Alana Tiikpuu

ABOUT

Alana Tiikpuu is a non-binary Nez Perce and Navajo writer and director from Lapwai, Idaho. They are a 2019 graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, where they majored in Cinematic Arts & Technology. After their time at IAIA, Alana went on to become a fellow of the LA Skins Fest Animation lab, and a mentee of the Netflix Animation Foundations. Their time with these two programs has pushed Alana’s writing skills even further. Alana currently works as the Audio & Video Technician for the Nez Perce Tribe’s Enterprise. This has opened the door for them to assist the Nez Perce Tribe’s Language program, and they currently are working on animating traditional stories of the Nez Perce tribe.

“I grew up with an active imagination, and filmmaking is a way for me to continue the joy of creation.”

– Alana Tiikpuu (Nez Perce & Navajo)

PROJECT:

For their LIFT Project, Alana will write and direct, Goat Song, a short film about a young Indigenous man who was adopted out of his family as a child and undergoes a spiritual transformation as he searches to reconnect with his community. They wrote this story to create a new modern Indigenous mythology. One full of stories that teach Indigenous lessons and can be applied to our modern-day life. The film will be screened at festivals and in Alana’s community.