Award-winning high school filmmakers from the Flagstaff Bordertown Dormitory in Arizona have used Blackmagic Design's digital film cameras and DaVinci Resolve Studio to create the short film Tsiiyééł. Since its completion, the film has been showcased at ten international festivals, including imagineNATIVE, the world’s largest indigenous film festival.
Film Plot and Cultural Significance
Tsiiyééł explores themes of cultural identity through the eyes of a Diné teenager. Hailee Bekis plays the protagonist who feels down but gains strength from her Native American heritage by wearing a traditional Tsiiyééł, or Diné hair bun, during a run. She encounters a mysterious creature that challenges her sense of self, prompting her to draw upon her cultural roots to resolve her identity crisis.
Production Details
The Kinlani Film Project, an after-school filmmaking program for Native American students, produced Tsiiyééł. The project aims to empower and prepare students from the Flagstaff Bordertown Dormitory by integrating Diné/Navajo knowledge and language into their education. Filming took place in winter snow conditions, testing the capabilities of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro and URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 cameras.
Despite challenging weather, the crew utilized the cameras' low-light performance and internal ND filters to achieve their vision. A Blackmagic Video Assist 7” 3G monitor was ingeniously attached via a 12-foot HDMI cable for real-time feedback during shooting.
Collaboration and Mentoring
The film's post-production phase was led by Kristian Jackson, a University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film, and Television alumnus who mentored the Kinlani students through cloud-based collaboration. This partnership facilitated editing and grading using DaVinci Resolve Studio.
Festival Success
The film has garnered significant attention at various festivals across the United States and Europe, including imagineNATIVE in Toronto, All American High School Film Festival in New York, American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, CineFestival San Antonio, and the UK’s Native Spirit Film Festival.
Industry Recognition
The project was also featured in a Hollywood Professional Association session on “The Future of Visual Storytelling,” where Blackmagic Design Business Development Manager David Hoffman discussed how today's technology can empower young filmmakers. The film represents the adaptability and creativity of emerging visual storytellers, showcasing their ability to work with modern tools while maintaining cultural authenticity.