press release
MICCOSUKEE INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL
LAUNCHES OCT. 9 AT UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
COSFORD CINEMA
In Celebration of the Iron Arrow Honor Society Centennial, the Festival Highlights 22 Global Films to Uplift Indigenous Storytelling
CORAL GABLES, FLA., Sept. 24, 2026 — The inaugural Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival will officially launch on October 9, 2026, bringing an extraordinary lineup of indigenous-led cinema, conversations, and cultural community events to the University of Miami’s Bill Cosford Cinema. Running through October 12, the four-day festival is presented in partnership with the Iron Arrow Honor Society as part of its landmark centennial celebrations, highlighting a century of enduring relationships and respect between the honor society and the Miccosukee Tribe.
Uplifting Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and storytellers, the festival serves as a premier platform to preserve cultural heritage, champion creativity, and amplify the richness of indigenous identity. Selected from international submissions, the festival will screen 22 outstanding film projects, translating to over 10 hours of rich, independent cinema. To ensure authentic representation, all screened films must meet strict cultural criteria: they must be written, directed, or produced by members of indigenous communities; feature lead actors of indigenous backgrounds; or directly represent native and indigenous cultures.
The festival boasts a diverse, global collection of films, featuring projects and works from the United States, Canada, Australia and two joint collaborations: one from Chile, Ecuador and Germany and one from the Netherlands and Sakha Republic in Circumpolar North. Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with the visiting filmmakers during scheduled Q&A sessions following each screening block.
"The Miccosukee Tribe strives to be good neighbors and partners with the South Florida community. We have been here and we always will be here. And as we grow and succeed, so does this community,” said Talbert Cypress, Chairman, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
“Since Iron Arrow's founding, 100 years ago, we have been grateful for our relationship with the Miccosukee Tribe,” said Juan Lama, President of the Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival and member of the Iron Arrow Council of Elders. “In celebration of our centennial, we've created the Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival to bring together indigenous voices, storytellers, and performers to celebrate and preserve cultural heritage through cinema. We hope that with innovative partnerships, like this film festival, we are creating a platform for dialogue and engagement, as well as continuing to strengthen the bonds between our organizations for another 100 years.”
Festival Schedule and Event Highlights:
* Friday, Oct. 9 (Opening Night): Opening night film screening, followed by a tentative Social Mixer event.
* Saturday, Oct. 10: Preceded by a morning day trip to the Miccosukee Indian Village for festival attendees (featuring airboat rides, demonstrations, a alligator show, and village tours starting at 9 a.m.), followed by three screening sessions in the afternoon and evening.
* Sunday, Oct. 11: Three screening sessions featuring short films, documentaries, and features.
* Monday, Oct. 12 (Closing Night & Awards): A special screening of Montana Cypress's powerful, non-competition film "Becoming Buffalo", which explores the historic sovereignty journey of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the leadership of Buffalo Tiger. The screening will be followed by the festival's official Awards Ceremony.
All screenings will take place at the Bill Cosford Cinema, located at 5030 Brunson Drive, Memorial Building Suite 225, Coral Gables, FL 33146.
Tickets went on sale Friday, September 11, 2026 at www.miccofilmfest.com or a dedicated EventBrite link. Attendees will have the option to purchase individual screening block tickets, day passes, or full festival passes to experience the entirety of the landmark event.
About the Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival:
The Miccosukee Indigenous Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to uplift Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and storytellers by providing a platform that preserves cultural heritage, champions creativity, and amplifies the richness of indigenous identity through cinema, conversation, and community.
About the Iron Arrow Honor Society:
Established in 1926, Iron Arrow is the highest honor attained at the University of Miami. It recognizes individuals who exemplify the five qualities of Character, Leadership, Scholarship, Humility, and Love of Alma Mater. This festival is part of a year-long series celebrating a century of tradition and excellence.
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