HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – “Frozen River,” Marlon Brando, Gov. Bill Richardson, and President Barack Obama head the list of award winners recently announced by Red Nation Film Festival.

Oscar nominated and Spirit Award nominee “Frozen River” screened last November at the Fifth Annual Red Film Festival on opening night.

“I love this film; after I watched this film at the Los Angeles Film Festival this past summer, I knew this was the film for our festival,” said founder Joanelle Romero. “I went right up to Melissa Leo and told her ‘your work is Oscar-worthy.’ Sony Picture Classics was very generous to us and let us screen this inspiring work.”

Before the feature screening RNFF presented A Night of Tribute Awards Ceremony and honored Obama with the Red Nation Vision Award, Richardson with the Edward Albert Jr. Indigenous Film Award and Brando with the Brando Award.

Award winners include:

• Best Feature – “Frozen River,” Chip Armian, Heather Rae

• Best Director – Suree Towfighnia, “Standing Silent Nation”

• Best Supporting Actress – Misty Upham, “Frozen River”

• Native Women in Film & Television – “When Your Hands Are Tied.”

• Best Producer – Courtney Hermann, “Standing Silent Nation”

• Best Documentary – “Standing Silent Nation”

• Best Short – “Myth of Discovery,” Philomena Salem

• Best Environmental Film – “Red Lake The Sacred Heart of Our People,” Tom Barrett Jr.

• Best Supporting Actress – Misty Upham, “Frozen River”

• Best Audience Award – “The Garden,” Scott Hamilton Kennedy

Los Angeles is considered the entertainment capital of the world and home to the largest American Indian urban community in the country. Red Nation Film Festival was founded six years ago by American Indian actor and award-winning director/producer Joanelle Romero and has become known worldwide as the best venue for marketing American Indian independent films. The annual festival includes world premieres, screenings, Native Women in Film & Television, Film Awards, the Red Nation Film Lab and the Red is Green carpet star-studded Night of Tribute Awards Ceremony.

For more information and a full list of honorees call (818) 904-9256 or visit Red Nation online.