Samara Lopez-Jones (she/her), a member of the Choctaw Nation who grew up in the Bay Area, moved to Los Angeles in 2021. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Film, TV, & Media Studies from Cal State LA and has since established herself as an award-winning filmmaker with a talent for both scripted and unscripted work. Her films have been featured at notable events like Cal State LA’s Golden Eagle Film Festival and the 2023 LA Skins Fest. Her short documentary “First Gen,” which she directed and produced, was selected for the 2023’s Golden Eagle Film Festival. Her short scripted film “Remember,” which she also directed, won the Youth Filmmaking Award at the 2023’s LA Skins Fest. Samara enjoyed working on “Remember” because it allowed her to inspire creativity and encourage young actors to push beyond their comfort zones. In contrast, “First Gen” provided a platform to delve into the unique challenges faced by first-generation college students, highlighting a broader community issue. Her most recent film, “The People’s Home: Five Decades of UAII,” chronicles the inspiring journey of United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) from its roots on Skid Row in 1974 to becoming a leading provider of human and health services for American Indians/Alaskan Natives in Los Angeles County. Samara is now looking to further her career by collaborating with other Native filmmakers and transitioning into television production. She is passionate about increasing Native American visibility in media and reshaping narratives to promote greater representation and inclusion. Over the past decade, Jones has dedicated herself to serving her community through Urban Indian health clinics and broadening her understanding of Indigenous cultures. Growing up in Urban Indian Health Centers gave her a profound sense of belonging, as these centers were more than just places for healthcare—they were cultural sanctuaries that nurtured her identity. She has also been involved in Native youth mentorship programs at Urban Indian health clinics, Stanford, and UCSB, where she led discussions on the challenges faced by Native American college students. As someone of mixed heritage, Jones has gained a deeper understanding of how colonization has impacted her ancestors’ language, teachings, land, and citizenship, seeing it as an act of symbolic annihilation. This understanding motivates her to advocate for Native youth, share their stories, and organize media arts events that showcase the diverse talent within her community. Her early connection to her heritage inspired her lifelong commitment to storytelling, cultural preservation, and advocacy within Indigenous communities. Her commitment to these causes is evident in her roles as a filmmaker, film programmer, Project Coordinator for the Native American & Indigenous Media Arts Program, and Multimedia Communications Assistant at United American Indian Involvement (UAII).