Film festival stalwart; 'Te Ata' earning high praise

CONTRIBUTED BY Dana Lance, Media Relations.

This article appeared in the December 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

ORLANDO, Fla. – The acclaimed Chickasaw Nation-produced film “Te Ata” is receiving recognition across the country.

The movie, based on the inspirational true story of Chickasaw storyteller Mary Thompson Fisher, was recently named “Best Picture” at the 11th annual Orlando Film Festival. “Te Ata” has also reaped awards at the Heartland Film Festival, Gallup Film Festival, American Indian Film Festival, San Diego Film Festival, and Tulsa American Film Festival.

“Te Ata” shares the remarkable life of the Chickasaw storyteller best known by her stage name, Te Ata, “bearer of the morning.”

The film follows Te Ata’s life as she traverses cultural barriers and helps change public perceptions of Native America. Her storied career spanned the 1920s through the 1980s.

“Te Ata’s” cast includes Q’orianka Kilcher  as Te Ata; Gil Birmingham as Te Ata’s father, Thomas Benjamin (T.B.) Thompson; Oscar-nominee Graham Greene plays Chickasaw Gov. Douglas H. Johnston; Brigid Brannagh is Te Ata’s mother; and MacKenzie Astin  portrays Te Ata’s husband, renowned scientist Dr. Clyde Fisher.

The film opened the Orlando Film Festival Oct. 19. An Oct. 23 encore screening Sunday was at Cobb Plaza Cinema Cafe in downtown Orlando.

“Te Ata” producer Paul Sirmons, director Nathan Frankowski, content producer and writer Jeannie Barbour and production designer Andrew White hosted a question-and-answer session with more than 100 members of the audience.

“The crowd was very enthusiastic about the film,” Ms. Barbour said. “It’s always great to sit with the audience to listen for reaction to the various scenes. Every audience is different in their response. But all have been positive, and so was the Orlando crowd. It makes me feel like we have done something very special with this film.

“People have connected with its story.”

Associate producer Angela Owen, along with several members of the cast and crew, also attended the screening.

“Te Ata” production designer Andrew White accepted the “Best Picture” award on behalf of the production team during the Oct. 23 closing ceremonies.

More than 320 films, plus 63 features and 261 short films, were selected for screening at the Orlando Film Festival.

Audience Choice - Heartland Award

“Te Ata” was also selected as Audience Choice Award Winner, Narrative Feature, at the 25th annual Heartland Film Festival, Oct. 20-30 in Indianapolis. Audience members voted “Te Ata” the top award winner in the narrative feature category.

Heartland Film is a curator and supporter of purposeful filmmaking, honoring a wide variety of cinema and awarding storytellers from all over the world.

Gallup Awards

“Te Ata” was honored recently with several awards at the Gallup (New Mexico) Film Festival, Sept. 16-18. Awards included Audience Choice Award-Best Drama Feature; Best Cinematography; Best Screenplay; Best Male Performance, Gil Birmingham; and Best Original Music.

The Gallup Film Festival showcases and promotes exceptional films to the entertainment industry.

American Indian Film Festival Awards

Mr. Frankowski earned “Best Director” honors for his work on “Te Ata” during November’s 41st Annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco.

Mr. Birmingham garnered “Best Actor” awards at the festival’s Nov. 11 awards ceremony.

“Te Ata” was nominated for “Best Film,” Graham Green was nominated for “Best Actor” and Q’orianka Kilcher was honored with a “Best Actress” nomination.

The movie screened Nov. 10 during the festival’s closing night.

The American Indian Film Festival is hosted by the American Indian Film Institute. The institute fosters understanding of the culture, traditions and contemporary issues of Native Americans. The festival is the world’s oldest and best known exposition dedicated to Native Americans in cinema. Since its inaugural year the film festival has screened more than 3,100 native films.

Best Native American Film, San Diego Film Festival

“Te Ata” earned the Kumeyaay Eagle Award for “Best Native American Film” at the San Diego Film Festival Oct. 2. A jury of critics chose the film for the award. The movie was one of 100 films screened at the festival, from more than 2,000 submissions.

Apache artist and actor Ruben Chato crafted the Golden Eagle Film Award, which was presented during the ceremony.

Tulsa American Film Festival

Q’orianka Kilcher was honored as “Best Feature Film Actress” for her portrayal of “Te Ata” during the Oct. 12-16 Tulsa American Film Festival.

The Tulsa American Film Festival features independent works, with special focus on Native American, Latino, Oklahoma-based and student filmmakers.

For more information about “Te Ata” the movie, visit TeAtaMovie.com, Facebook page facebook.com/TeAtaMovie or “@TeAtaMovie” on Twitter and 

Instagram. Connect with “Te Ata” social media on all platforms 
using #TeAtaMovie.