MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Coyote Film Festival will present “Coming to Light,” a film by Anne Makepeace, in two screenings on Saturday, Oct. 16.

There will be a 1:30 p.m. matinée and a 7:30 p.m. screening at the at Cartwright (Calpine) Geothermal Visitors Center, 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.

The cost is $10 at door for adults, $5 for children 16 and under.

“Coming to Light” tells the dramatic story of Edward S. Curtis, a complicated, passionate, self-educated pioneer and visionary artist who set out in 1900 to document traditional Indian life before it was gone.

He created an astonishing body of work; thousands of wax recordings, a full-length motion picture with Kwakiutl people, 20 volumes of text and 40,000 photographs.

“A beautifully crafted epic,” David Anson of Newsweek said.

“Abundant, Odyssean, told with impressive sensitivity,” said Todd McCarthy of Variety.

“Coming to Light” explores the often controversial nature of Curtis’ romantic images and the meaning they have for Native Americans today.

In the documentary, Hopi, Navajo, Cupig, Blackfeet, Piegan, Crow, Suquamish, Kwakiutl and Gros Ventre people, descendants of Curtis’ photographic subjects, tell stories about the people in the pictures and describe ways in which they are using the photographs to revive their own traditions in the modern world.

Though not highlighted in the film, Curtis came to Lake County in 1923 and documented the indigenous Pomo. His images include portraits, clothing, ornaments, basketry and other aspects of native life in these very lands. He recorded the oral traditions and creation stories as well.

You will see the tapestries of Sheila O’Hara, internationally acclaimed fiber artist. Sheila will be on hand for the afternoon matinée to discuss her translation of Curtis photos to a fiber medium and we get to see these beautiful tapestries that capture the nobility of Curtis’ subjects through the deft hand of O’Hara. The tapestries will be up through the evening screening.

There is plenty of parking, large restrooms, refreshments for sale and a great time.

Coyote Film Festival is the fundraising arm of EcoArts of Lake County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing visual art opportunities to the residents and visitors of Lake County, Calif.

Contact Karen Turcotte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.