Jump to content

Draft:Regina Simons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Regina Simons
Simons on set of the film Grey (2025)
Born
Regina Dezbah "Peachy" Simons

Provo, Utah, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materWeber State University
University of Utah (MFA, 2025)
Occupation(s)Actress, filmmaker, cultural advocate
Years active1979–present
Organization(s)Native American Council, Weber State University
Known forChristmas Lilies of the Field (1979); Grey (2025)
AwardsEmerging Filmmaker Award – LA Skins Fest (2024)

Regina Dezbah Simons is an American actress, filmmaker, and Native American cultural advocate. She first gained recognition as a child actor in the NBC television film Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979) and later became active in Indigenous representation and higher education leadership at Weber State University. Simons is the writer and director of the films Pretendian (2024) and Grey (2025), works that explore Native identity, intergenerational resilience, and media representation, with her films featured by PBS Utah and at national Indigenous film festivals.

Early life and education

[edit]

Simons was born in Provo, Utah, the daughter of Jeff and Betty Simons. At age five, she was cast in the NBC television film Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979). She later attended Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, where she became active in student government and the Native American Council.[1] She pursued graduate studies at the University of Utah, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Media Arts in 2025.[2]

Acting career

[edit]

Simons began her acting career as a child, appearing at age five in the NBC television film Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979), a made-for-TV sequel to the Academy Award–winning Lilies of the Field (1963). She portrayed Pokey, one of the Orem children cast in the production directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Billy Dee Williams and Maria Schell. The film aired nationally on NBC on December 16, 1979.[3][4]

Under her married name, Simons later appeared in the independent short film Hero to Me (2005), produced by FourSite Studios and directed by Halford. The film premiered at Weber State University and went on to compete at the Hollywood DVD Festival.[5]

Academic and cultural leadership

[edit]

In 2002, Simons (then Martin) was appointed to the Student Senate of the Weber State University Student Association. The following year she served as Executive Vice President of the university’s Native American Council and co-organized the 32nd Annual Native American Pow Wow. In an interview with The Signpost in 2003, Simons reflected on her experience attending Weber State University and participating in the university's annual Pow Wow, noting its importance in fostering Native community and celebration.[6]

Sundance appearance

[edit]

In January 2003, The Salt Lake Tribune featured Simons in its Currents section covering the Sundance Film Festival as part of a feature on festival fashion and culture.[7]

Filmmaking

[edit]

Simons’ graduate film work explores Native identity, intergenerational resilience, and the impact of media representation. Her MFA thesis film, Grey (2025), blends hybrid documentary and performance to examine identity, ancestry, and the tension between visibility and authenticity. In 2024, her short film Pretendian was featured in the PBS Utah documentary Hollywood in Utah, which celebrates 100 years of filmmaking in the state.[8]

Later work and recognition

[edit]

In 2024, Simons received the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the LA Skins Fest, recognizing her contributions to Indigenous storytelling and film.[9] Her short film Pretendian (2024) screened at the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival in 2025.[10] Her MFA thesis film Grey (2025) was shown at the LA Skins Fest the same year.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Student Senate Fills Three Vacant Positions". The Signpost (Weber State University). January 16, 2002.
  2. ^ "College of Fine Arts Convocation Program". Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah College of Fine Arts. May 2, 2025. p. 47. Retrieved October 25, 2025. Simons, Regina Dezbah, Film and Media Arts
  3. ^ "Utah County Folks to Appear in Network Christmas Film". Provo Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. October 1, 1979. Retrieved October 26, 2025. Utah County residents should be more interested in the NBC television movie Christmas Lilies of the Field, as many of their friends and neighbors are participants in the film. Regina "Peachy" Simons portrays Pokey.
  4. ^ "Orem Children Appearing on National TV Sunday". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. December 14, 1979. Retrieved October 26, 2025. Four Orem youngsters will have national television exposure when they appear in NBC's Christmas Lilies of the Field.
  5. ^ "Hero to Me Premieres at Weber State". The Signpost (Weber State University). Ogden, Utah. December 5, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "Pow Wow Mixes Festive, Sacred". The Signpost (Weber State University). April 11, 2003.
  7. ^ "Styles That Go Beyond the Basic Black". The Salt Lake Tribune. January 14, 2003.
  8. ^ "Hollywood in Utah". PBS Utah. 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025. Documentary celebrating 100 years of filmmaking in Utah, featuring Regina Simons and her short film Pretendian (2024).
  9. ^ "13th Annual Native American Media Awards – Recap". LA Skins Fest. December 18, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2025. This year's award winners included Regina Simons – Emerging Filmmaker.
  10. ^ "Two Films by Filmmaker Regina Simons". Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival. 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "Grey". LA Skins Fest. November 20, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
[edit]


Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Native American actresses Category:Native American filmmakers Category:People from Orem, Utah Category:Weber State University alumni Category:University of Utah alumni Category:Living people Category:1970s births

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Regina_Simons&oldid=1319583252"