Author:NOVAC

January 12, 2018

KEEPERS OF THE MOUND

Ceremonial site, burial ground, midden, gateway, lighthouse, high ground: there are countless theories and explanations for the purpose of mounds, earthen structures built by native peoples of the United States.  Mounds hold more than just fragments of ancient life, they can teach us how ancient peoples settled, inhabited, and adapted to a rapidly evolving landscape.  For the Native American descendants of tribes that inhabited the delta, these spaces also are spiritual centers.  Hundreds of these ancient sites dot Louisiana’s coastline, and yet with rising sea levels, Louisiana is at risk of losing more and more mounds each year, and the wisdom they possess.  But cultural heritage is not a renewable resource.

Bayou Grand Caillou is one such mound at risk.  A giant mound on private property in Dulac, Louisiana, the mound at Bayou Grand Caillou is part of a rapidly changing ecosystem that is at risk of being washed away.  Today, this mound sits on property owned by several local lawyers and developers, not by the United Houma Nation or the local Dulac community.  Carla Solet, a member of the Houma and a Dulac local who lives next door to this mound, wants the mound protected from coastal land loss, but she also wants (legal) access to this sacred space.  For now, Carla and her family visit the site without permission, collecting palms to make baskets and spending time on land that holds deep meaning to their identity.  We follow the Solet family as they explore the meaning of the mounds in terms of their cultural heritage and reclaim the mound in a clandestine flag-planting ceremony.

Mounds were gathering sites for ancient peoples, a place to share knowledge and stories, and today they are a symbol for something that is in danger of being lost, both literally and figuratively, as Louisiana’s coast continues to dissolve.  As land disappears coastal communities rich in culture lose spaces and rituals, opportunities for people to come together, share and collect stories and artifacts to honor the land and its people’s history.  

KEEPERS OF THE MOUND was created with direct support from the Foundation from Louisiana and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Water/Ways program.  Directed by Katie Mathews, Camera by Justin Zweifach, Sound by Lukas Gonzales, Edit Paavo Hanninen.  Executive Producer Darcy McKinnon, Producer for LEH John Richie, for LEH Brian Boyles.

January 10, 2018

REFUGE

Phan Plork emigrated to Buras, Louisiana, in the early 1980s to escape the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge.  He now is part of a vibrant community of over 30 families of Cambodian descent in the heart of Plaquemines Parish.  He and other Cambodian and Vietnames fishermen are active parts of their community, but struggle to be engaged in the process of coastal restoration planning, due to cultural and language barriers.  As he looks towards the possibility of needing to move his family and community, becoming a refugee twice in his life, he wonders if his personal resilience will be enough to see his family, home and livelihood through.  REFUGE premiered at the 2017 New Orleans Film Festival.

REFUGE, featuring Phan Plork and Sandy Ngyuen.

Directed and produced by Katie Mathews

Camera by Biliana Grozdanova and Alex Glustrom

Edit by James Page

January 9, 2018

MONIQUE VERDIN: signals::doc

Antenna::Signals-docs presented in partnership with NOVAC

As part of a series of short documentaries about local artists and activists who have participated in Antenna’s Signals live magazine events, NOVAC produced this short documentary portrait of the current work of Monique Verdin, St. Bernard native, citizen of the United Houma Nation and artistic activist whose works focus on her indigenous heritage, her relationship to place, and the impacts of environmental change and pollution on southern Louisiana.

Directed by Katie Mathews and Ikeem George, Camera by Justin Zweifach, Edit by Cameron Wheeless and Ikeem George.

September 26, 2017

NOVAC <3 NOFF17

Once again, we are thrilled to partner with our friends at the New Orleans Film Society, as they present the 28th Annual New Orleans Film Festival.  We are excited this year to be at the festival in new ways – this year, not only as a partner throwing the Filmmaker Welcome Party for the 4th year in a row, but also as filmmakers!  Check out our NOFF events here:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12: Filmmaker Welcome Party!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14:  Premiere of REFUGE at the PRYTANIA, 5PM!

REFUGE is a portrait of Phan, a Cambodian fisherman who escaped the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields as a child to resettle along the coast in Buras, Louisiana. Today, Phan and his community are faced with the possibility of becoming refugees again, this time from coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and state restoration programs that struggle to engage with affected communities. REFUGE is screening at the New Orleans Film Festival at the Pyrtania Theater on October 14th at 5 PM.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18: Premiere of KEEPERS OF THE MOUND, at the Advocate Headquarters, 8PM!

