Harry Belafonte's Keynote Address at IFP Envision from IFP on Vimeo.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
It's A Wrap!
Thank you to all the remarkable panelists, filmmakers and attendees who spent Saturday at “Envision: Addressing Global Issues through Documentaries.” We could not be more thrilled with the response, conversations and creative connections that were made by participants who came together to explore how to achieve universal education that is accessible and of high quality.
We will be reporting on the panels and outcomes in the coming days, but if you want to stay involved, please join our Envision list at envisionfilm.org. We'll be posting photos and videos this week, so that those who could not attend can still benefit from the conversation. In the interim, links to a couple pieces that were posted from the event here and here.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
HARRY BELAFONTE, UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR TO KEYNOTE ENVISION
You heard it first here: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte will be the keynote speaker at the second annual "Envision: Addressing Global Issues through Documentaries" forum focusing on the UN’s Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education on Saturday July 10th at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st in New York City.
Belafonte has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 1987, and is known worldwide for his accomplishments as a recording artist and concert singer, as an actor and producer, and for his commitment to human rights. He has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of children and has been a long-time champion of abolishing primary school fees in developing nations, reducing HIV/AIDS. Belafonte received the US National Medal for the Arts, and has been widely recognized for his humanitarian work. Find his full bio here, his urging an end to school fees in Africa here and an MSNBC discussion about the importance of supporting education in developing countries here. For more about the Goodwill Ambassador program go here.
Profiles on the Impact of User-Generated Media
Envision’s panel “Telling Their Own Stories: The Individual as Documentarian and The Impact of User-Generated Media” is sure to answer questions and spark new ideas in the advancement of storytelling and documentaries—particularly in the realm of citizen journalism, human rights and ever important to filmmakers, audience building. Today’s blog is highlighting the work that our participating organizations are doing. Learn so much more by attending Envision Saturday July 10, 2010 at TheTimesCenter in New York City. Can’t make it? Follow the conversation on twitter by following @ifpenvison or searching #ifpenv.
Breakthrough
“Bringing Human Rights Home” is the key message of Breakthrough, an international human rights organization that works to transform public attitudes within equality, justice and dignity. This organization works through initiatives in India and the US to address various global issues. Breakthrough used the power of online gaming to educate players as seen in Nina Burnstein’s article Death of Detained Immigrant Inspired Online Game with the Goal of Educating Players. This game includes details and a moderately violent portrayal of the hardships of being detained. Breakthrough used this media campaign to “galvanize young people by using the new tools of popular culture to put them in the shoes of legal and illegal immigrants.” Mallika Dutt, Breakthrough’s Founder and Executive Producer, will be on the “Telling Their Own Stories” panel at Envision this Saturday. Information about Breakthrough can be found by clicking here.
Video Volunteers
Jessica Mayberry, founding director, will be representing Video Volunteers at Envision. After working in television in New York and volunteering in India as a teacher in filmmaking, Mayberry came to the realization that covering international news domestically was a one-sided and US-focused issue. At the same time, she found that many young people were creating their own films with low-cost camera and she decided to make a film that eventually transformed into the education of filmmaking in India. A conversation about Mayberry’s transition into film education can be found here and the Video Volunteers website can be found at www.videovolunteers.org.
WITNESS
WITNESS will be represented at Envision by panelist and Asia Program Manager Ryan Schlief. Founded by Peter Gabriel, Witness is most notably known for their collaborations and partnerships with individuals and communities to defend and uphold human rights. Peter Breuch from St. Thomas Magazine wrote about Schlief and his work with Witness here.
World Without Walls
World without Walls is an organization based on the fundamental idea that cameras and questions move from one acquaintance to another across the globe. This ideology transformed into a major partnership with the United Nation’s Millennium Campaign and BBC World News. Executive Producer, John Kennedy will represent the organization, and discuss how they acquired candid footage from regular people in each and every UN member nation. Info here. Additional Video’s about the work of Kennedy and World Without Walls can be found here.
UNICEF
UNICEF works to help children survive and thrive in over 150 countries and territories globally. They are the world’s largest vaccine provider and supports child health and nutrition, safe water, equal quality education, and the protection from violence, exploitation and AIDS. Karen Cirillo, Executive Producer of Children’s Broadcasting Initiatives, will be representing the organization. UNICEF also awards organizations that strive to make the lives of children better as seen in the article China and Ghana broadcasters win 2008 International Day of Broadcasting Awards.
A Global Conversation on Quality Education For All. Will you Join Us?
There are few greater pleasures for an organization than to present a program at the zeitgeist of a global conversation. Filmmakers, too, revel in presenting stories that reach the height of cultural relevance. The IFP and UN DPI’s Envision program is facilitating both at our July 10th forum addressing global issues through documentaries.
