BREAKING NEWS
After a successful run in London,
Artivist prepares for New York and Tribeca Cinemas
LIMITED ENGAGEMENT! On March 25, 26, and 27th the ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL comes to New York at the Tribeca Cinemas located at 54 Varick Street, New York .
Tickets are $12 for the general public and $10 for students, seniors, and NGO, charities and staff. Purchase tickets at www.tribecacinemas.com.
Screening films from around the world, “ARTIVIST” is the first international film festival dedicated to raising awareness for Humanity, Animals, and the Environment. Our mission is to strengthen the voice of socially conscious artists - "Artivists" - while raising public awareness for social global causes.
The upcoming ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL in New York premieres with the film “Percy Sutton: A Man For All Seasons”. This incredible film chronicles the life of Percy Ellis Sutton, (November 24, 1920 – December 26, 2009) an American man who was one of the nation's most prominent black political and business leaders. As a civil-rights activist and lawyer, he was aFreedom Rider and the legal representative for Malcolm X. He was the highest-ranking African-American elected official in New York City when he was Manhattan borough president from 1966 to 1977, the longest tenure at that position. He later became an entrepreneur whose investments included the New York Amsterdam News , Inner City Broadcasting and the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
=== OPENING NIGHT ===
THURSDAY MARCH 25th , 7 PM
“Percy Sutton: A Man For All Seasons” directed by Jamal Joseph
FRIDAY MARCH 26th 7 PM.
“The One Wayz” directed by Linda Chavez
"The One Wayz’ is about a fourteen-year-old boy Chato who is forced to grow up too soon when immigration agents take his father from his home and deport him to Mexico. In his father's absence, Chato grapples with becoming the man of the house, and struggles to match up to the image of what his mother wants him to be. Chato's brown skin has everyone wondering when he'll turn delinquent, but he hopes to find a brighter future for himself between the pages of his books. When thirteen-year-old Ryan, a middle-class white kid caught in the crossfire of his parents' divorce, moves in across the street, he and Chato form a friendship that shakes their low-income Latino neighborhood. Though they're as different as night and day, the painful reality of their broken homes brings the boys face-to-face with the same decision: whether or not to get jumped into a gang. Chato and Ryan are left navigating this neighborhood, known as the One-Ways, where every street tries to convince them there's only one way they can go.
"Children of War" directed by Bryan Single
Set in the east African country of Uganda, “Children of War”, directed by Bryan Single, is a film that chronicles the daily struggle towards rehabilitation and reconciliation by a group of recently escaped child soldiers of the Lord’s Resistance Army, one of the world’s longest running and most brutal militias. To add perspective to the stories of these children, the film also follows the chief priest of the Lord’s Resistance Army, as well as recipients of the Army’s professed miracles and victims of its atrocities. Together these individuals will illuminate the pitfalls, challenges and triumphs of a war-sick society desperately attempting to transition from violence to peace.
ot;>FRIDAY MARCH 26th, 7:30 PM.
“Rough Cut” directed by Taghreed Saadeh
"Rough Cut" is a short documentary about the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza after Israeli forces attacked on 27 December 2008.
“Intelligent Life: Change Your Mind, Change Your World” directed by Brian Malone
"Intelligent Life: Change Your Mind Change Your World" explores the concept that the time has come for us to take responsibility for the choices that we make in our everyday lives and the effect those choices have on us and on the planet. But how? Intelligent Life is a stark and unfiltered examination of the unintended consequences of modern American lives. Behind the scenes, our own convenience and comfort are often the greatest causes of suffering and destruction. Shot in high-definition and in a photo-essay style, Intelligent Life is a visually stunning portrait of modern American life. The glorious soundtrack that accompanies the film features a number of Grammy Award-nominated recording artists. The film is a winner of the Green Seal from the Environmental Media Association.
SATURDAY MARCH 27th 6 PM
“Poliwood” directed by Barry Levinson.
The documentary, produced by Tim Daly, Robin Bronk and Robert E, Baruc, talks about the Democratic and Republican National Conventions held in 2008 during the USA Presidential Elections. Legendary Academy Award®-winning director Barry Levinson sets out to explore the collision and collusion between politics and Hollywood. The film gives the viewer a front-row seat and backroom access to the most significant presidential campaign of the 21st century. Featuring interviews with high-profile celebrities and powerful political figures, Poliwood gives insider access to the influence Hollywood has over today's political process as we discover the thin line between politician and actor, news and entertainment, policy and tabloid. Trailing a number of politically active actors, writers, directors, and musicians, this documentary is sure to spark debate about the role media and celebrities should have in modern-day politics.
