By Tyrone Sitting Eagle
Trevor Solway is a filmmaker from Siksika. In the past few years, he has been working hard and is achieving a lot of success in the film industry. Recently, his series “Tales From The Rez,” which is a horror-comedy series that tells the stories of Blackfoot urban legends, has gotten nine nominations for the AMPIA 50th Annual Rosie Awards. As well, he is currently finishing off his next film, “The Blackfoot Man,” which explores and highlights Blackfoot Masculinity.
The AMPIA Rosie Awards take place this year in Calgary on October 19th, 2024. This event gives a lot of filmmakers the chance to network and, as well, enjoy lots of entertainment. It is specific to Alberta only, where filmmakers across the province are recognized for their dedication and for their achievements. More specifically, “Tales From The Rez” has gotten 9 nominations for Best Makeup and/or Hair Artist, Best Production Designer / Art Director(s), Best Original Musical Score Scripted, Best Overall Sound Scripted Under 30 Minutes, Best Cinematographer Scripted Under 30 Minutes, Best Screenwriter Scripted Under 30 Minutes, Best Host – Web Program, Series or Stand-Alone Production, Best Director Scripted Under 30 Minutes, Best Production Reflecting Cultural Diversity, and Best Web Series.
Trevor exclaimed the excitement and the well-received responses from the audiences and from the community. Community members have something to relate to and to understand a lot better, as this is something that is filmed right in the Siksika, as well as having family members and modern Blackfoot Siksika humour and culture in the production.
“We have had a lot of great feedback and reception to season 1. The screenings we had were well attended, and right away people were asking for season 2. It was so cool to hear people recognize the stories, the places, and the people, so the love from the community has really steered us to begin season 2,” said Trevor in an interview”.
With that, they are going to be starting the filming of season two next year in the spring of 2025.
Another recent project that Trevor will be finishing and releasing is “Siksikakowan, The Blackfoot Man.” This is something that Trevor has been working on for 4 years with 90 days of production. The film observes Blackfoot Masculinity; here, men in the community were filmed, where you get to peer into the lives of Blackfoot men. This highlighted their interests, such as Powwow, Indian relay racing, hockey, basketball, fatherhood, etc. Intern giving an idea of being a Blackfoot Man, peering and experiencing various aspects of different lives in current society.
One thing that Trevor wants for the community is to show the youth and other aspiring filmmakers that it is possible to do what you want. He is doing it by using Blackfoot culture and who he is; in turn, it is motivating and motivating the community to strive for bigger goals.
“I always think of myself, little me, wanting to be in these popular culture shows, and so when we started season 1 of Tales From The Rez, I put my niece and my nephew in there.” Said Trevor.
In turn, this is very good for the community; this is really getting youth and other aspiring filmmakers, as well as community members who want to reach their goals, the motivation they need to achieve those goals.