Envision’s screening of Academy-Award winning director Davis Guggenheim’s WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” has been generating significant discussion since its launch at Sundance in January. Envision has convened leaders in the field representing an array of policymakers, educators, and activists, including film subjects and representatives from the Center for American Progress, Sangari Global Education Institute, Citizen Schools, and the Chancellor’s office of the DC Public School System.
Just last week, American Federation of Teachers President and film subject Randi Weingarten responded to a Huffington Post review of WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” by Blaise Nutter with her own Huff Post missive. This exchange pivoted off a recent screening of WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” where she participated in a Q&A with film subject and DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee as discussed here.
It’s clear there is much to be said on both sides of this issue, and we’re proud to be showcasing this game changing film and discussion. Can’t be at the event but want to participate remotely? Follow us on twitter at @IFPEnvision, post your questions with #ifpenv, or sign up for our Envision mailing list here.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Q&A with IFP Alumnus and Envision 2010 Filmmaker Jennifer Arnold on A SMALL ACT
We caught up with IFP Alumnus and Envision 2010 filmmaker Jennifer Arnold to talk about A SMALL ACT, which will screen at TheTimesCenter this Saturday, July 10th at 11:30 am as part of the “Envision: Addressing Global issues Through Documentary” forum. The program’s focus is Achieving Universal Primary Education, a goal that is directly addressed throughout Arnold’s film.
IFPENV: What do you hope A SMALL ACT accomplishes?
Arnold: I hope this film encourages people to do their own "small acts," whether donating to a cause they believe in or volunteering in their own community. When we started production my goal was to make a good film. But the response has been so phenomenal. Audience members have definitely taken the film's message to heart and gotten involved. Already the film has accomplished so much more than I ever dreamed of, I can't wait to see what's next.
IFPENV: Can you share with us some of your plans/campaign for achieving your goal?
Arnold: So far there's a "What's Your Small Act?" campaign which encourages people to do their own small acts. The film has partnered with HBO and Network for Good to build this webpage: www.networkforgood.com/asmallact where viewers can search for causes they want to support using key words or search local volunteer opportunities by zip code. HBO will actually be giving away "good cards" via the HBO Documentary Films facebook page and twitter feed. These are gift cards that can be redeemed at any of the 1.8 charities on the Network for Good site. We’re making it really easy for people to turn the sentiment of the film into real action. And if Network for Good doesn't have what you're looking for, there's also a Take Action page on the www.asmallact.com website with other suggestions on how to get involved in the movement.
IFPENV: What has been the reaction to the film so far?
Arnold: We premiered this film at Sundance and nothing could have prepared us for the response. One of the main storylines in the documentary deals with an education fund and after our second screening an audience member stood up and donated five thousand dollars – then and there. Then another person matched that pledge. In the next screening people started handing us twenties and hundreds, some wrote checks for thousands. Though we never solicited donations, by the end of Sundance (which is a ten day festival) $90,000 dollars was donated to the fund in the film. We couldn’t believe it. Since Sundance the education fund has been given a quarter million dollars by someone who saw the film. That blew my mind.
We also screened the film in the Kenyan village where I shot. Some of the Kenyan audience members pledged to replicate what they saw in the film. They wanted to start their own, small, locally run education funds. If more people start small education funds it will definitely make a big impact in Kenya as a whole. We set out to make a good movie and we ended up being one more link in this chain of amazing small acts. That makes me really proud.
IFPENV: What are some of the key questions people ask after they've seen the film?
Arnold: The first question I get after every screening is "How did you find this story?" The story really is incredible. If I hadn't filmed it myself I'm not sure I would believe it really happened - but it did.
IFPENV: Did the film change between the start of the project and when you finished?
Arnold: Certain aspects of the film stayed the same. We always knew we wanted to show a success story in Kenya. That was one of the reasons I loved Chris’ story. There are so many images of child soldiers and refugees in Africa, we wanted to paint a broader picture – yes there is poverty, but there is also a huge middle class and this middle class is bringing about a lot of change and solving a lot of problems.
We had no idea that violence would break out during the Kenya elections. That was really unexpected and that altered our storyline. Suddenly we had some of the stereotypical images of conflict in Africa that I was trying to avoid. But it also brought depth to the film. In this story there is a European who is a genocide survivor and an African who is a human rights worker and ultimately the message of that conflict storyline ended up being is that conflict can happen anywhere, to anyone.
IFPENV: Who from the film has seen it and what has been their response?
