Mankiller (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mankiller |
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| Directed by | Valerie Red-Horse Mohl |
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| Release date(s) | June 19, 2017 |
| Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mankiller is a 2017 documentary film that tells the inspiring story of Wilma Mankiller. The film was directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl and executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd. It first premiered in the United States on June 19, 2017, at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Red-Horse Native Productions and Valhalla Entertainment created the film, which was presented by Vision Maker Media for PBS.
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About the Film: Mankiller
Who Was Wilma Mankiller?
The documentary explores the life of Wilma Mankiller, a remarkable leader. She was the first woman ever elected as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. This means she was the main leader of the Cherokee people. The film shows her journey from her childhood in Oklahoma. It also covers her family's move to San Francisco and her eventual return to Oklahoma. There, she rose to a powerful position within the Cherokee Nation.
What Does the Film Show?
Mankiller uses special interviews with her friends, family, and other important people like Gloria Steinem. It also includes old videos and pictures of Wilma Mankiller herself. The film shows her as an amazing leader who faced many challenges. She overcame unfair treatment because she was a woman, which is sometimes called sexism. Her leadership brought a time of greater stability and success for the Cherokee Nation.
Making the Documentary
Getting Started and Funding
Vision Maker Media began supporting the film's research and planning in 2012. The first filming for research happened in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma, in July 2013. Vision Maker Media announced more funding for the film's production in 2014. On March 9, 2015, Valhalla Entertainment, one of the production companies, started a Kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter is a way for people to donate money to help fund creative projects.
The campaign successfully raised $164,856 from over 1,000 supporters. Even some actors from the TV show The Walking Dead helped promote it. The campaign finished on April 8, 2015.
Filming Across the Country
The first part of filming took place during the summer and fall of 2015. The crew traveled to many cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco. They also filmed in Oklahoma. Vision Maker Media provided more funding in 2016. The final filming happened in Oklahoma and Wisconsin in August 2016. The work to put the film together, called post-production and editing, was finished in Los Angeles and San Francisco in late 2016 and early 2017.
Sharing the Story: Release and Recognition
Film Festival Screenings
The film had its first international showing on June 19, 2017, at the LA Film Festival in the United States. After that, Mankiller was chosen to be shown at 20 film festivals around the world. These included DOC NYC, the Austin Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival. It was also screened at Winda in Australia and ImagineNative in Canada.
Television Premiere
The documentary made its television debut on PBS in March 2018. This premiere was part of Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women.
Awards and Honors
Mankiller received several important awards. It won Best Documentary Feature at both the Tulsa American and the Rome International Film Festivals. The film also earned the Stanford Video Award for Editing at the 2017 United Nations Association Film Festival. Additionally, it was recognized as Best of the Fest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
