From isolated internment camps in Southeast Alaska to Congress and the White House, this is the incredible untold story of Aleut Americans. Narrated by EMMY® winner Martin Sheen.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
CAROLYN K. ROBINSON
Executive Producer
(907) 248-4829
carolyn@sprocketheads.com

Aleut Story nominated for Best Documentary Feature at American Indian Film Festival 30th Annual AIFF to be held Nov. 5-12 in San Francisco

Alaska Premier Screening Monday, Nov. 7 Bear Tooth Theatre 5:30 PM and 8:15 PM.

Alaska Public Broadcasting Premiere Tuesday, Nov. 22, 9:00 PM KAKM Anchorage, KYUK Bethel, KUAC Fairbanks and KTOO, Juneau ANCHORAGE

Aleut Story, a new documentary feature film from Anchorage-based SprocketHeads, LLC, has been nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 30th annual American Indian Film Festival. The film, commissioned by the Aleutian Pribilof Heritage Group, Inc., will be screened Monday, Nov. 7th at the Galaxy Theater in San Francisco. AIFF is the world s oldest and most recognized international film exposition dedicated to Native American cinema. AIFF is presented by the American Indian Film Institute; among the institute s founding members is the late actor Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest). More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year s festival. Aleut Story also will be screened for the public at the Bear Tooth Theatre in Anchorage on Monday, Nov. 7th as part of the Alaska Native and American Indian Heritage Month celebration. Aleut Story is a richly textured film resonating with all the elements of a great human drama war, suffering, sacrifice, faith, self-discovery and renewal. Produced for public television, Aleut Story will make its broadcast premier next month in Alaska and on stations nationwide. Narrated by EMMY® winner Martin Sheen, the film features compelling interviews with Aleut internment survivors, rare archival footage, commentary by leading historians and key national figures including U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young. Aleut Story also includes the voice talent of actor John O Hurley (Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars) and Native flute and vocals by GRAMMY® winner Mary Youngblood, who is part Aleut. Aleut Story nominated for Best Documentary Feature Page

Filmed on location in Alaska and Washington, D.C., Aleut Story presents the extraordinary true account of Aleut Americans internment during World War II and their epic struggle for the restoration of their civil and human rights. In 1942, as World War II invaded Alaska, Aleut Americans were taken from their homes and sent to isolated internment camps. Death was ever-present in the camps. An estimated 10 percent of the men, women and children sent to the camps would die there a death rate comparable to that suffered by Americans in foreign prisoner of war camps. As the Aleuts prayed for deliverance, friendly forces looted their homes and churches in the Aleutian and Pribilof islands. Those who survived would fight for their rights in the nation s courts and on Capitol Hill. In a historic action one that continues to influence our lives and our nation s ideals Aleuts joined Japanese Americans in seeking wartime reparations from the federal government. Aleut Americans prevailed, but their story remains virtually unknown to their countrymen. A powerful and provocative film, Aleut Story gives voice to Aleut Americans and serves as a poignant reminder we must all be vigilant in defense of individual freedoms. Aleut Story is produced by SprocketHeads, LLC for the Aleutian Pribilof Heritage Group. The film is presented by Native American Public Telecommunications, which receives major funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Distribution is provided by American Public Television. Major funding for Aleut Story was provided by NAPT, the Rasmuson Foundation, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Restitution Trust, and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundations. Additional funding was provided by First Alaskans, Inc., Aleutians Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA), Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, Ounalashka Corporation, Alaska Airlines, CIRI Foundation, Aleut Corporation, At-Sea Processors Association, Atka Fisherman s Association, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Tanaq, and Fowler & Associates, CPA. Film Credits: Executive Producer Carolyn K. Robinson Writer/Director/Producer Marla Williams Director of Photography Steven L. Rychetnik Editors Loren Church, Peter Coan, and Steven L. Rychetnik Associate Producer Jessi Roullier Executive Producer, Aleutian Pribilof Heritage Group, Inc. Maj. Gen. Jake Lestenkof (ret.) About Native American Public Telecommunications NAPT empowers, educates and entertains and supports the creation, promotion and distribution of Native media. Press should contact Penny Costello, at 402-472-0496 or via email to pcostello1@unl.edu. For more information about NAPT programs and services visit www.nativetelecom.org. About American Public Television For 44 years, APT has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations. APT distributes more than 10,000 hours of programming including JFK: Breaking the News, Simply Ming, Globe Trekker, Rick Steves' Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Battlefield Britain, Jungle, America's Test Kitchen, Lidia's Family Table and classic movies. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. Media inquiries regarding APT should be directed to Donna Hardwick, at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to Donna_Hardwick@APTonline.org. For more information about APT programs and services visit at www.APTonline.org