Wayfinders Circle Films Earn Awards and Expand Global Awareness of Indigenous Peoples’ Guardianship

The inaugural season of the Wayfinders Circle Film Series – a collection of Indigenous co-created short films supported by Nia Tero, the Pawanka Fund, and the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners –is concluding an exceptional international festival run.

Here are some key highlights about the six-film series, which explores the resilience and adaptability of Indigenous Peoples as they defend their territories:

• Wayfinders Circle Films have 145 official selections from film festivals since the series inception, with 68 unique film festivals worldwide in 2025 alone
• This year, the films earned 14 award nominations
• Ultimately, the films won seven awards across multiple continents in 2025

“It is remarkable for a series of short documentaries to reach nearly 70 festivals in a single year. Their success signals a growing international appetite for Indigenous-led storytelling and it reflects a level of visibility and engagement that is rare for independent films,” says Bryan Cole, Executive Producer of the Wayfinders Circle Film Series and Director of “Niitsitapi”.

Among this year’s standout achievements, “Indai Apai Darah (Mother Father Blood)” earned multiple major awards across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

“This film is my love letter to my community, told from my perspective as someone who was born and raised in it my whole life. I wanted to share what nature, the forest, the river, and the land personally meant for me, for us,” said Kynan Tegar about his film, “Indai Apai Darah (Mother Father Blood).” 

He added, “I hope that message of oneness with nature is able to echo even further." 

 “Ngarridurndeng Kured (We Going Home Now)” also captured widespread attention, culminating in a “Best Documentary” win at the Australia Independent Film Festival. Additional honors include festival awards for “Te Pito O Te Henua (The Navel of the World)” in Chile and “Inia Ikiampri (Our Jungle)” in Miami. Films such as “Niitsitapi (The Real People)” and “Tuhaymani’chi Pal Waniqa (The Water Flows Always)” further strengthened this year’s impact through prestigious nominations across North America, Australia, and Germany.

The recognition Season One of the Wayfinders Circle films has earned – spanning two years and 145 film festival screenings – amplifies Indigenous filmmakers on the world stage. It also creates new opportunities for distribution, cross-cultural collaboration, and global dialogue on planetary stewardship. 

“These achievements emphasize the strength and vitality of Indigenous storytellers within the Wayfinders Circle, whose films continue to inspire audiences worldwide,” said Edna Kaptoyo (Pokot Indigenous Peoples of Kenya), Pawanka Fund’s Grantmaking and Partnerships Officer. “The awards affirm the creativity and craft of the filmmakers, as well as the importance and meaningful impact of narrative sovereignty.”

Plans for the Wayfinders Circle Season Two film series are underway. Next year, Nia Tero will support new films from the Gabbra community in Kenya and the Ju/’hoansi in Namibia, expanding the reach of the series and continuing to uplift Indigenous-led stories. These films are expected to premiere in 2026.

Learn More about the Wayfinders Circle Films Awards 

“Indai Apai Darah (Mother Father Blood)”

• Kendal Mountain Festival, Kendal, UK, November 2024: Jury Special Prize Winner
• Festival de Cinema Indigena de Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain, December 2024: Jury Special Mention Winner
• Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, June 2025: Environmental Film Award
• CEBU International Film Festival – Cebu City, Philippines, March 2025: Short Documentary Award Winner
• FOLCS International Short Film Competition – New York, April 2025:  Best Short Award Winner

“Te Pito O Te Henua (The Navel of the World)”

• South Film Arts Academy Festival– Chile - Dec 2024: Short Film Award Winner

“Ngarridurndeng Kured (We Going Home Now)”

• Sparrowland Short Film Festival – Brisbane, Australia, May 2025: Honorable Mention – Short Documentary
• Australia Independent Film Festival – Brisbane, Australia, October 31-November 1, 2025: Best Documentary Winner
• South Pacific Film Festival – Auckland, New Zealand, July 2025: Best Documentary Short

“Inia Ikiampri (Our Jungle)”

• Miami Cinematic Fest – Miami, FL, December 2025: Award Winner

“Tuhaymani’chi Pal Waniqa (The Water Flows Always)”

• Flagstaff International Film Festival, Arizona, 2024: Best Documentary Short