The 30th RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival & RNCI Red Nation Awards continues to shine a powerful spotlight on this year’s filmmakers, nominees, and award winners. The RNCI showcased dozens of original Indigenous films from November 10 – December 31, 2025. The Long Hope was shown on November 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Local Seneca Activist Ross John Sr. along with Activist John Kane teamed up together to create a documentary called The Long Hope. The Long Hope is a documentary on an activist’s position on Sovereignty and the Rule of Law. The film was created by Iron Rose Productions in Conjunction with Iroquois Productions. The film Director is Elspeth Victoria Fitzgerald, Producer James H Fitzgerald, and writers: John Kane, Ross John
Ross John and family were captured on the On the Red Is Green Carpet, celebrating Native and Indigenous excellence, visibility, and storytelling at the highest level.
Holly John shared “What an incredible honor to be included in this year’s festival. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our film to the world. We met some incredible people and saw even more incredible films. Who better to tell our stories than us . Nyä:wëh.”
Next screening will be at UB North Campus, Buffalo NY on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 from 11am- 3 pm . Screening w/ Q&A to follow The Long Hope.
They are also scheduled to show at the Pequot Territory on March 28th.
RNCI Red Nation Awards Nominee for Best Documentary: The Long Hope
RNCI also featured The Bone Comb, Directed by Maurice Allen John. This short documentary follows Hayden Haynes (Seneca Nation of Indians, Deer Clan) as he undertakes a unique and singular project in which he carves a centuries-old fragment of bone.
Bone and antler carving are ancient Seneca practices. Hayden, as a contemporary Seneca artist and antler carver, bridges the past and the present in this documentary.
The finished artwork is part of a permanent exhibit at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, located is Rochester, NY.
