Georgina Lightning

Last updated
Georgina Lightning
Born
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)Director, screenwriter, actress
Notable work Older Than America
Children3, including Cody Lightning

Georgina Lightning is a First Nations film director, screenwriter, and actress.

Contents

Biography

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, she is an enrolled member of the Samson Cree Nation. She was raised off-reserve, near the Samson community in Edmonton, Alberta.

In 2007, she was featured in Filmmaker Magazine as one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film. In 2010 she was the recipient of the "White House Project- Epic-Award for Emerging Artist". [1] She co-founded Tribal Alliance Productions, partnering with executive producer Audrey Martinez, as a means to create opportunities for Native American, First Nations, and other Indigenous filmmakers. [2]

In 2008, Lightning directed, wrote, and starred in the supernatural thriller film Older Than America , becoming the first North American Indigenous Woman to direct a major feature film. [3] The film won several major awards at film festivals. She based the film on her father's experience with the Canadian Indian residential school system and other personal family stories.

Lightning is an outspoken advocate for First Nations and Native American causes, working towards a greater appreciation and awareness of the intrinsic value of North American Indigenous cultures to not only Indigenous people themselves, but to society in general. [4] In 2020, she criticised the TV show Big Sky due its lack of cultural sensitivity to the Indigenous community. [5]

Her three children are either currently or previously working actors. They are Crystle Lightning, Cody Lightning, and William Lightning.

At the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Trickster . [6]

Filmography

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References

  1. "Edmonton Filmmaker Wins U.S. Prize at Gala". 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-01-09. Notice of Lightning's award ceremony where she received the White House Award for Emerging Artist.
  2. "Debut of "Older Than America" press release". 2008. Retrieved 2010-08-22.[ permanent dead link ] Press release regarding Debut of "Older than America" film.
  3. "Georgina Lightning: the first Native female director of a feature-length film". 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2010-08-22. Interview with Lightning.
  4. "Georgina Lightning Sounds Off". 2003. Retrieved 2010-08-22. Lighting on the value of gaming revenues for Native Americans, and also on the many troubles experienced by Native Americans during the westward expansion of American society. (Referenced article at page's midpoint.)
  5. "ABC's 'Big Sky' Creator Responds to Indigenous Leaders' Concerns". Native News Online. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  6. Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada , March 30, 2021.