DOC FILM
Elefamilia
is a documentary film that looks to the future of African elephant care and sustainability. Willie Theison does not like the distinction "elephant whisperer" but there are very few ways to describe his unique connection with the world's largest land mammal. Drawing on over thirty years of experience, Willie has developed an uncanny perception of animal behavior, enabling him to bond with a small African elephant herd at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
This film takes you behind the scenes of this demanding and sometimes deadly profession as Willie and his team are confronted with many challenges as they prepare for the births of two new baby elephants. One of the mothers is an elephant named Moja who killed a handler in the past. With Willie's support Moja was able to continue her life at the zoo and given an opportunity to start her own family. Although Moja and Willie have been working together since the accident there are still serious concerns about how the birth will affect her behavior. Drama ensues as the babies Angelina and Zuri learn their place in their new elephant family.
Through Willie’s perspective we learn how the zoo is creating healthy family groups that live in natural herd structures where the elephants can “be elephants” and live a lifestyle that is as close to living in the wild as possible. These family groups are ambassadors for their relations in the wild, bringing awareness to all who meet them about the complex and fragile family systems that need to be protected in elephant communities around the world.
©Boccella Productions LLC 2012 RT 52 min
Screenings
Premiered at The Waterworks Cinemas Pittsburgh, PA 2013
Official Selection The International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, MT 2013
Shenango Cinemas Shenango, PA 2013
International broadcast reach 2014-2024
Discovery Networks Latin America
elewizja Polska, Poland
Viasat Pay Channels, Eastern Europe, Scandinavian Countries
High Fidelity HD TV, Canada: English speaking
DR DR TV, Denmark
KBS Media, South Korea
Olympusa, Middle East and Africa: Arabic speaking,
Happy Movie Media, China
High Fidelity HD TV/Blue Ant, Australia - New Zealand
ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Thailand
When Your Hands Are Tied
is an educational film that explores the unique ways in which indigenous youth are finding to express themselves in the contemporary world while maintaining strong traditional lives.
Since native youth do not often see reflections of themselves or their communities in mainstream media, we wanted to make a film that features contemporary native role models who are finding exciting and positive ways to direct their lives. We also wanted young people to learn the importance of self-motivation in combination with traditional teachings to help prepare for the challenges of everyday life.
Some of the people we meet are:
Navajo rappers, who rap in English and in Navajo, with a mission to communicate to young people the importance of embracing mainstream culture and education as well as their own native languages, customs and traditions.
Navajo punk rock musicians, whose style is Native American Punk-Rock or “Alter Native” with strong sociopolitical messages about government oppression, relocation of indigenous people, eco-cide, genocide, domestic violence and human rights.
Apache Skate Boarders, who through their travels across the country, have learned about filmmaking, photography, and self worth. They have also learned how to carry the message of who they are and where they come from as they pursue their own individual goals.
The Governor of Nambe Pueblo, an avid dancer started a break-dance team to help kids stay active and healthy. The break-dancers come from many tribes around the southwest and are encouraged to participate in their traditional dances at home.
©Boccella Productions LLC 2006 RT 56 min
Awards
Empowering Youth Awrd - Sin Fronteras Film Festival Albuquerque,NM 2007
Best Native Women in Film and TV - Red Nation Film Festival Los Angeles, CA 2008
Official Film Festival Selections
Native American Film Festival San Francisco, CA 2006
Palm Springs Native American Film Festival Palm Springs, CA 2007
Sin Fronteras Film Festival (Empowering Youth Award)) Albuquerque, NM 2007
Monument Valley Film Festival Kayenta, AZ 2007
Heard Museum Film Festival Phoenix, AZ 2007
Red Fork Native American Film Festival Tulsa, OK 2007
University of California, Davis Native American Culture Days Film Festival Davis, CA 2007
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Film Festival Albuquerque, NM 2008
Migration Music Festival
Taipei, Taiwan 2007
Honoring Our Own Power's First People's Native American Film Festival Newport, RI 2008
Red Nation Film Festival (Award-Best Native Women in Film and TV) Los Angeles, CA 2008
Bringing the Circle Together A Native American Film Series Los Angeles, CA 2008
Washington State University Native American Film Festival Pullman, WA 2009
American Indian Film Festival –Bellevue College Bellevue, WA 2009, 2011
Holba Kanali Film Series Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts & Humanities Ada, OK 2010
Presentations
Coconino Center for the Arts Flagstaff, AZ 2007
Seaalaska Heritage Institute Native Youth Leadership Camp Juno, AK 2007
University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Pittsburgh, PA 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PA 2008
National Indian Justice Center: For All My Relations Family Conference Garden Grove, CA 2009
Pittsburgh Consortium of Independent Schools Diversity Conference March Pittsburgh, PA 2010
Broadcast
Aired on PBS Pittsburgh affiliate WQED November 2008