Yahoo Lifestyle Sundance Institute Names Stefan Perez, Roni Jo Draper & Rhayne Vermette 2025 Merata Mita & Graton Fellows
The Sundance Film Festival has selected this year’s recipients of the Merata Mita Fellowship and the Graton Fellowship for Artists from California-Based Tribes.
On Saturday, Sundance Institute announced Rhayne Vermette (Métis) as its Merata Mita Fellow, with Roni Jo Draper (Yurok) and Stefan Perez (Coast Miwok) named this year’s Graton Fellows during the Native Forum Celebration, presented by NBCUniversal LAUNCH at The Park.
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Named for late Māori filmmaker Merata Mita, the fellowship goes to Indigenous woman-identified artists with ambitions to direct a feature film, providing them with a cash grant, mentorship and year-round creative development opportunities, including attendance at the Sundance Film Festival and access to strategic services offered by Sundance Institute’s artist programs.
“I am thrilled and honored to receive this year’s award, especially in considering the talent of previous recipients, many of whom have inspired me, incredibly,” said Vermette in a statement. “Merata Mita’s vision of moving images struck me as a beaming pillar of light. Her work has always been some place to admire, as well as both wish and work towards. It is in this spirit that I am encouraged to keep dreaming.”
Established in 2023, the Graton Fellowship is designed to support Indigenous artists from California-based tribes on projects in development and production. Made possible by an endowment from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, recipients will be granted $25,000, mentorship from Indigenous Program staff, access to creative and professional development opportunities, as well as an invitation to attend the Sundance Film Festival.
“I am honored to join the Graton Fellowship as part of Sundance Institute. I am striving to tell the story of Yurok fire practices in a good way — in a way that uplifts my community and demonstrates to Indigenous peoples the power of our relationships with the land and with each other,” said Draper. “Storytelling and story listening have been an important part of my life as a Yurok woman. Now I am in a position to imagine what Yurok storytelling can look like on film. This work is only possible with the generosity and trust of programs like the Graton Fellowship. Wok-hlew.”
Perez said of the honor, “This is such an amazing honor to be recognized by an institution like Sundance. I hope to make my tribe, my colleagues, and Sundance proud of what project develops out of this fellowship. California Indians have such a unique history and identity that I cannot wait to bring to the screen. Thank you to the Graton Rancheria Tribal Council and Sundance Institute for making this possible.”
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