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FESTIVAL NEWS
AUG. 26: MEDIA THAT MATTERS in PHILADELPHIA
Join us for a screening of the tenth annual Media That Matters collection, hosted by Scribe Video Center.
WHERE:
Thursday, August 26th
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Scribe Video Center
4212 Chestnut Street 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA, 19104
See Google maps.
Admission: $5
FREE to Scribe members
Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
Published on August 25, 2010
Summer Pasture and Sun Come Up selected for IDA’s DocuWeeks lineup
Two MTM shorts (MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life and MTM9’s The Next Wave) that have since become longer films (Summer Pasture and Sun Come Up, respectively) will hit the big screen with theatrical premieres in NYC and LA this summer. Both films were selected by the International Documentary Association (IDA) for their annual DocuWeeks lineup. DocuWeeks, a three week exhibition of documentary films in Los Angeles and New York will screen seventeen feature films and five shorts from July 30 to August 19. The Los Angeles screenings will take place at the ArcLight Hollywood, and the New York screenings will take place at the IFC Center. A film that screens at DocuWeeks is automatically qualified for consideration for next year’s Oscars.
Summer Pasture
Los Angeles
ArcLight Hollywood
August 6 - August 12
New York City
IFC Center
July 30 - August 5
Sun Come Up
New York
IFC Center
July 30 - August 5
Published on July 15, 2010
JULY: 22 GOOD FOOD Screening at Exit Art
Exit Art has invited Media That Matters to screen GOOD FOOD, a collection of short films and animations about food and sustainability, along with the film “Every Third Bite” from MTM8. This special screening is part of the exhibition Consume at Exit Art.
Consume, a project of SEA (Social Environmental Aesthetics) , investigates the world’s systems of food production, distribution, consumption and waste. With fuel prices fluctuating and climate change causing monumental shifts in weather patterns, we have been forced to rethink our methods of food production and distribution. Natural disasters have wiped out entire crop cycles (the rice supply in Burma and the wheat harvest in Australia) and experts are saying that a global food shortage is imminent. The prices for wheat, corn, rice and other grains have steadily increased since 2005, causing food riots and hoarding from Morocco to Yemen to Hong Kong. The New York Times recently reported an estimate that Americans waste 27% of the food available for consumption. What are some possible solutions to these mammoth problems?
Q and A to follow with a representative of Media That Matters. $5 suggested donation. Cash bar.
Curated by Papo Colo, Jeanette Ingberman, Lauren Rosati and Herb Tam.
THURSDAY, JULY 22 / 7-9pm
LOCATION:
Exit Art
475 Tenth Avenue at 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
T: 212.966.7745
A, C, E to 34th St / Penn Station
www.exitart.org
Published on July 8, 2010
JULY 8: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in PORTLAND, OR
This years MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESITVAL is co-presented with Film Action Oregon.
WHEN:
Thursday, July 8th
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212
Published on July 8, 2010
Tenth Annual Media That Matters on Ustream!
Always more than a film festival, Media That Matters is Arts Engine’s pioneering curatorial project of the world’s best short films on social issues. Using multiple technologies – such as Ustream, Twitter and Flip cameras – Media That Matters broadcast its New York City events live for the first time in its ten-year history.
Now, audiences anywhere at anytime can visit our Media That Matters Ustream page to view the live taping of our World Premiere events including the MTM10 Premiere (with Filmmaker Q&A) at SVA Theatre on June 2 and the Filmmakers’ Awards Ceremony on June 3. Additionally, our MTM:IMPACT is also available for viewing! Our workshop featured a series of three interactive conversations with panelists who offered provocative dialogue and practical strategies for how mediamakers, activists, educators and everyone else can make impact.
Visit Ustream - Media That Matters 2010 now to relive the MTM10 Premiere events, catch up on some of the latest conversation on social issue media, and experience how short films are changing the world!
Published on June 30, 2010
MTM10 “I’m Just Anneke” screens at SilverDocs (MD), Outfest (L.A.) and Tokyo Int’l Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Tokyo)
Congratulations to MTM10 Filmmaker Jonathan Skurnik and his film “I’m Just Anneke” which has been selected to screen at SilverDocs, Outfest, and Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival!
