NISEI (nee-say) is a creative exploration of the biracial experience of skier, Sierra Schlag. While in Japan, she is seen as white and while in America, she is seen as Japanese and never accepted as her full self. Through the lens of skiing, Schlag finds herself on a journey to self-discovery within the two cultures she has ties to.
Nisei: a person born in North America whose parent(s) were immigrants from Japan.
This film was part of VIMFF 2025 and is no longer available for viewing.
Iz La Motte is an adventure photographer and filmmaker who was raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York and educated in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Today, Iz splits her time between the deep snow and sharp ridgelines of Utah’s Wasatch Range and the serene green spaces that surround her off-grid cabin in the woods of Vermont. She has developed her craft into one that focuses on the human story and its relation to the world. Iz believes that everyone has a story to tell. Her passion lies in working with individuals and brands to tell their own impactful stories in a way that feels true to them.
Her work has been seen in marketing campaigns across the outdoor industry, in print publications such as Freeskier and Backcountry Magazine, and in the film festival circuit at Mountainfilm, Banff Mountain Film Festival, and more.
Sharing our festival will help us grow and get important film content to new viewers!
