Are You Native? | A White Bear Moccasins Documentary
Bozeman, Montana | Film Short
Documentary, Biography
In a conversation through time, Indigenous moccasin maker Shauna White Bear responds to the VHS tape she recorded 30 years ago for her father as she reflects on her identity, art-form, and grief. This vulnerable short documentary depicts an important story of reconnection for urban Natives.
Are You Native? | A White Bear Moccasins Documentary
Bozeman, Montana | Film Short
Documentary, Biography
1 Campaigns | Montana, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,395 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
86 supporters | followers
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In a conversation through time, Indigenous moccasin maker Shauna White Bear responds to the VHS tape she recorded 30 years ago for her father as she reflects on her identity, art-form, and grief. This vulnerable short documentary depicts an important story of reconnection for urban Natives.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We are so close to finishing this film! We just need your help to get to the finish line.
Beyond the physicality of her moccasin-making work, Shauna White Bear's journey led her to a community that reconnected her with her ancestral roots. This film answers the deeper “why” of her work which extends beyond the stereotypical colonized conception of a “Native success story” and instead puts a lens on the joy of overcoming life's challenges through community, knowledge sharing, and empowering the next generation to create.
We want to see this project through to completion, and are looking for some additional support to make that happen. We are so close! We have a wonderful rough cut of the film. To get it across the finish line, we are asking for $12,000.
We are so thankful for all that have supported this film already with your time, donations, and words of encouragement. There truly is no amount too small - Anything you would like to contribute is greatly appreciated.
We set out on this Short Film endeavor with a very realistic Production Budget. As we progressed through principal filming and initial editing, we realized there was a much deeper, more personal story to tell within the White Bear Moccasins Story. Shauna White Bear brought out a treasure trove of photos and video recordings from her past, and the additional time and resources needed to properly piece that history together and bring it to life on screen is why we are asking for this additional funding.
Original Budget Breakdown and Expenditures-to-date:
The additional $12,000 we are asking for will be spent on the following categories:
We believe this short film is a very special work of art, and want to see it completed with excellence so it can reach the widest audience possible. Stories like the White Bear Moccasins Story highlight the need for discovering individual identity as well as finding & creating community, and we need more of that in the world.
We are excited about this film being Montana-Made with a Montana-based team, and Montana-based vendors whenever possible. Montana is filled with incredibly skilled filmmakers & film-adjacent professionals, and we are fulfilling our goal from the beginning to tap into the resources here to bring this story to the screen. With the additional amount raised, we intend to continue to prioritize hiring local professionals.
Thank you for considering supporting this short film as we enter into the season of giving.
Here are Behind-the-scenes photos from some of our filming days:
Thank you <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Finish Editor & Colorist
Costs $5,500
We have a fantastic draft of the film, but need to pay for an Editor's time to polish and bring it to film festival-ready completion!
Final Audio Mix & Music Clearances
Costs $3,500
On top of sound design, there are Indigenous musicians with songs that help tell the Story, & we want to be able to license their work.
Film Festival Entry Fees
Costs $1,500
Coverage of these fees will help us submit to more festivals all over the world, and share the film with a wider audience
Film Marketing & Legal Fees
Costs $1,500
It's important to be able to get the word out about the film, as well as have aspects of the film & contracts reviewed by legal counsel.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Introducing our key production team:
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
We are so close to finishing this film! We just need your help to get to the finish line.
Beyond the physicality of her moccasin-making work, Shauna White Bear's journey led her to a community that reconnected her with her ancestral roots. This film answers the deeper “why” of her work which extends beyond the stereotypical colonized conception of a “Native success story” and instead puts a lens on the joy of overcoming life's challenges through community, knowledge sharing, and empowering the next generation to create.
We want to see this project through to completion, and are looking for some additional support to make that happen. We are so close! We have a wonderful rough cut of the film. To get it across the finish line, we are asking for $12,000.
We are so thankful for all that have supported this film already with your time, donations, and words of encouragement. There truly is no amount too small - Anything you would like to contribute is greatly appreciated.
We set out on this Short Film endeavor with a very realistic Production Budget. As we progressed through principal filming and initial editing, we realized there was a much deeper, more personal story to tell within the White Bear Moccasins Story. Shauna White Bear brought out a treasure trove of photos and video recordings from her past, and the additional time and resources needed to properly piece that history together and bring it to life on screen is why we are asking for this additional funding.
Original Budget Breakdown and Expenditures-to-date:
The additional $12,000 we are asking for will be spent on the following categories:
We believe this short film is a very special work of art, and want to see it completed with excellence so it can reach the widest audience possible. Stories like the White Bear Moccasins Story highlight the need for discovering individual identity as well as finding & creating community, and we need more of that in the world.
We are excited about this film being Montana-Made with a Montana-based team, and Montana-based vendors whenever possible. Montana is filled with incredibly skilled filmmakers & film-adjacent professionals, and we are fulfilling our goal from the beginning to tap into the resources here to bring this story to the screen. With the additional amount raised, we intend to continue to prioritize hiring local professionals.
Thank you for considering supporting this short film as we enter into the season of giving.
Here are Behind-the-scenes photos from some of our filming days:
Thank you <3
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Finish Editor & Colorist
Costs $5,500
We have a fantastic draft of the film, but need to pay for an Editor's time to polish and bring it to film festival-ready completion!
Final Audio Mix & Music Clearances
Costs $3,500
On top of sound design, there are Indigenous musicians with songs that help tell the Story, & we want to be able to license their work.
Film Festival Entry Fees
Costs $1,500
Coverage of these fees will help us submit to more festivals all over the world, and share the film with a wider audience
Film Marketing & Legal Fees
Costs $1,500
It's important to be able to get the word out about the film, as well as have aspects of the film & contracts reviewed by legal counsel.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Introducing our key production team: