“Death Mask,” a short film written, directed, and produced by University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) senior David J. Aberle, has been selected to screen at the 19th Annual Los Angeles Skins Festival (LA SKINS FEST), the largest Native American film festival in the U.S. and a major launching ground for Indian Country’s most talked-about films. Created as part of Aberle’s studies at TFTV, the film will screen on November 21 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, California.
Aberle is a Diné (Navajo) filmmaker, director, and storyteller dedicated to bringing Indigenous narratives to the forefront of cinema. During his time at TFTV, where he is pursuing a degree in film and television production, he has written, directed, and produced multiple short films exploring culture, identity, and spirituality. As both a filmmaker and an Indigenous medicine person, his work weaves themes of resilience, tradition, and self-discovery, ensuring authentic representation of Native voices and underrepresented communities.
Set in Gleeson, Arizona, “Death Mask” follows a Medicine Man as he leads a paranormal investigation into a land inhabited by restless spirits. Drawing upon Indigenous knowledge and ancestral wisdom, he communicates with tormented souls and ancient beings. Alongside fellow investigator Damien Charley (Diné), Aberle collaborated on the film with classmates Steven Saldaña (cinematographer), Elias Bensch (night vision camera) and Donovan Heaney (audio)…