Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso is an exceptionally talented and accomplished queer Navajo filmmaker who has garnered numerous accolades throughout her illustrious career. As a recent fellow of the esteemed Firelight Media Documentary Filmmaker Lab, she has had the opportunity to hone her craft alongside some of the industry's most respected professionals.
Born with a passion for storytelling, Ivey Camille began making films at the tender age of 9, courtesy of the Native youth media project Outta Your Backpack Media. This early start proved to be a catalyst for her future success, as she continued to develop her skills and refine her unique voice.
At the age of 13, Ivey Camille made a significant mark on the film world with the release of her award-winning fiction film, In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman. Based on the true story of her great-great-great grandmother, Yellow Woman, who bravely navigated the Navajo Long Walk of 1864-1868, this film showcased Ivey Camille's remarkable storytelling abilities and earned widespread critical acclaim.
In recognition of her outstanding work, In the Footsteps of Yellow Woman screened at an impressive 90 international film festivals, winning a total of 11 prestigious awards. This early success only served to fuel Ivey Camille's creative fire, as she went on to further develop her craft at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, where she received a full scholarship.
Returning to her native Navajo Nation, Ivey Camille continued to work on projects that mattered deeply to her community, before embarking on her most ambitious project to date: Powerlands, her first feature-length film.
