Filmmaker Billy Luther Brings Native Stories to the Screen

(Cybelle Codish photo)

Luther’s most recent feature film, Frybread Face and Me, was distributed in 2023 by Array and is available on Netflix after having been recognized with awards at SXSW and the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2007, his feature documentary Miss Navajo premiered at Sundance and aired nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens that same year. His second documentary feature, Grab, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Festival and has since been screened at over 80 film festivals worldwide. In 2018, Luther launched the PBS web series alter-NATIVE as part of their IndieLens StoryCast series.

While in residence at MacDowell, Luther is developing a feature film script based on the true story of a young Native American man who moved to Hollywood from the Oneida reservation with a dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.

To celebrate the return of MacDowell Downtown after a winter hiatus, beverages and light refreshments were served after the talkback.