Sweetheart Dancers Film set to release in February!

Many of you have probably seen Sean and Adrian's famous sweetheart dance that went viral online at the San Manuel Powwow in 2017.

The Big Sky Film Festival in Missoula Montana will be showing a documentary titled “Sweetheart Dancers” on the couple and their two-spirit flare in the sweetheart dance.

From Tribal Tribune:

The film will make a Northwest premiere at the 16th Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Mont., Feb. 15-16.

The film follows Sean Snyder and Adrian Stevens, a Ute and Navajo two-spirit couple determined to rewrite the rules of culture through their participation.

“Last year, they entered a sweetheart dance and were disqualified because they were a same sex couple,” said Dupris. “This set them on a journey to continue to advocate for two spirit voices on the dance floor. They have continued to dance the sweetheart dance this last year.”

Ultimately, a year later, the couple was able to return to compete in the same sweetheart special.

Group 3 song 2 SWEETHEARTS 2017 San Manuel

“Sean and Adrian returning to the dance floor and declaring themselves as a couple, in matching regalia, holding hands, signifies a symbolic coming out in Indian Country,” said Dupris. “Two-spirited people have always existed in tribal communities without judgement. It wasn’t until the boarding school era…. The discrimination was brought by the colonizing mentality. It’s almost a back to the blanket story of a young couple, standing strong in the face of discrimination, saying it’s not okay for us to be this way.”

More information came from their Instagram page:

We’re pleased to announce the Northwest Premiere 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 @ Big Sky Film Festival in Missoula, Montana February 15th – 24th
SWEETHEART DANCERS is a story about Sean and Adrian, a Two-Spirit couple determined to rewrite the rules of Native American culture through their participation in the “Sweetheart Dance.” This celebratory contest is held at powwows across the country primarily for men and women couples, until now.

(Executive Producer) Rahdi Taylor & Davis Guggenheim
(Director) Ben-Alex Dupris
(Consulting Producer) Heather Rae
(Editor) Derek Doneen
(Director of Photography) Shaandiin Tome
(Associate Producers) Ceylon Grey, Alex Goetz
(Composer) Lillie Rebecca McDonough
Concordia Studio, Laughing Jackalope Films
Photo by: @ceylongrey

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