Malakye Zaayin Tsosie, a CU Denver Film & Television student, has created a beautifully personal film that is resonating across cultures and generations. His short documentary, Woven Together, recently screened at the highly selective and prestigious Santa Fe International Film Festival, offers an intimate portrayal of Malakye’s great-grandmother, Navajo rug weaver whose wisdom and resilience have inspired her grandson, her family, and the film’s audiences.

Woven Together is described as a “love letter” to Malakye’s great-grandmother, Laura Tsosie, that he made as a gift to his family. “I wanted to share her story,” he said. "My generation has a responsibility to keep our elders' stories alive, and creating this film—and seeing how viewers have connected with it—has truly proven that."

 

A Storyteller’s Vision Rooted in Navajo Heritage

Growing up on the Navajo reservation and attending high school in New Mexico, Malakye’s role as a storyteller has been shaped by both rich traditions and modern media. He regularly went to the movies with his uncle, which spurred his love for cinema, but says he seldom saw indigenous representation.

"I rarely saw myself on screen, and I couldn’t always share an experience with what was portrayed. This film is a way of sharing my truth,” he said. “Because I am Navajo, I don’t know how to tell my story from any other perspective.”

The film narrative is structured around the concept of the hogan, a traditional Navajo dwelling, reflecting Navajo life stages and cultural values. This approach came to life as Malakye navigated the challenges of filming a generational story with authenticity. “There’s something shared between my grandmother’s process in weaving and my own creative process in making a film,” Malakye remarked, drawing a parallel between her art and his own.

 

Becoming a Filmmaker at CU Denver

Since enrolling at CU Denver in 2021, Malakye has grown from an aspiring storyteller into a skilled filmmaker. Here, he found the technical skills and community he needed. The cohort model of the program gave him the structure to build a film crew of his classmates––producer Lauren O’Brien and cinematographer Drew Bouchard. 

Malakye balances life as both a student and filmmaker, finding that his academic responsibilities as a film student align with the filmmaking process. At CU Denver, the Film & Television’s curriculum supports creative projects by providing course work that gives him the opportunity to plan, write, execute and edit.

With funding from CU Denver’s EUReCA! Grant Program, Malakye and his team tackled the logistical challenges of Woven Together. They incorporated the setting of Whitehorse Lake, New Mexico, a community where those featured in his film grew up. His dedication to honoring his grandmother’s story was echoed by Drew and Lauren, who worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life.

Malakye credits the mentorship of his professors, Hans Rosenwinkel and Andrew Bateman, as essential to his growth. “I came here as a storyteller, not a filmmaker, but I learned to trust the process of learning and making mistakes,” Malakye said. “My professors encouraged me to bring my voice and my culture authentically to the screen.”

“Malakye cares deeply about his work, and it shows in every assignment, not just the final project. This dedication earns him respect from his classmates, who in turn want to collaborate with him—creating a strong crew dynamic that leads to great filmmaking,” said Film & Television instructor Andrew Bateman. “Malakye approaches each team member with respect and openness, even in tough situations, which fosters a sense of belonging that’s essential to a successful project.”

A Unique Perspective and Universal Message

Screening at the Santa Fe International Film Festival was a dream come true for Malakye and his team, a testament to their hard work and his grandmother’s legacy. As Woven Together continues to reach new audiences through film festival selections, Malakye hopes it will resonate with viewers from all backgrounds. “So many people who don’t share my background still found common ground in the story,” he said. “It reminded them of their own relationships with their grandparents.” 

With graduation approaching in 2025, Malakye is excited to complete his senior thesis film. Yiyíistsʼą́ą́ʼ (listen) will focus on a Navajo language radio station in Gallup, New Mexico, and the role of language in preserving cultural identity. Post-graduation, Malakye plans to continue making films and is exploring the possibility of doing fictional projects or attending graduate school.  

As he reflects on his journey, Malakye encourages young filmmakers to stay true to their identities. "It’s a privilege to tell stories and to be of service to others who have stories to tell," he said. Through his films, Malakye Tsosie continues to build connections between generations and cultures, preserving his family’s heritage and bringing Navajo stories to the broader world.