SATURDAY MARCH 27th 6:30 PM. “8” (various directors).
“8” is a feature length film made up of eight short films. These center on eight different themes and are directed by eight famous film directors who, through this medium, express their opinions on the progress made and the setbacks and challenges faced by our planet today. The French production company LDM Productions promote the eight Millennium Development Goals adopted by 191 governments in 2000 to be achieved by 2015. Each filmmaker had "carte blanche" to address one of these goals. The eight film directors give us their own point of view, without compromise. Directors include Abderrahmane Sissako, Gael Garcia Bernal, Mira Nair, Gus Van Sant, Jan Kounen, Gaspar Noe, Jane Campion and Wim Wenders and address issues ranging from poverty and hunger to gender equality and water.
SATURDAY MARCH 27th 8:15 PM
“Intersection” directed by Jae Woe Kim
"Intersection” was produced by MTV Exit, MTV Asia with USAID. “Intersection” is a stark, stylish, and high quality Anime (Japanese-style animation) that provides a hard-hitting look at human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Asia. It is a riveting story told from the perspectives of five individuals who all play a part in the trafficking chain: the victim, the trafficker, the mamasan (brothel owner), the brothel client and an undercover cop. The half-hour film features the voices of a Thai film star Ananda Everingham and MTV Asia VJ, Taya Rogers (English version). “Intersection” was produced by Korean animation studio, JM Animation, the award-winning studio behind the highly-acclaimed, visually haunting, 'Wonderful Days' (Sky Blue). The soundtrack features music by UK rock band, Radiohead and Thievery Corporation.
“Gramercy Stories” directed by Joyce Chopra.
“Gramercy Stories” is an inspiring look inside a unique residence in Manhattan that is providing a safe home for 25 gay and transgender teenagers who have experienced violence at home and on the streets. Told from their candid, often witty perspective, the film follows these courageous kids as they strive to remake their lives.
SATURDAY MARCH 27th 8:30 PM
“Abe” directed by Khen Shalem
>In “Abe", the summer sun shines mesmerizing light down onto a lovely cottage in the country. Abe, a bright 6 year old Golden Retriever (51 in dog years), is lazing on the porch; he is the beloved dog of a kind, elderly widow. Every day, Abe faithfully brings his owner the newspaper, sits with her while she eats, and occasionally gets a little mischievous when she tries to bathe him. One day, she doesn't come to the front door for her newspaper and Abe's world begins to change.
“Belonging" directed by Gerard Ungerman and Audrey Brohy and narrated by Dustin Hoffman.
The Inuit inflected “Belonging” leavens its informational load and scarifying message with dazzling shots of the Canadian Arctic and, ultimately, a very hopeful message. It serves as a primer on both how we got into this mess and what we can do about getting out of it. Not just science, but religion too, can be brought to bear to open our eyes and strengthen our resolve. The more natural resources are consumed, the more the human population explodes, increasing the need for more resources. This Catch-22 has resulted in massive numbers of species extinctions, dead zones in the ocean that are increasing in size and number every year, and more horrors than most people can even bear to contemplate.
Artivist Film Festival Prepares
For 7th Successful Season
Los Angeles, CA - February 19, 2010
After completing another successful festival in Hollywood this past December, the Artivist Film Festival is already underway this year, preparing for festival events in London on March 5 and 6 at the historic Shaw Theatre, in New York City on March 25-27 at the Tribeca Cinemas, and in Hollywood on October 5-9 at the renowned Egyptian Theatre.
On March 22nd, in conjunction with its upcoming Film Program in New York City, ARTIVIST has been invited to participate in "World Water Day" at the UNITED NATIONS. The United Nations General Assembly designated by resolution March 22nd of each year as “World Water Day”, which has been observed since 1993. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is coordinating the organization of the “World Water Day 2010” campaign, and has chosen Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities as its theme. ARTIVIST is partnering with the FRIENDS of the UNITED NATIONS, through their CEO, Dr, Noel Brown .
“ARTIVIST” is the first
international film festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's
Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy. Our mission is to strengthen the
voice of socially conscious artists - "Artivists" - while raising
public awareness for social global causes.
