Wild West Film Festival

Saturday Oct 12 & Sunday Oct 13, 2024

Downtown Vacaville, CA 95688

The buffalo, or American bison, holds significant importance in the history and culture of the Wild West. It was a keystone species on the Great Plains, central to the lives and survival of Indigenous peoples, providing food, clothing, shelter, and tools. The buffalo was not just a source of sustenance; it also held spiritual and cultural significance, often featuring in Native American rituals, stories, and traditions.

During the westward expansion of the 19th century, the buffalo became a symbol of the untamed wilderness and freedom of the American frontier. However, they were hunted nearly to extinction by settlers, railroad companies, and the U.S. Army as part of efforts to force Indigenous tribes onto reservations and clear land for expansion. This devastation of the buffalo population was a tragic aspect of the Wild West era, representing the broader impact of colonization and the loss of Indigenous ways of life. Today, the buffalo is often seen as a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the need for conservation and respect for native cultures and wildlife.

Toni Staniewicz

Executive Producer

Toni Staniewicz is a 5th generation Solano County resident. She is an avid volunteer for the Onstage Vacaville Organization and works as an Executive Producer over events and programs. She is the Founder of the Wild West Film Festival 2019 and Comedy Cash Cow Competition 2024. When not tirelessly volunteering for the arts, she is an American Director, Producer, Actor, Casting Director, and Content Creator. Member of the Screen Actor’s Guild and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmy’s). With numerous film and television projects under her belt. She has worked alongside of Hollywood’s biggest talents in the industry. In 2018 she worked on the 5 time winning Golden Globes and Oscar nominated film Lady Bird. 2018 Award Winner of the California Film Foundation “Vanguard”. 2018 Winner of the Equality Film Festival “Trail Blazer” Award. 2018 Award Winner of the El Dorado Film Commissioner Award. She is a California native. She was recently named The Frank Casanova – Film Arts Champion 2023 People Choice Award by the Sacramento Film Festival.

Fun facts: Toni has a passion for rodeos, anything horse, farming, agriculture and American Wild West history. She is a Wild West historian and constitutionalist. She can drive pretty much anything with wheels and an engine however, she prefers possessing the skills to be a Master Equestrian, Animal Trainer & Stunt Coordinator professional. She is the Founder of Inspire Humanity Foundation. Her passion for giving back is funding and discovering stories that are yet to be told through her documentaries and independent films. Toni’s next adventure is writing a children’s book about her favorite palomino horse and completing her documentary on the A living legend, 15 Time World Champion and Hall Of Famer referred to as the Notorious “One Armed Bandit” John Payne the greatest rodeo performer of our time.