Native youth film festival will showcase videos on health issues

On May 21 the Native CHAT Film Festival will screen films created by Native youth (ages 11 – 20) from around Minnesota. In the films, youth share their perspective on HIV/AIDS, culture and health, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other issues that affect the communities where they live.  

The film festival sent out a call for films made by youth and offered prizes for films in different categories. A filmmaking workshop led by Migizi Communications was also held at the Upper Sioux community to help the local youth create films that could be submitted to the Native CHAT Film Festival.  

During the festival films will be judged by a panel of judges, with awards given to the top 3 films in each of the 3 categories. Films will also be judged by the viewers present at the festival.

Native CHAT stands for Curbing HIV/AIDS Transmission and is a Native youth program funded by the Office of Minority Health that addresses substance abuse and HIV prevention using a peer education model.   

The CHAT program works to increase awareness of the major health problems of racial and ethnic minorities and factors that influence health.

The Native CHAT Youth Film Festival will take place at Augsburg College, The Sateren Auditorium, 715 22nd Ave S, Minneapolis.

Native CHAT Film Festival schedule for May 21st:

•  10:00 am – noon: HIV testing in classrooms M4, M22, M24, in the Music Building.
•  10:00 am -12:30 pm: Registration in front of Sateren Atrium, Music Building.
•  10:30-11:45 am: Screening of Navajo Boy in Sateren Auditorium, Music Building.
•  12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch in East Commons, Christensen Center (deli sandwich buffet).
•  1:00-4:00 pm: HIV Testing in classrooms M4, M22, M23, M24, Music Building.
•  1:00-2:00 pm: Opening Ceremony, Key Note Speaker, Sateren Auditorium, Music Building.
•  2:00-4:00 pm: Screening Youth Films, Sateren Auditorium
•  4:00-5:00 pm: Breakout Sessions: HIV 101, Media Justice, Cultural Workshop, Acting Workshop, in rooms M4, M22, M24, and Sateren Auditorium, Music Building.
•  5:00-6:00 pm: HIV testing in classrooms M4, M22, M23, M24, Music Building.
•  5:00-6:00 pm: Dinner in East Commons, Christensen Center (buffet).
•  6:00-7:00 pm: Award Ceremony, Sateren Auditorium.
•  7:00-7:30 pm: Closing Ceremony.
•  7:30-8:00 pm: Point of Contact Concert (featuring Tall Paul and G. Malicious).
•  8:00-9:00 pm: Chase Manhattan Concert (concert ticket with HIV test).