Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts Film Festival

We’re proud to announce the 2025 Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts Film Festival

We are honored to have students films representing the next generation of storytellers.

WHO WE ARE: NDN Student Academy for Cinematic Arts is the largest Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts in the country and the first Native Indigenous Student film festival in Los Angeles.

2025 FESTIVAL | This year’s festival will include screenings (ticket), Awards Ceremony and free virtual events dedicated to increasing the visibility of Native Indigenous Student storytellers in the entertainment landscape.

23 Films Directed by Students from the U.S. (18), Canada (1), Mexico (2), Columbia (1) and New Zealand (1).

#NativesInChargeOfTheirNarrative #NotTodayColonizer

Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors for Your Generous Support

Community Partners

Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts Film Festival Trailer

Doc Shorts

Live Action

Retrospectives

2024 Student Academy Winners

Doc Short

Live Action

Animation

The Native Indigenous Student Academy of Cinematic Arts is an international student academy of excellence in film competition, first established in 1995 with the name Native Youth Matter – If I Can See It I Can Be It. Since 1995, Native and Indigenous students have always been included in the submission process for RNCI program ‘Red Nation International Film Festival’ however in 2021, RNCI Board of Directors recognized the need that these students needed their own stand alone film festival and awards ceremony.