On Friday, March 7, filmmaker Billy Luther will introduce an excerpt of his documentary short "Kenji" to open a discussion on his approach to writing and directing. Whether in features or shorts, documentaries or narrative films, Luther – who is of Navajo, Hopi and Laguna Pueblo heritage – has told stories centered on Native characters and communities.

Free and open to all, this one-hour program will take place at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Luther’s most-recent feature film, "Frybread Face and Me," was distributed in 2023 by Array and is available on Netflix after winning awards at SXSW and the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2007, his feature documentary "Miss Navajo" premiered at Sundance and aired nationally on PBS’  “Independent Lens." His second documentary feature, "Grab," premiered at the 2011 Sundance Festival and has been screened at over 80 film festivals worldwide. In 2018, Luther launched the PBS web series "alter-NATIVE" as part of their "IndieLens StoryCast" series.

While in residence at MacDowell, Luther is developing a feature film script based on the true story of a young Native American man who moved to Hollywood from the Oneida reservation to pursue stand-up comedy.

Doors at Bass Hall will open at 7 p.m., and the program will begin at 7:30 p.m. To celebrate the return of MacDowell Downtown after a winter hiatus, beverages and light refreshments will be served after the talkback.

If you go

Who: Filmmaker Billy Luther

What:MacDowell Downtown

Where: Monadnock Center for History and Culture, 19 Grove St., Peterborough

When: March 7, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.