'Older than America,' Georgina Lightning receive nom for emerging artist award

A win would mean it is the first time a Native American woman is recognized by this organization with such an award. Winners are determined via an on-line voting process that is open to the public and closes March 22, 2010 at 11:59pm – The public at large can vote at:  http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/epic/emerging_artist.php

March 18, 2020 --- (Los Angeles, CA) – Native writer/director/producer Georgina Lightning has been nominated for a 2010 EPIC Award in the “Emerging Artists” category by The White House Project. The White House Project’s EPIC Awards honors extraordinary culture changers who have brought positive images of women’s leadership to the American public through their work in politics and media.  Lightning is the co-founder of Tribal Alliance Productions, and the writer and director of the highly acclaimed independent film “Older than America,” which made its IFC Film Channel – On Demand debut, March 17, 2010. Lightning along with her Tribal Alliance business partner and executive director, Audrey Martinez, teamed up Christine Kunewa Walker to make “Older than America,” which has won over 19 awards, to date.  2010 EPIC award winners are determined via on-line voting at: http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/epic/emerging_artist.php.  Voting is open to the public and closes on March 22, 2010 at 11:59pm.  To find learn more “Older than America” on IFC Films – On Demand, please go to: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/older-than-america.

“Older than America” is the story of a woman’s haunting visions that reveal a Catholic priest’s sinister plot to silence her mother from speaking the truth about the atrocities that occurred at a Native American Indian boarding school.  It is a contemporary drama about suspense, as “Older than America” delves into the lasting impact of the cultural genocide that occurred at Indian boarding schools across the United States and Canada.  Lightning states, the film “covers the root of the problem that caused our Native nation to be in the state that it is in today -- the film exposes the reality of the murders and violence that happened in the Indian boarding school system.”

“Older than America” stars: Adam Beach (Flags of our Fathers, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Bradley Cooper (Hangover, He’s Just Not That Into You, Wedding Crashers”), Tantoo Cardinal (Smoke Signals, Legends of the Fall, Mothers and Daughters), Georgina Lightning (Christmas in the Clouds, West Wing) and Wes Studi (Avatar, Dances with Wolves, Last of the Mohicans).

“Older than America” was Executive Produced by Audrey Martinez of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians in Highland, CA, and “Older than America” received crucial financial support from the San Manuels, as well as the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The Whitehouse Project

The White House Project is a national, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, 501(c)(3) that aims to advance women’s leadership in all communities and sectors, up to the U.S. presidency. By filling the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical mass of women, The Whitehouse Project makes American institutions, businesses and government truly representative. Through multi-platform programs, The White House Project creates a culture where America’s most valuable untapped resource—women—can succeed in all realms. More information about The Whitehouse project, please visit: www.thewhitehouseproject.org .

IFC Films (Independent Film Channel Films)

IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent and foreign films with a unique day and date distribution model, “IFC In Theaters,” that makes films available to a national audience by releasing them simultaneously in theaters as well as on cable’s On Demand platform, reaching 50 million homes. ‘IFC in Theaters’ is available nationwide in standard definition and also offered in high definition on Cablevision and Comcast. More information about IFC Films, please visit: www.ifcfilms.com .

The “Older than America” trailer can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoHT6EP5sxI