Calendar & Events
Photos by Sandra Sellars© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts the 6th Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival in the Leslie Cheek Theater, Nov. 18-20, 2022. REFRAMING NATIVE AMERICAN LIFE AND EXPERIENCE THROUGH FILM Representation matters. It matters because it impacts how we interact with our fellow Americans, the way that we educate our children, and it shapes our path forward as a democracy. Storytelling and filmmaking have suffered from a dearth of representation of important groups that influenced American democracy, notably Native Americans. Native culture is rich, steeped in history, and multifaceted, yet mainstream films do not often capture this nuance. The Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival honors the contributions of Native Americans and reinvigorates conversations about telling stories of indigenous life. The Festival aims to raise awareness about Native American language, cultures, and societies through films that share Native American perspectives. The Festival, which is the only one of its kind on the East Coast, brings together artists, authors, cineastes, and actors who share a passion for film and features experiential learning opportunities for the entire public. In the past, filmmakers have used demeaning stereotypes when incorporating Native characters or storylines, which lack nuance, accuracy, and complexity. The Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival offers new insight into previously under-told narratives. It is befitting that this important East Coast American Indian film festival is held in Virginia. Long before English settlers first arrived to establish the Jamestown settlement, Native Americans inhabited the land that would become the birthplace of our nation. Upon their arrival, Native Americans shared their mastery of the land with the English settlers and ultimately ensured the Colony’s survival. In 1619 Virginia, three cultures collided: Virginia Indian, African, and English. The interactions b
Celebration at 2022 Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival in VMFA's Marble Hall

VMFA Celebrates National Native American Heritage Month 2024

Enhance your celebration of National Native American Heritage Month with art, events, programs, and resources. Plan your next visit and check out our online offerings, too.

Our Collection

xx2016_421a-b_v1_TF_201703_w

Explore VMFA’s online resource that showcases centuries of art by Indigenous American artists.

VMFA has a collection of Indigenous American art that features works from across time and place. The works showcased here represent diverse subject matter and media. Objects in the collection are presented together in Evans Court Gallery and in the American Art Galleries highlighting under-recognized narratives in American history.

Explore

Events & Programs

2016_247_1_v2_TF_201702-grpcopy_o6

3 in 30 | Indigenous Art Histories, Indigenous Resistance

Tue, Nov 5 | 11 am (in-person)
Thu, Nov 7 | 11 am (virtual)

Learn More

Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival Pre-Events at VMFA (Single Tickets)

Mon, Nov 18–Thu, Nov 21

Get Tickets

8th Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival at VMFA

Fri, Nov 22 & Sat, Nov 23

Learn More

Family Powwow

Sat, Nov 23

Learn More

Explore More

xx59_28_15_v1_TF_200903_o4

Activities & Resources

Check out resources that highlight Indigenous American works in VMFA’s collections, including hands-on art activities and guides.

Explore

Sign up for news and updates