Chris Eyre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Eyre
Eyre at South by Southwest in 2011
Born	1968 (age 56–57) Portland, Oregon, United States
Education	New York University (MFA)
Occupation	Film director, film producer
Years active	1994-present

Chris Eyre, born in 1968, is a talented American film director and producer. He is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. He is known for making movies and TV shows that often share important stories. Since 2012, he has also led the film department at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design.

Early Life and Education

Chris Eyre was born in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in Klamath Falls with his adoptive parents, Earl and Barbara Eyre. Even though he wasn't raised in a Native American community, he is officially part of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.

While at Klamath Union High School, Chris became very interested in black-and-white photography. This led him to study television production at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts from the University of Arizona in 1991.

His love for telling stories brought him to New York University Tisch School of the Arts. There, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking. His student film, Tenacity (1994), was even shown at big events like the Sundance Film Festival.

Chris Eyre's Career

Breakthrough Film Success

In 1998, Chris Eyre worked on two film projects. One of his first films was Things We Do (1998). His big breakthrough came when he directed Smoke Signals (1998). This movie was special because it was the first nationally shown film directed, written, and produced by Native Americans. It also featured many American Indian actors.

Smoke Signals won two important awards at the Sundance Film Festival: the Filmmakers Trophy and the Audience Award. It also won "Best Film" at the 1998 American Indian Film Festival. Chris Eyre said that Smoke Signals was about forgiveness, a theme he believed everyone could understand.

Other Important Movies

After his success with Smoke Signals, Eyre directed several other notable films. These include Skins (2002) and Edge of America (2003).

Skins (2002) tells the story of two brothers living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. One brother is a tribal police officer, and the other is a Vietnam vet dealing with emotional struggles. Eyre wanted to show modern Native American life, not just historical stories.

His film Edge of America (2004) was the opening night film at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. This movie is based on a true story about a Black English teacher. He goes to a Native American reservation to teach. He ends up coaching a girls' basketball team that isn't very good. He helps them reach the state finals. Along the way, he learns a lot about their culture and race relations in America. In 2006, Chris Eyre won an award from the Directors Guild of America for Edge of America. He was the first Native American to win this award for Children's Programs.

Eyre also made a short film called A Thousand Roads (2005). This film is shown at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. It follows four modern American Indians as they go about their daily lives.

In 2011, Eyre completed Hide Away (2011). This film explores universal human experiences. It shows how Chris Eyre's upbringing in Klamath Falls influences his work. The movie stars actors like Josh Lucas and Ayelet Zurer.

Other projects include The Doe Boy (2001) and Freedom Riders (2009).

Television Work

Chris Eyre has also directed episodes for popular TV shows. These include Law & Order and Friday Night Lights.

He directed two episodes for the PBS series Mystery!. These were A Thief of Time (2004) and Skinwalkers (2002). These episodes starred Adam Beach and Wes Studi. Both were based on popular novels by Tony Hillerman and produced by Robert Redford. Skinwalkers is a mystery about skinwalkers and the murders of medicine men. A Thief of Time is a mystery about missing artifacts and an ancient legend.

In 2008, Eyre directed the first three episodes of We Shall Remain (2009). This mini-series from PBS's American Experience shows Native American history as a key part of American history.

More recently, Eyre has been involved with the Navajo noir series Dark Winds. It started on AMC+ in 2022. He is an executive producer and director for the show. He works with famous people like Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin. Eyre believes that TV is a great way to tell Native American stories today.

Directing Style and Themes

Chris Eyre's directing style is known for its powerful storytelling. He creates strong characters and shows deep respect for different cultures. His films often explore ideas about who we are, finding forgiveness, and the challenges of Native American life in modern times.

Personal Life and Influences

Chris Eyre's childhood in Klamath Falls shaped his love for simple, rural life. His journey to find his birth mother, Rose Lumpmouth, and learn about his heritage has deeply affected him. These personal experiences often inspire his films. They bring themes of identity, belonging, and healing to his projects. Eyre is dedicated to his heritage. He actively supports efforts that promote Native American culture and education.

Legacy and Impact

Chris Eyre is seen as a very important person in Native American cinema. His work has helped more people understand and appreciate Native American cultures. He has also inspired many new Native American filmmakers to tell their own stories.

Awards and Recognitions

In 2007, Chris Eyre was named a USA Rockefeller Foundation Fellow. He received a $50,000 grant from United States Artists. This group supports American artists.

In January 2012, Chris Eyre was chosen to be the chairman of the film department at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design.

Filmography

Short film

• A Thousand Roads (2005)
• Ishi's Return (2016)
• Memories of Miss O'Keeffe (2017)

Feature Film

Producer

• The Doe Boy (2001)
• Imprint (2007)
• California Indian (2011)

Executive producer

• The Seventh Fire (2015)
• Fourplay (2018)

Television

TV movies

TV series