Since its inception in 2004, the Artivist Film Festival has showcased
400+ films representing more than 45 countries, and has reached millions of
people with its traveling film festivals in Hollywood, London, Tokyo, Mexico
City, and Lisbon, connecting companies and NGOs to an extensive international
community. Artivist has been endorsed by Claes Nobel of the Nobel Prize family, the UNITED NATIONS, Amnesty International, and Friends of the United Nations.
The Artivist Film Festival works with celebrity-artists to reach a
greater international public with its mission of Art and Advocacy. Artivist has collaborated with a
variety of artists including: Ted Danson, Olivia Wilde, Maria Bello,
Benjamin Bratt, Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew McConaughey, Mira Sorvino, James Cromwell, Ed
Begley Jr, and more.
Artivist
also partners with dozens of NGOs including Amnesty
International, Global Green, Humane Society of the United States, Prevent Child
Abuse America, and many others.
Several films awarded at Artivist have gone on to great acclaim including Academy Award winner "Born Into Brothels", Academy Award Nominees "Super-Size Me" and "God Sleeps in Rwanda". The festival has also presented the Los Angeles Premieres of "Fast Food Nation", "Emmanuelle's Gift", "Stolen Childhoods", "Zeitgeist", "Zeitgest Addendum" and "Trudell".
Artivist Founder-President, Diaky Diaz, states: "Raising awareness for the interdependence between Humanity, Animals, and the Environment is the true mission of Artivist. Filmmakers, celebrities, community leaders, companies, and NGOs from around the world gather at the Artivist Film Festival to celebrate advocate films that inspire positive actions in our global community.”
UPCOMING FILM PROGRAM:
MARCH 5-6, 2010. SHAW THEATRE - LONDON
Friday March 5th: 8PM - Opening Night Film: "Children of War" and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" followed by Q & A
Nick Taussig – Director, Mtaala Foundation
Yoni Bentovim – Director, Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Action Aid, UK
Friday March 5th: 10:30PM - "Rough Cut" and "Intelligent Life:
Change Your Mind, Change Your World" followed by Q & A
Saturday March 6th: 1PM - "Vultures Have Wings" and "Belonging" followed by Q & A
Natalie Duck, Senior Advocacy Advisor, Action Against Hunger
Saturday March 6th: 3PM - "5 Heroes", "The One Wayz", "Intersection" followed by Q & A
Eelyn Lee - Director, 5 Heroes
Jane Martin, Programme Manager, Photo Voice
Saturday March 6th: 5PM - "Crossing" followed by Q & A
Saturday March 6th: 7PM - "Curse of the Black Gold" and "Sweet
Crude" followed by Q & A
Sandy Cioffi – Director, Sweet Crude
Amnesty International
Saturday March 6th: 10PM - "Abe" and "Ice Bears of Beaufort" followed by Q & A
Carmen Von Ruhr – Producer, Abe
MARCH 22, 2010. "WORLD WATER DAY" UNITED NATIONS
MARCH 25 - 27, 2010. TRIBECA CINEMAS - NEW YORK CITY
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ABOUT ARTIVIST:
ARTIVIST is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All proceeds benefit the Annual Artivist Film Festival, creating a platform for socially conscious "Artivists" to share their inspirational and informative films with the world.
For Media inquiries contact: PR@ARTIVISTS.ORG
This year Artivist
proudly welcomes back PETROBRAS as its Official Community Partner. For the
past four years Petrobras has supported the efforts and expansion of the
Artivist Film Festival. Understanding the interdependence between
humanity, animals, and the environment is crucial in our global
community. By working with individuals and groups, organizations and
companies, we can create long-term solutions to our global problems.
Petrobras, a
Brazilian company, is one of the largest distributors of Ethanol Fuel in the
world with a 30 year history of producing,
distributing and using ethanol from sugar cane as fuel for vehicles. The
Petrobras Environmental Program, is focused on water protection and
biodiversity, supporting hundreds of projects that aim to recover the water
bodies and sources, as well as that which promotes the rational use of water
resources and environmental education. Petrobras is the only energy company
that is part of the Global Compact Board of the UNITED NATIONS, committing its
corporative government to the 10 principles set forth by the UN. Additionally,
Petrobras is the largest funder of Cultural Arts Programs in Brazil, and a
partner of various animal advocacy programs which include endangered sea
turtles, the spinner dolphins, the manatees, and various save the whales
programs.
