The Red Nation Film Festival was founded in 1995 by Joanelle Romero, also its curator.

[1] Monkey Beach swept the awards, winning Outstanding Actress In A Leading Role (Tina Marie Lameman), Outstanding Actor In A Leading Role (Nathaniel Arcand), Best Director (Loretta Todd), and Best Picture.

[5] As of March 2021[update], the festival was set to be held virtually again throughout November of that year, and additionally shown on Red Nation Television Network.

[3] The Red Nation Film Festival has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to partner with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to bring Native films into the mainstream.

[3] As of 2019[update], Joanelle Romero was working to make the festival Oscar-qualifying to improve the featured films' chances of being recognized in the Academy Awards.