KEEPERS OF THE MOUND is a short documentary film about a Native American family who cares for one of the many ancient earthen mounds threatened by the rapid disintegration of the Louisiana coastline.  With the threat of land loss looming and limited resources available for coastal restoration and protection, KEEPERS OF THE MOUND highlights indigenous communities’ fight to be considered in the cost-benefit-ratio of coastal protection. KEEPERS OF THE MOUND is screening at the New Orleans Film Festival at the Advocate Headquarters, October 18th at 8 PM.

September 1, 2017

Young Creatives Freelance Workshop

October 21 & 22 from 1pm – 5pm @NOVAC

Are you a young creative with the portfolio, skill, and drive to be a top freelance artist, but don’t know where to start?

Don’t worry, we got you.

NOVAC is partnering with the YEP Design Works to offer this 2-day freelance workshop will examine the business side of being a creative freelancer. We will review industry standards in pricing, best practices for working with clients, and most importantly how to protect your work and your time, so you can make your passion a career.

By the end of the workshop participants will have a Client Intake Folder with the following items:

    • Design Survey
    • Proposal Template for Scope of Work
    • Contract
    • Method for processing payments
    • Invoice Template
    • 1099
    • Deduction spreadsheet

 

If you are interested, please email julia@novacvideo.org for more information or to register! We are asking for a suggested donation of $50 to support youth programing at NOVAC and YEP Design Works. 

April 13, 2017

Sync Up Cinema 2017

It’s festival time y’all, and NOVAC is pleased once again to partner with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation to bring you Sync Up Cinema – three days of free films, panels and fun at the Jazz and Heritage Center! Kicking off with the Sync Up music industry conference, Sync Up Cinema brings industry leaders and Louisiana filmmakers directly to you.  This year’s schedule is better than ever, with some awesome highlights below – join us at Sync Up Cinema this year!

 

KEYNOTE CONVO: HANNAH BEACHLER

Meet the über talented production designer from MOONLIGHT, CREED, Beyoncé’s LEMONADE and the upcoming BLACK PANTHERS.

THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED: Filmmaking in the Trump Era

presented by Firelight Media and Field of Vision, with local films Aloné by Garrett Bradley and selections from NOVAC’s BetteR series.

BURNING SANDS + DIRECTOR GERARD McMURRAY

the Sundance premiere by New Orleans native Gerard McMurray tackles hazing at HBCU fraternities, and the director will be in attendance to discuss his rise from the 7th ward to producing and directing.

JOE INCAPRERA: FROM PA TO PRODUCER

New Orleans-based producer Joe Incaprera fell in love with the Crescent City when he worked on HBO’s Tremé. He moved his family here and produced and production managed hit television shows including American Horror Story, Quarry, and most recently, 13 Reasons Why, which is currently the most watched television show in history.  Now he’s shepherding a new and innovatively produced project right here in New Orleans.  Joe talks with indie producer Angela Tucker about his path from Baltimore PA to NOLA Producer to Hollywood Powerhouse in the new golden age of television.

Musician’s Clinic Birthday celebration & screening of ONE NOTE AT A TIME

A special screening of Renee Edwards’ ONE NOTE AT A TIME in celebration of the 19th birthday of the New Orleans Musician’s Assistance Foundation and Clinic.  And, the happy hour celebrating the clinic’s 19th anniversary!

CUBA, CONTIGO!

A short exploration into Cuban cinema expression, from the documentary CODIGO COLOR, about the legacy of colorism and racism in Cuba, to a partnership of youth media between Baton Rouge and rural Cuban media makers, to a special sneak preview of a high profile upcoming documentary featuring a legendary group of New Orleans musicians as they explore and meet their Cuban musical heritage dopplegängers.  SPECIAL GUESTS!

And loads more local films, music films and panels and parties – all FREE thanks to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and the City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy.

Download a FULL SCHEDULE HERE!!

January 23, 2017

MY STORY: Community Film and Photo Workshops @ NORDC

SESSION 1: January 28 – Feb 25

SESSION 2: March 4 – April 15

Saturdays @ NORDC Tremé Center

NOVAC and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission are teaming up to offer FREE documentary video and photography workshops at the NORDC Treme Center.  These workshops are open to participants ages 15 & up, and will focus on basic techniques of filmmaking and principles of photography, which we will use in partnership with the Tremé Center and the neighborhood of the Tremé to create photography and video projects highlighting the history, architecture and personal stories of this neighborhood.

 

November 16, 2016

The New Orleans 48 Hour Film Project

The New Orleans 48 Hour Film Project is an annual event that helps strengthen the home-grown Louisiana film industry and connects it to a global filmmaking community. During a wild weekend, teams of filmmakers are recruited from across the Southeastern Louisiana region to write, shoot, edit, and deliver a finished film in just 48 hours.

Donate to New Orleans 48 Hour Film Project