Cody Lightning (born August 8, 1986) is a Cree actor and filmmaker from Edmonton, Treaty 6, Alberta, Canada.Kerry Benjoe, "Indigenous film world filled with people passionate about their art". Regina Leader-Post, December 12, 2015. He is the son of film director and actress Georgina Lightning and brother of actors Crystle Lightning and William Lightning. He was a Young Artist Award nominee in 1999 for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor, for Smoke Signals (1998), and won the American Indian Film Festival award for Best Actor in 2007 for Four Sheets to the Wind.
In 2023, he wrote, directed and starred in his directorial debut film Hey, Viktor!, a mockumentary in which a fictionalized version of himself struggles to reestablish his faded career as an actor by creating his own sequel to Smoke Signals.Gary M. Kramer, "'We need to laugh': 'Hey, Viktor' is a much-needed send-up of Native dysfunction and Hollywood". Salon, June 12, 2023. In 2024, he received two Canadian Screen Award nominations for his work on the film, for Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film and Best Original Screenplay, at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards."BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024.
His second feature film, Smudge the Blades, premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival,Kate Erbland, TIFF Adds More Than 60 New Titles, Including Festival Winners ‘La Gradiva’ and ‘Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!’". IndieWire, August 4, 2026. where it won the Best Canadian Discovery Award.Pete Hammond, "‘La Bola Negra’ Wins Oscar Predictive Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award". Deadline Hollywood, September 20, 2026.
Selected filmography
Year Film Role Notes1993GeronimoYoung DaklugieTV movie1997 The BraveFrankie1998Smoke SignalsYoung Victor JosephNominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor1999Pepper AnnDave (voice)Episode: "Dances with Ignorance/Girl Power" The Wild ThornberrysJim (voice)Episode: "Tamper Proof Seal"2001ManicKenny2003DreamkeeperSixth Brother2005BrickThe Lug2007Four Sheets to the WindCufe SmallhillAmerican Indian Film Festival for Best Actor2008Older than AmericaDwayne2021Run Woman RunMike2023Hey, Viktor!CodyAlso director, writer2024EchoCousin BiscuitsRez BallMicah Tso2025 The LowdownWaylonRecurring role
References
External links