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Local filmmaker sharing spotlight at festival

Angelique Soenarie
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 7, 2007 01:07 PM

Doug Howard is creating his dream as a filmmaker.

Howard spent seven months shooting and editing his first film, Chief, a
short movie about a Native American who keeps his grandfather's promise by
saving the tribe's dam.

The Pima-Maricopa creator will feature his film at the American Indian Film
Institute's annual film tour June 13, 15 and 16 at the Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The three-day tour features films from across the nation, including
award-winning Native American films, promoted by San Francisco-based
institute, a non-profit media arts center founded in 1979 to foster
understanding of the culture, traditions and issues of contemporary Native
Americans.

"I wanted to portray a very atypical Native American character that one may
not be used to seeing in a movie. He's very angry. Basically, I kind of got
tired of how Native Americans are portrayed in movies. Usually it's someone
to be sympathized, or somebody to be passive or a stereotypical savage
type," Howard said.

His short feature film is one of three films produced by tribal members
that will be viewed during the tour.

"My short film, Chief, is more of an exercising in filmmaking . . . to see
if I can make a desert noir piece, and I'm happy with my results," said
Howard, who is taking film classes at Scottsdale Community College.

Chief also was featured in the recent Phoenix Film Festival.

Several films ranging from 6 minutes to 94 minutes will be featured each
night.

Admission is free.

Films begin at 6 p.m. June 13 and 15 at Salt River High School, 4827 N.
Country Club Drive.

At 6 p.m. June 16, films will be viewed at the Salt River Community
Building, 1881 N. Longmore Road.

Special guests attending include: Nakotah Larance, a world champion hoop
dancer and actor; Robert Guthrie, an actor who won the 2006 American Indian
Institute Best Actor award; and Delanna Studi, who appeared in the films
Edge of America and Dreamkeeper.

During the film festival tour, the American Indian Film Institute will work
to develop film projects with teens within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community. The summer program introduces youths to the film and
media industry and offers hands-on training about filmmaking.

Films done by students and other films done by community members will be
featured on the last day of the festival.