Tippeconnie is a Navajo and Comanche filmmaker with an extensive career in the movie industry. He has collaborated with some of the most prominent names in Native American film, including FX’s Reservation Dogs’ Sterlin Harjo, Erica Tremblay, and A-list director Martin Scorsese. The list of projects he has worked on includes American Gods, Rudderless, Barking Water, Four Sheets to the Wind, My Blind Brother, Reservation Dogs, and the upcoming highly-anticipated film Killers of the Flower Moon.
Some of Tippeconnie’s works, including Leave Durov to the Dogs and Anticipation for Land in 2089, have been shown worldwide at museums and festivals, such as the Heard Museum, imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival, and the National Museum of the American Indian.
As well, Tippeconnie's illustrious career includes 20+ years of lecturing and instructing over a dozen film and production courses at the University of Oklahoma.
Tippeconnie said he is looking forward to leading the festival in growing the festival's influence.
“I have been privileged to experience deadCenter from viewership to programming and have seen not only its importance in supporting artistic perspectives but its potential to unite communities,” Tippeconnie said in a statement. “I am honored to be asked to join the story of deadCenter leadership as Director of Programming to nurture, strengthen, and expand these contributions of the festival, and I hope I can live up to those who come before and the needs of our expanding film communities.”
Current program director Sara Thompson brought Tippeconnie onto the deadCenter team five years ago.
“I’ve been in awe of Sunrise’s film knowledge since first meeting him on the set of Pearl in 2008,” Thompson said. “I asked him to join the team in 2018, knowing he would elevate the program and take us to new heights. I’m thrilled to see where he takes deadCenter in this next chapter and can’t wait to follow his journey.”
More Stories Like This
Chris Eyre's Jim Thorpe Documentary to Debut on The HISTORY Channel on July 7Muscogee Opera Soprano Kirsten Kunkle Stars in Tosca Production in June
Chickasaw Artesian Arts Festival Set June 7
Kathleen DuVal Wins Pulitzer Prize for "Native Nations: A Millennium in North America"
4KINSHIP. Native Fashion Brand, Opening a Store on Friday, May 23 in Santa Fe
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
