By Colleen Thurston
Following the success of its inaugural gathering in Summer 2025, the Native Lens Symposium will return June 13–14, 2026 at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, bringing together Indigenous filmmakers, creatives, and industry professionals from across Colorado and throughout Indian Country for two days of career development, mentorship, film screenings, and workshops.
Hosted in the Vallecito Room at the Student Union, the symposium is free to attend with preregistration, and meals will be provided for participants.
The first Native Lens Symposium was created to strengthen a supportive community of Indigenous filmmakers, while providing aspiring and active film professionals with educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and industry connections. The 2026 symposium continues that mission by expanding opportunities for networking, artistic development, and practical career training.
The 2026 symposium will feature film professionals from across Indian Country presenting educational sessions, networking opportunities, and community conversations designed to support filmmakers at all stages of their careers.
Symposium highlights include:
Developing Your Short Film: From Concept to Execution
Writer and director Brooke Pepion Swaney (Blackfeet/Salish) will guide participants through the creative development process behind several of her acclaimed short films, including OK Breathe, Auralee (Sundance), Lily Gladstone: Far Out There (Firelight Media/PBS American Masters), and additional projects currently in development. The session will explore how filmmakers transform an idea into a completed film ready for audiences and festivals.
Building Your Business: Legal & Financial Deep Dive
This professional development workshop will focus on the business side of filmmaking, covering topics such as LLCs and business formation, contracts and intellectual property protection, budgeting and tax considerations, grant compliance and reporting, financial sustainability for freelance creatives.
Resident Alien Screening + Panel
The symposium will host a special screening and panel discussion featuring writer/director Alexandra Lazarovich (Cree) alongside additional crew members from the hit television series Resident Alien. Attendees will also experience a live special effects and makeup demonstration led by Resident Alien makeup artist Cayley Giene.
Additional sessions will focus on finding funding and support, discussions on the use of AI in filmmaking, and screenings of Indigenous-made films.
The Native Lens Symposium is generously sponsored by the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media.
Event Details
Native Lens Symposium 2026, June 13–14, 2026
Fort Lewis College — Vallecito Room at the Student Union, Durango, Colorado
Admission is free with pre-registration. Meals included.
Registration and additional information are available at: https://nativelens.org/native-lens-symposium/
About Native Lens
Native Lens is a collaborative film and video project hosted by KSUT Tribal Media Center and Rocky Mountain PBS. The project provides training initiatives and showcases films produced by Indigenous peoples in North America. By sharing firsthand Native perspectives, Native Lens works to amplify Indigenous voices through storytelling.
Colleen Thurston is Project Producer, Native Lens.