                    

Malakye Zaayin Tsosie, a CU Denver Film & Television student, has created a beautifully personal film that is resonating across cultures and generations. His short documentary, Woven Together, recently screened at the highly selective and prestigious Santa Fe International Film Festival, offers an intimate portrayal of Malakye’s great-grandmother, Navajo rug weaver whose wisdom and resilience have inspired her grandson, her family, and the film’s audiences.

Woven Together is described as a “love letter” to Malakye’s great-grandmother, Laura Tsosie, that he made as a gift to his family. “I wanted to share her story,” he said. "My generation has a responsibility to keep our elders' stories alive, and creating this film—and seeing how viewers have connected with it—has truly proven that."

 

A Storyteller’s Vision Rooted in Navajo Heritage

Growing up on the Navajo reservation and attending high school in New Mexico, Malakye’s role as a storyteller has been shaped by both rich traditions and modern media. He regularly went to the movies with his uncle, which spurred his love for cinema, but says he seldom saw indigenous representation.

"I rarely saw myself on screen, and I couldn’t always share an experience with what was portrayed. This film is a way of sharing my truth,” he said. “Because I am Navajo, I don’t know how to tell my story from any other perspective.”

The film narrative is structured around the concept of the hogan, a traditional Navajo dwelling, reflecting Navajo life stages and cultural values. This approach came to life as Malakye navigated the challenges of filming a generational story with authenticity. “There’s something shared between my grandmother’s process in weaving and my own creative process in making a film,” Malakye remarked, drawing a parallel between her art and his own.

 

Becoming a Filmmaker at CU Denver

Since enrolling at CU Denver in 2021, Malakye has grown from an aspiring storyteller into a skilled filmmaker. Here, he found the technical skills and community he needed. The cohort model of the program gave him the structure to build a film crew of his classmates––producer Lauren O’Brien and cinematographer Drew Bouchard. 

Malakye balances life as both a student and filmmaker, finding that his academic responsibilities as a film student align with the filmmaking process. At CU Denver, the Film & Television’s curriculum supports creative projects by providing course work that gives him the opportunity to plan, write, execute and edit.

With funding from CU Denver’s EUReCA! Grant Program, Malakye and his team tackled the logistical challenges of Woven Together. They incorporated the setting of Whitehorse Lake, New Mexico, a community where those featured in his film grew up. His dedication to honoring his grandmother’s story was echoed by Drew and Lauren, who worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life.

Malakye credits the mentorship of his professors, Hans Rosenwinkel and Andrew Bateman, as essential to his growth. “I came here as a storyteller, not a filmmaker, but I learned to trust the process of learning and making mistakes,” Malakye said. “My professors encouraged me to bring my voice and my culture authentically to the screen.”

“Malakye cares deeply about his work, and it shows in every assignment, not just the final project. This dedication earns him respect from his classmates, who in turn want to collaborate with him—creating a strong crew dynamic that leads to great filmmaking,” said Film & Television instructor Andrew Bateman. “Malakye approaches each team member with respect and openness, even in tough situations, which fosters a sense of belonging that’s essential to a successful project.”

A Unique Perspective and Universal Message

Screening at the Santa Fe International Film Festival was a dream come true for Malakye and his team, a testament to their hard work and his grandmother’s legacy. As Woven Together continues to reach new audiences through film festival selections, Malakye hopes it will resonate with viewers from all backgrounds. “So many people who don’t share my background still found common ground in the story,” he said. “It reminded them of their own relationships with their grandparents.” 

With graduation approaching in 2025, Malakye is excited to complete his senior thesis film. Yiyíistsʼą́ą́ʼ (listen) will focus on a Navajo language radio station in Gallup, New Mexico, and the role of language in preserving cultural identity. Post-graduation, Malakye plans to continue making films and is exploring the possibility of doing fictional projects or attending graduate school.  

As he reflects on his journey, Malakye encourages young filmmakers to stay true to their identities. "It’s a privilege to tell stories and to be of service to others who have stories to tell," he said. Through his films, Malakye Tsosie continues to build connections between generations and cultures, preserving his family’s heritage and bringing Navajo stories to the broader world.