An Evening of Pasifika Storytelling

Join the Sundance Institute and Medium Studio for an evening dedicated to Pasifika storytellers featuring a screening of Ciara Leina`ala Lacy’s short film, This Is the Way We Rise (2021 Sundance Film Festival), followed by a talk with local Kānaka Drag King and Filmmaker, Mik Jäger, and a poetry workshop facilitated by Tongan Poet and Artist, Reina Pahulu.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Seating is first come, first served.

About the Film:

This Is the Way We Rise is an exploration into the creative process, following Native Hawaiian slam poet Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, as her art is reinvigorated by her calling to protect sacred sites atop Maunakea, Hawai`i.

Run Time: 12 min.

Language: English

About the Artists:

Ciara Leina`ala Lacy is a writer-director whose native Hawaiian identity drives how she laughs, cries, and laughs-while-crying at the world. Her films have shown Sundance and Berlinale as well as on platforms like Netflix, PBS, ABC, Al Jazeera, and the Criterion Collection. Notably, she is the inaugural Sundance Merata Mita Fellow. She continues to work on documentary content for broadcast and streaming while expanding her intimate style of filmmaking into the branded content, animation, and narrative spaces.

Mik Jäger is the only POC trans masc nonbinary drag king actively performing in Salt Lake City. Mik Jager’s drag is a blend of many things: childhood nostalgia, body positivity, and an attempt to subvert toxic masculinity and gender roles in our society. Mik is mixed race: Kanaka Māoli, Samoan, Chinese, and white. The term Mahu is probably a more accurate way to describe his queer identity. Drag has helped him explore nuances of their culture and intersectional identity. The ability to create and tell stories of their own has always given them strength.

Reina Kapiolani Pahulu is a first generation Tongan-American Leiti (lay-tee), aka Transgender Woman as per western standards. Her pronouns are she, her, & hers. Reina is a local poet & community organizer here in the wonderful Beehive State (Utah) and is very passionate about creating discourse, change, & space for BIPOC & Pasifika people to thrive.