As a filmmaker, Mikayla Gingrey ‘21 MFA ‘25 embodies LMU’s mission of social justice and advocacy. Her latest project “Facing the Storm: The Indigenous Response to Climate Change” exemplifies her commitment to using cinematic storytelling as a tool for social change. The first episode of the series will screen this Friday, November 15 at the Red Nation International Film Festival, one of the largest Indigenous film festivals in the United States. “Facing the Storm” is nominated for Best Episodic Series at the film festival.
The series investigates climate justice from an Indigenous lens, spotlighting the voices of Indigenous leaders and the impact of climate change on Indigenous Peoples. The first episode explores the grassroot Indigenous-led effort to fight the Dakota Access Pipeline. Gingrey interviewed the co-founders of Mazaska Talks, a Seattle-based Indigenous organization that utilizes divestment as a tool to combat the destruction of sacred sites.
Gingrey was drawn to this project because of her desire to amplify the stories of the Indigenous community.
“Many of the Indigenous Climate activists that I worked with found it incredibly difficult to get local news stations and production companies to take their issues seriously,” said Gingrey. “I had the privilege of attending film school, so I set out to create a platform and spotlight where Indigenous climate activists could share their stories, experiences and wisdom. It was a platform to make a call to action.”
A double SFTV alum, Gingrey credits her LMU education for setting an important foundation for her filmmaking career.
“I chose to stay at LMU for graduate school due to my professors’ assistance in networking leading to great industry opportunities,” said Gingrey. “LMU taught me to embrace and embolden my voice. It was that inner voice that led me to becoming a storyteller and a filmmaker that aims to create a better future and hope.”
“Facing the Storm” will screen this Friday, November 15 at 6:30p.m. at the Grove AMC. For more information about the series and to purchase tickets, please visit this link.
