The Native American Indian Video and Film Festival of the Southeast was founded in 1996 by Dr. Will Goins, a visionary scholar, filmmaker, educator, and advocate for Indigenous voices in the Southeast. Established at a time when Native stories were largely absent from mainstream film spaces, the festival was created to provide a platform for Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and communities to share their stories on their own terms—rooted in lived experience, cultural knowledge, and regional history.

Dr. Goins was also a co-founder of the Greenville International Film Festival, reflecting his broader commitment to film as a tool for education, cultural exchange, and community dialogue. Throughout his career, he was widely respected for his work in Indigenous studies, folklife, art, and media, and he received numerous awards and recognitions for his scholarship, artwork, cultural advocacy, and contributions to film and the humanities in the Southeast.

Tragically, Dr. Goins passed away in 2017, during the 21st annual Native American Indian Video and Film Festival of the Southeast. Following his passing, collaborators, community leaders, and partners committed themselves to continuing the festival in his honor—ensuring that his vision for Indigenous storytelling, mentorship, and cultural preservation would endure.

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the Native American Indian Video and Film Festival of the Southeast, a significant milestone that reflects three decades of resilience, collaboration, and dedication to Native voices. As one of the longest-running Indigenous film festivals in the region, the festival continues to connect generations of filmmakers, scholars, students, and community members, reaffirming the power of Indigenous media as a form of cultural preservation, education, and self-determination.