Arnold: Chris, Hilde and Chris’ cousin Jane all came to Sundance. They went to the premiere. All three cried! I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign, but they said the film was very touching. Then, after Sundance, I took the film to the Kenyan village where we shot. I blacked out a school hall, rented a projector and invited the whole village, including the three lead school kids. There is a lot of intimate stuff in this movie; things that a typical Kenyan would never tell their neighbors, so I hoped the kids’ families wouldn’t feel embarrassed. I held a private screening for the main families ahead of time. There was a lot of silence after the screening. The first thing they said was “I didn’t think it would be like that. It feels so real.” Of course it was real. I asked if they felt okay with me showing it and they all said I should definitely show it. People in the village should know that everyone has problems. That’s real life. After the screening the three kids came up in front of everyone for a Q&A. They introduced themselves proudly saying, “We are the ones in the film.” I really loved that moment.
IFPENV: What do you hope A SMALL ACT accomplishes?
Arnold: I hope this film encourages people to do their own "small acts," whether donating to a cause they believe in or volunteering in their own community. When we started production my goal was to make a good film. But the response has been so phenomenal. Audience members have definitely taken the film's message to heart and gotten involved. Already the film has accomplished so much more than I ever dreamed of, I can't wait to see what's next.
IFPENV: Can you share with us some of your plans/campaign for achieving your goal?
Arnold: So far there's a "What's Your Small Act?" campaign which encourages people to do their own small acts. The film has partnered with HBO and Network for Good to build this webpage: www.networkforgood.com/asmallact where viewers can search for causes they want to support using key words or search local volunteer opportunities by zip code. HBO will actually be giving away "good cards" via the HBO Documentary Films facebook page and twitter feed. These are gift cards that can be redeemed at any of the 1.8 charities on the Network for Good site. We’re making it really easy for people to turn the sentiment of the film into real action. And if Network for Good doesn't have what you're looking for, there's also a Take Action page on the www.asmallact.com website with other suggestions on how to get involved in the movement.
IFPENV: What has been the reaction to the film so far?
Arnold: We premiered this film at Sundance and nothing could have prepared us for the response. One of the main storylines in the documentary deals with an education fund and after our second screening an audience member stood up and donated five thousand dollars – then and there. Then another person matched that pledge. In the next screening people started handing us twenties and hundreds, some wrote checks for thousands. Though we never solicited donations, by the end of Sundance (which is a ten day festival) $90,000 dollars was donated to the fund in the film. We couldn’t believe it. Since Sundance the education fund has been given a quarter million dollars by someone who saw the film. That blew my mind.
We also screened the film in the Kenyan village where I shot. Some of the Kenyan audience members pledged to replicate what they saw in the film. They wanted to start their own, small, locally run education funds. If more people start small education funds it will definitely make a big impact in Kenya as a whole. We set out to make a good movie and we ended up being one more link in this chain of amazing small acts. That makes me really proud.
IFPENV: What are some of the key questions people ask after they've seen the film?
Arnold: The first question I get after every screening is "How did you find this story?" The story really is incredible. If I hadn't filmed it myself I'm not sure I would believe it really happened - but it did.
IFPENV: Did the film change between the start of the project and when you finished?
Arnold: Certain aspects of the film stayed the same. We always knew we wanted to show a success story in Kenya. That was one of the reasons I loved Chris’ story. There are so many images of child soldiers and refugees in Africa, we wanted to paint a broader picture – yes there is poverty, but there is also a huge middle class and this middle class is bringing about a lot of change and solving a lot of problems.
We had no idea that violence would break out during the Kenya elections. That was really unexpected and that altered our storyline. Suddenly we had some of the stereotypical images of conflict in Africa that I was trying to avoid. But it also brought depth to the film. In this story there is a European who is a genocide survivor and an African who is a human rights worker and ultimately the message of that conflict storyline ended up being is that conflict can happen anywhere, to anyone.
IFPENV: Who from the film has seen it and what has been their response?
Arnold: Chris, Hilde and Chris’ cousin Jane all came to Sundance. They went to the premiere. All three cried! I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign, but they said the film was very touching. Then, after Sundance, I took the film to the Kenyan village where we shot. I blacked out a school hall, rented a projector and invited the whole village, including the three lead school kids. There is a lot of intimate stuff in this movie; things that a typical Kenyan would never tell their neighbors, so I hoped the kids’ families wouldn’t feel embarrassed. I held a private screening for the main families ahead of time. There was a lot of silence after the screening. The first thing they said was “I didn’t think it would be like that. It feels so real.” Of course it was real. I asked if they felt okay with me showing it and they all said I should definitely show it. People in the village should know that everyone has problems. That’s real life. After the screening the three kids came up in front of everyone for a Q&A. They introduced themselves proudly saying, “We are the ones in the film.” I really loved that moment.
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