TELS Film Festival: Climate Shorts
FILM DESCRIPTION
“Ishak.” A young woman is tapped to become the next chief of her tribe in southern Louisiana.
“Lowland Kids.” Climate change threatens the family home of two teenagers on a sinking island in Louisiana, forcing them to consider mass relocation.
Film screenings will be followed by Q+A with the producers of each film. Moderated by Mariah Hernandez-Fitch.
MAALIYAH SYMONÉ, DIRECTOR OF ISHAK
Maaliyah Symoné is an Afro-Indigenous and Creole director, actress, and multidisciplinary artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Growing up as a mixed-race woman in the South has shaped her journey; through her art, she seeks to bridge cultural divides and spark unity through the power of preservation. Her filmmaking gives voice to forgotten stories and people and uplifts ancestral knowledge creatively. By blending traditional wisdom and Indigenous principles, she honors the strength and resilience of her ancestors while inspiring others to take action. As an advocate for her tribe, the Atakapa-Ishak Nation, and Afro-Indigenous communities, she’s driven to protect their traditional land stewards, whose knowledge is vital in the fight against climate change. Her debut short documentary, Ishak, is a heartfelt exploration of cultural erasure, belonging, and the powerful identity of being a Black Indian in the South, designed to ignite a deeper understanding of who we are and the legacy we carry forward.
RICARDO BETHANBOURT, FIELD PRODUCER OF "LOWLAND KIDS"
NOLA GROWN, CARACAS BORN. Venezuelan-born Director, Producer, Artist. Ricardo Betancourt started his filmmaking career as a producer His creativity spans across music videos, commercials, documentary and short films. Often creative writing for other directors in the commercial world as well as editing. His passion also bleeds through canvases. Ricardo's creates "PATHS" or "CAMINOS" with oil, acrylic and often times paint markers over handmade paper and other "JUNK" materials such as Pizza boxes.
Ricardo has had the privilege and honor of working with clients such as STARZ, Capitol Records, UNIVERSAL, Can Am, Stanley Brand, Edifier, 88 Rising, Wounded Warriors Project &. HONDA in both Spanish and English. His paintings and photography have been featured during ART ALL NIGHT in Washington D.C and has shared commissioned videos with the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Arlington VA.
Ricardo is a board member for Minorities In Film, Part of Undocumented Filmmakers Collective and has been selected in cohorts such as, The Emerging Voices Directors Lab in New Orleans, GOTHAM Storytellers To Watch and most notably SUNDANCE Latine Fellowship.
Ricardo aims to share his unique perspective and life experiences with the world through his work and is deeply engaged in showcasing his hybrid documentary short (SUDAKAS) and development on his first Narrative feature (REPARTIDORES or Exodos), both inspired by his personal views and experiences as a citizen of the world.