Navajo-Language Romantic Comedy Premieres at Fort Smith International Film Festival

At the Fort Smith International Film Festival, filmmaker Shonie Delarosa debuted The Arrangement, the first feature-length romantic comedy filmed in the Navajo language.

Inspired by family traditions and personal connections, the film explores arranged marriage, a practice once common in Navajo culture. Shot in remote desert locations under extreme heat, the production faced challenges but became a milestone for cultural preservation.

Funded in part by the Navajo Nation Film Office, the project required most dialogue to be in Navajo, underscoring the urgency of revitalizing the language.

Click below to watch the Interview

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