2021 as to whether or not their film has been officially selected. Upon acceptance the filmmaker will receive an email verifying selection status. Be sure to have contact@laskinsfest.com on your accepted email list.

COMPETITION :
The LA SKINS FEST will celebrate filmmakers whose original works is distinguished in their category.A pre-screening committee will select four finalists in each category after viewing all selected to be part of the competition.Awards will be given the following categories:

Best Narrative
Best Documentary
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation
Audience Award
Emerging Filmmaker
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Director
Best Writer

About The LA SKINS FEST
The prestigious Los Angeles Skins Fest ranks among the country’s best film festivals and is an annual gathering for film industry insiders, cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers, and critics. The LA Skins Fest is considered a major launching ground for Indian Country’s most talked about films. Founded in 2007, the Los Angeles Skins Fest, presented in the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, is a 6-day multicultural event celebrating the art of film, TV and new media. The Los Angeles Skins Fest’s long‐standing commitment is to join filmmakers and film connoisseurs together to experience great cinema. The exciting schedule consists of dozens of filmmakers presenting their newest works, special artist development programs, tributes to community leaders, special events, and remarkable films. Festival headquarters are in Los Angeles, CA.

2nd Annual Native American Showrunner Program - Fellows Selected
2021-05-18 - 2022-01-01
The Native American Media Alliance announced its selections for the 2nd Annual Native American Showrunner Program, sponsored by WarnerMedia, Bad Robot, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Cherokee Nation Film Office, in partnership with Kung Fu Monkey Productions.
“We are so proud to be supporting the Native American Media Alliance with this incredible program,” said Karen Horne, Senior Vice President, Equity and Inclusion, WarnerMedia. “Amplifying underrepresented voices is a major priority for our company, and the implementation of the Native American Showrunner Program is a key effort toward achieving that goal.”
The Native American Showrunner Program is a nine-month intensive that offers mentorship from television showrunners and series creators to experienced Native American writers. Program fellows take part in meetings with assigned showrunners who will offer guidance on furthering the fellows’ writing careers and to provide creative feedback on current projects. The program consists of one-on-one mentoring to develop the writers’ abilities, offer advice as it pertains to producing for television and overall insight into running a television series.
The Native American Showrunner Program is a unique initiative designed to propel experienced Native American writers to higher levels of television. This initiative continues the Native American MedIa Alliance’s drive for inclusion and focuses on new points of access for the Native American community. The fellowship is a direct extension of the Native American TV Writers Lab as it equips the next generation of Native American writers with the skills and professional network to break into the television producing positions.
The 2021 Native American Showrunner Program fellows:
Doane Tulugaq Avery
Jason Marcus
Carlee Malemute
The Native American Showrunner Program was created to expand the number of Native Americans working behind the camera to increase fair and accurate portrayals of Native Americans on television. Native Americans continue to maintain the lowest representation of writers on current television series.
In addition, participants will author a new pilot and series bible with the artistic support of their respective mentors. Participants will also have group meetings with their fellows participants and showrunners from other television series. These components offer additional creative and business oriented opportunities. Participants will also receive a small stipend, writing software and additional resources to help bolster their career.
Sponsored by

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WarnerMedia

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Comcast NBCUniversal

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Bad Robot

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