‘Atikamekw Suns,’ Vera Drew Top First Ever Indies Awards

variety.com:

Andrés Buenahora The Indies, a new awards franchise from the creators of Slamdance meant to highlight true indie grit, held its inaugural ceremony in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Hosted by Nic Novicki at West Hollywood’s DGA theater, the honors went to. “distinctly independent US and Indigenous feature filmmakers,” according to co-founder Ben Umstead. “Their films will be seen, heard and properly recognized year after year in Hollywood.

Such recognition is a powerful tool for change of the status quo, and embracing change equals the film industry at its best.” This year, Chloé Leriche won “Best Narrative Feature” and “The Native Viewpoint Award For Outstanding Indigenous Community Story Collaboration” for “Atikamekw Suns” (pictured above) — as well as the “Outstanding Storytelling Craft” award alongside Natalie Lamoureux.

Also for “Atikamekw Suns,” Giauco Bermudez won the “Outstanding Technical Achievement” honor. “Suns” tells the true story of the deaths of five young members of the Atikamekw First Nation community of Manawan.