STAR Student-Made Films
1) Preschool and Kindergarten
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STAR School Preschoolers act out a traditional Navajo Winter Story. Demonstration of integrating Native Literature and Place-Based Media Arts by Filmmaker and Educator Rachel Tso. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This Video was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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STAR School Kindergarten class visits their teacher’s cornfield to learn how to make Nitsidigo’i’, Kneel Down Bread, a traditional Dine’ Heritage Food. Filmmaking by 7th / 8th grade students, Kira Butler, Joshua Gregg, and Keanu Jones under the direction of Rachel Tso integrating Place-Based Education with Media Literacy. Music by Radmilla Cody. This film is an official selection of: AZ Student Film Festival – Winner of Grand Prize Grades 6 – 8 and 1st place Grades 6-8 Microshort. The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA; Cine Las Americas, Austin, TX; The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival; and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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STAR School 8th grader Veronica made this entertaining short film about the "Farm to Preschool" program featuring a bunch of adorable preschoolers. Made with help from NAU Communications student Saylor.
2) Grade School
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STAR School 3rd and 4th grade students learn about Aquaponics in their classroom. Film made by STAR 3rd and 4th graders Bahozhoni, Aydan, Hawke, Artisha and Charmaine with help from NAU Communications student Allie.
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STAR School 5th and 6th graders ask questions about MAVEN. Filmed by STAR 7th and 8th graders.
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STAR School elementary students partnered with an NAU Communications class -- to create several short films about their community. This is the story of that partnership as told by Jeremiah.
3) Middle School
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Aerial tour of STAR School by STAR School 7th and 8th grade students Madison and Joshua flying a quadcopter, with a "go pro" -- with help from NAU Communications students Graham, Beth, Allen and Saylor.
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A short film about the importance of using Juniper Ash in traditional Dine’ cooking. Film made by STAR School 7th and 8th grade students: Amber, Ian, Veronica, and Joshua -- with help by NAU Communications student mentors Saylor, Allen, and Robinli.
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Stop motion 2D animation made by STAR School 7th and 8th grade students: Tamia and Madison -- with help from their NAU Film student mentors Sydney, Cody, and Connor.
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A day learning about traditional life, with Traditional Practitioner Jones Benally. Short video made by 7th and 8th grade students Kristopher and Hallie -- with help by NAU Communications student Allen. Music by Jones Benally.
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Questions for NASA MAVEN project -- written and filmed by STAR School 7th and 8th grade students. Made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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Traditional Navajo Spider Woman story retold through Lightbox Animation by STAR School students: Larissa Luther, Taylor Long, and Makyla Allison. Story learned through the Voices Native Literature program: “Zinnia: How the Corn was Saved” by Patricia Hruby Powell. Demonstration of integration of Native Literature, Literacy, and Place-Based Media Arts, produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso, Youth Mentors Camille Manybeads Tso and Kira Butler. Winner 2nd place in the Middle School Animation category of the 2014 "My Hero International Film Festival" -- and an official selection of "The Red Nation Film Festival" (in Los Angeles); the "The American Indian film Festival" in San Francisco; and "The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival" -- and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona "Navajo Show"; and the NAU "Native American and Indigenous Film Series". This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This Film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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Dine’ youth explore their, and their community’s, relationship with Doo’ko’osliid, the San Francisco Peaks in Northern Arizona. Film made by Dine’ youth during the "Peace and Film 5 Day Peer Leadership Summer Camp" -- mentored by Camille Manybeads Tso and Kira Butler. An example of Place-Based Media Arts. This film is an official selection of: The American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, CA; The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA; The Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden, CO. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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STAR School 8th grader William John explores the traditional meaning and reasons for the Ta’Chéé (sweatlodge) ceremony. An Example of Place-Based Media Arts, Directed by William John, Assistant Director Tevin Todacheenie, Mentored by Camille Manybeads Tso and Keanu Jones, and was produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso. This film is an official selection of: The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA;The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival;and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show. This Video was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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A young Dine’ man picks up a beautiful hitchhiker. Story written by STAR Middle School students, based on a popular local ghost story. All content is fictional, any similarities to real people or events is purely coincidental. This Short Film was created by STAR Middle School Media Arts Students, Taylor Long, Cedric John, Larissa Luther, and Makyla Allison, and was produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso. Music by Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike, and additional music by R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton, Will Clipman. This Video was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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This event was made possible by a grant from The First Nations Development Institute to the STAR School. This short was filmed by STAR Middle School Students and Alumna Kira Butler, photography by Kate Sorensen and Louva Montour, edited by Rachel Tso. Music is "Memories of the Fall" by Skychasers. For non-commercial, educational purposes only.
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An Educational Documentary in which STAR (Service To All Relations) School Students and Staff Demonstrate how Navajo Peacemaking is Taught and Implemented to Create a Compassionate and Responsive School Environment. Made by STAR School Media 7th / 8th grade students Keanu Jones, Kira Butler, Taylor McCabe, and Kristen Jones under the direction of filmmaker and educator Rachel Tso. Based on “The Manual for Peacemaking” by Dr. Mark Sorensen and Thomas Walker Jr. This film is an official selection of: The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA; and The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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A student-made documentary short about Solar and Wind Energy at the STAR School, the country’s first off grid, solar / wind powered charter school in the country; located on the edge of the Southwestern Navajo Nation. Filmmaking by 7th/8th grade students, Kira Buter, Joshua Gregg, Donovan Warren, and Tyrail Smith under the direction of Rachel Tso integrating Place-Based Education with Media Literacy. Music by Kelly Hawthorne. This film is an official selection of: AZ Student Film Festival: Winner of 1st place in Middle School Microshort and the Grand Prize for the Middle School Age Division. The Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden, CO; The Red Nation Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA; The Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival; and shown as a part of the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show. This film and the STAR Media Arts Program was featured in the documentary “Valdagno, Arizona” and screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. This film was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
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STAR School Students, 7th Grader Miranda Rodriguez, 5th Grader Missy Mae Stos, and 6th Grader Kendra David, created this Public Service Announcement about Texting and Driving, produced by Media Arts Educator Rachel Tso. This Video was made for Non-Commercial, Educational Purposes Only.
To learn more about the STAR Media Arts Program, please visit: