An Award-Winning Student Documentary Is Coming to Billings for One Night

There are some evenings about being present, about listening, about sitting in the same room with stories that don’t always get space in everyday life. That’s what Dinner and a Documentary at Skyview High School this Thursday, January 15, is really about.

Yes, there will be food. Yes, there will be films. But more than anything, this is an invitation for the Billings community to come together for a couple of hours to listen as Indigenous students share pieces of themselves through storytelling.

Starting the Night by Coming Together

The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner. Sitting down together sets the tone. It’s not rushed. It’s not transactional. It’s a chance to arrive, take a breath, and be part of something communal before the lights dim. At 5:45 p.m., the focus shifts to film.

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Stories Told by Indigenous Youth, In Their Own Voices

The first documentary, “Walking Between Two Worlds: The Urban Indigenous Youth Experience,” recently earned a 2025 National Student Production Award for Nonfiction Long Form. That recognition is important, but what matters more is why it resonates. The film explores what it means to grow up Indigenous in an urban world. The balancing act, the pride, and the pressure. The quiet moments most people never see.

The second film, “Finding Our Own Way,” continues that conversation. It’s newer, more intimate, and centered on identity, resilience, and the deeply personal process of figuring out who you are and where you belong. These aren’t stories told about Indigenous youth, they’re stories told by them.

Students Take the Lead After the Screen Goes Dark

At 6:45 p.m., the films give way to conversation. Students will take the stage for a panel discussion, offering reflections on the films and their own experiences. This may be the most powerful part of the night. Not because it’s polished, but because it’s real. Young people speaking honestly, and a community choosing to listen.

An Open Invitation to the Billings Community

This event is free and open to the public, and it’s hosted by the Billings Public Schools Indigenous Education Department. Students must attend with a parent, guardian, or advisor, and all participants are expected to follow school policies. But beyond logistics, this night is for anyone who believes that stories matter. For anyone who wants to better understand the experiences of Indigenous youth right here in our community.

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Choosing to Be There, Together

The event takes place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Skyview High School, with doors opening around 5:15 p.m. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged. You can register to attend this free event here.

Showing up says something. It says these stories matter. It says students’ voices matter. And it says that in Billings, we’re willing to sit together, listen, and learn from one another.