The California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC) at CSUSM will be hosting the annual California American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival, previously known as the San Diego American Indian Film Festival, from Nov. 19 through Nov. 21.

Laila Basquez, Chair of the Native American Student Alliance on campus, commented on the festival’s recent title change.

“From what I was told, it was changed because of San Francisco’s film festival,” said Basquez. “They already trademarked the name American Indian…So we changed it to California American Indian and Indigenous Film Festival.”

The film festival offers many opportunities for spectators in San Diego to enjoy the finest work in American Indian film and media. It will highlight the best works American Indian filmmakers and performers.

Screenings of the documentary “A Thousand Voices” and dramatic short “A Thousand Roads” will be held at the USU Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 19. Director Chris Eyre and screenwriter Scott Garen of “A Thousand Roads” will be making an appearance that night.

There will also be a special screening of “Chasing The Light” before a Q&A session with filmmaker Blackhorse Lowe.

Sketch comedy group, The 1491s, known for their cynicism and indigenous satire, will perform at the film festival.

There will also be a Matinee Youth Track facilitated by filmmaker Steven Paul Judd at Pechanga Resort and Casino, located in Temecula, on Nov. 21. This is followed by the drama “Songs That My Brother Taught Me.” There will be a Q&A with one of the actresses in the film, Irene Bedard, who is best known as the lead voice actress of the Disney movie, “Pocahontas.”

Lastly, the feature drama film “Mekko” will be screened at 8 p.m. with a conversation afterwards with the director Sterlin Harjo.

For more information on tickets, check out /www.caiiff.com/ or call (760) 750-3535.