San Francisco, CA - The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) and Title Sponsors; the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians and the SeminoleTribe of Florida are proud to announce the opening and closing night films for the 32nd annual American Indian Film Festival:

Opening the nine day Festival at Landmark Embarcedero Cinema on Nov. 2 in San Francisco, will be two captivating documentaries, “Maria Tallchief” and “Water Flowing Together”, both exploring the world of ballet through two renowned Ballet dancers.

The World Premiere of “Maria TallChief” directed by Sandra Osawa, poetically chronicles the legendary Osage dancer Maria Tallchief. Hailed as “America’s first prima ballerina” this full-length documentary includes rare ballet dance footage and exclusive interviews with Maria Tallchief as well as fellow dancers and historians. “Water Flowing Together” directed by Gwendolen Cates delves into the life of Navajo Indian/Puerto Rican New York City Ballet principal dancer, Jock Soto. Known as “one of the finest male dancers” in the world, this compelling documentary studies his connection to his heritage and follows him through the last two years of his career up to his retirement on June 19, 2005. Opening the second part of the Festival at the historic Palace of Fine Arts on Nov. 8, is the documentary “Gathering Together” and the acclaimed feature film “Four Sheets to the Wind”. “Gathering Together” by Bay – Area director James Fortier, goes behind the scenes to chronicle to the story of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s first traditional regional potlatch in over a century, as host of the 2006 Tribal Canoe Journey. A coming of age drama, “Four Sheets to the Wind” directed by Sterlin Harjo, follows the story of Cufe Smallhill (Cody Lightning) after his father’s untimely death. Cufe leaves his home to visit his troubled sister (Tamara Podemeski) in Tulsa and unexpectedly meets a girl who changes his life. On Friday Nov. 9 the American Indian Film Festival will close with the World Premiere of the documentary “Making the River” and the feature - film “Imprint”. A film by Aboriginal Lens founded by Sarah Del Seronde and Paul Stoll, “Making The River”, tells the saga of Jimi Dexter Simmons. He was charged with first-degree murder of a prison guard at the Washington State Penitentiary. Faced with almost insurmountable odds that he would be convicted and executed, the Simmons Brothers Defense was formed. “Imprint” directed by Michael Linn tells the story of Shayla Stonefeather (Tonantzin Carmelo) a prominent Native American attorney who has turned away from her people and the dreams of her youth. When she returns to the Pine Ridge Indian reservation of South Dakota, her ancestral home, ghostly apparitions begin to haunt her with a frightening vision she does not want to believe. AIFI’s American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show, honoring filmmakers and showcasing contemporary Native American talent, will be held on Saturday November 10, 2007 @ the Palace of Fine Arts beginning at 6:00pm. Fourteen awards will be presented including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Documentary. The awards show will include a mix of live entertainment by established and emerging Native artists and performers including special performances by multi-talented singer Jamie Coon, violinist Swil Kanim, the 21 memberYaaw Tei Yi Tlingit Dancers from Alaska and acclaimed Taos, NM based recording artist Robert Mirabel. A complete schedule will be available on October 8, 2007 and will also be available on our website www.aifisf.com. All programs are open to the general public and will require tickets for admission. Advance Tickets available thru AIFI: 415-554-0525 visa & mastercard. On-site tickets available at the following theater venues (on day of show.) ** November is National American Indian Heritage Month. AIFI welcomes all- audiences, all-colors, to participate at festival screenings, seminars and awards show. Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level San Francisco,CA Showtimes: Nov. 2- 7 Matinees begin @ 12noon ($5) *Box Office matinee tickets are available at 11:00am Evenings begin @ 7:00pm *Box Office evening tickets are available at 5:00PM (Opening Night $10) (Evenings $6-8) Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon St.@ Bay St. San Francisco,CA Showtimes: Nov. 8-10 Evenings begin @7:30pm ($7-8) Nov. 8-9 tix available @ 6:30pm Motion Picture Awards Show begin @6:00pm * Awards Show tickets are available @ 4:30pm at the Box Office ($12-15)