History shows Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) climbed over mountains and scrambled rocks for trading purposes since time out of mind. Today, few Indigenous members of the islands see themselves reflected in the modern sports’ culture. Recognizing the need to bridge the connection, Skye Kolealani Razon-Olds founded Kanaka Climbers. Through her non-profit work, Skye and her family are calling on the climbing community to advocate for the protection of sacred spaces, including land and cultural resources, that are under the threat of development.
This film was part of VIMFF 2023, VIMFF 2023 Tour and is no longer available for viewing.
After his time as an enlisted Forward Observer in the US Army, Andrew has spent the last decade working as a humanitarian & filmmaker in sub-Saharan Africa. Most recently, he was the producer (p.g.a.), cinematographer & editor of KIFARU (Audience Award at Full Frame, Grand Jury Winner at Slamdance). As the producer of KIFARU, Andrew secured exclusive access to the story of Sudan – the last northern white rhino male in existence – allowing the crew to capture the story of extinction in real-time for the first time in history. As the editor for KIFARU, he was nominated by Jackson Wild for Best Editing. Prior to that, Andrew spent three years building relationships within northern Kenya’s poaching network, unveiling the intricacies of the illegal ivory trade as the producer of WHEN LAMBS BECOME LIONS (Best Editing, Tribeca Film Festival); a recipient of Sundance’s Documentary Production Grant in 2017.
Andrew is a proud descendant of Chief Tarhe of the Huron-Wendat (First Nations of Canada). He also teaches directing at UNC School of the Arts in the film program and is a programmer for feature documentaries for Slamdance Film Festival since 2021.
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