Showcasing film, music and art by, and/or about American Indian & Indigenous women, NWIF is an annual international film festival and America’s only film festival recognizing Native women in film & television. Founded by actor/director/producer Joanelle Romero, NWIF is dedicated to bringing awareness and content to the film industry. Sustainability requires a bankable market. “One can not build on success with one film every ten years. We need to have one film, right after the other in order to create our market.”

NWIF provides community investment relations with the entertainment industries, network contacts, educational programs, employment opportunities, mentorships and services in support of this mission, to empower American Indian & Indigenous Independent women filmmakers; to create diverse roles for American Indian & Indigenous women; to increase exposure for movies made by American Indian & Indigenous women, showcasing feature and short length narratives, documentaries, animation films, television movies, music videos, to provide mentorship for girls on & off the reservations. Initiative develops leadership, gives girls the confidence and skills in community, film, media, and activism.