“I’m Just Anneke” screens at:
SILVERDOCS
Friday, June 25 at 6:15 PM
Discovery HD Theater
Sunday, June 27 at 11:15 AM
AFI Silver Theater 2
Silver Springs, MD
OUTFEST
Sunday, July 11 at 12:00 PM
Laemmle Sunset 5
Los Angeles, CA
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, July 16 at 4:45 PM
Sunday, July 18 at 5:00 PM
Spiral Hall
Tokyo, Japan
Visit our MTM Take Action Links for “I’m Just Anneke” and learn how you can support transgender and gender nonconforming youth!
Published on June 30, 2010
JUNE 26: MEDIA THAT MATTERS in EVANSTON, IL
This year´s MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL in Evanston is co-presented with Evanston Arts Depot.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 26
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Evanston Arts Depot
600 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Published on June 26, 2010
JUNE 25: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in SANTA FE, NM
This years MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL in Santa Fe, NM is co-presented with Warehouse 21!
WHERE:
Friday, June 25
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Warehouse 21
1614 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
Published on June 25, 2010
JUNE 22: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in WASHINGTON, D.C.
The 10th MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL in Washington, D.C. is co-presented with Campus Progress.
WHEN:
Tuesday, June 22
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
E Street Cinema
555 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
(entrance on E Street between 10th and 11th Street)
FREE Screening.
Director Jonathan Skurnik (of MTM film “I’m Just Anneke”) and Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
**
Published on June 22, 2010
JUNE 18: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in SAN FRANCISCO, CA
This years´s MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL in San Francisco is co-presented with BAVC, Ninth Street Independent Film Center and Creative Commons
WHEN:
Friday, June 18
8:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
145 Ninth Street, Suite 101
San Francisco, CA 94103
FREE Screening
Director Joel Engardio (of MTM film “Justice Denied: Voices from Guantanamo”) will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
Published on June 18, 2010
JUNE 16: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in MIAMI, FL
This years´s MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL is co-presented with Phonograph Films!
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 16
8:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Miami Beach Cinematheque
512 Española Way
Miami Beach, FL 33139
After the screening, Phonograph Films Founder Juan Carlos Zaldîvar will moderate a discussion with Miami New Times reporter Tim Elfrink, Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder and a representative from Dade County’s GLBTQ Alliance for Youth.
$10.00 General Admission
$8.00 Seniors (62+) and Students (with current ID)
$7.00 MBC and MIFF Members
You can purchase advance tickets here .
Published on June 16, 2010
JUNE 15: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in GAINESVILLE, FL
This year´s MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL is co-presented with the Civic Media Center
WHEN:
Tuesday, June 15
7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Hippodrome Theatre
25 S.E. 2nd Place
Gainesville, FL 32601
Free Screening. $7-10 Suggested Donation.
Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
Published on June 15, 2010
JUNE 12: MEDIA THAT MATTERS 10 in DENVER, CO
Watch the 10th annual MEDIA THAT MATTERS FILM FESTIVAL in partnership with the Denver Film Society!
WHEN:
Saturday, June 12
7:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Starz Film Center
900 Auraria Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
$9.75 General Admission
$7.25 Senior or Student
$7.00 Denver Film Society member
Director Yan Chun Su (of MTM film “The Last Town”) will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
You can purchase advance tickets here
Published on June 12, 2010
MEDIA THAT MATTERS launches a 10-CITY TOUR in June!
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Media That Matters, we’re hitting the road with a 10-city tour of tenth annual Media That Matters collection in the month of June.
10 years
10 cities
10 screenings
We launched the tour with simultaneous premieres in NYC and Minneapolis last week. Over 400 people attended our NYC premiere on June 2 and audience members in Minneapolis were able to ask questions of MTM filmmakers (via Facebook and Twitter) and then watch the Q+A (via UStream). Two days later, Media That Matters hopped the pond for a London premiere, presented by our partners Working Films and Shooting People , for a sold-out screening at the Frontline Club.
Read on to see if Media That Matters is coming to a city near you!
***
DENVER
Saturday, June 12
7:00 p.m.
in partnership with the Denver Film Society
Starz FilmCenter
900 Auraria Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
$9.75 General Admission
$7.25 Senior or Student
$7.00 Denver Film Society member
Director Yan Chun Su (of MTM film “The Last Town”) will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening. You can purchase advance tickets here.
***
GAINESVILLE, FL
Tuesday, June 15
7:30 p.m.
co-presented with the Civic Media Center
Hippodrome Theatre
25 S.E. 2nd Place
Gainesville, FL 32601
FREE Screening. $7-10 Suggested Donation.
Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
***
MIAMI
Wednesday, June 16
8:00 p.m.
co-presented with Phonograph Films
Miami Beach Cinematheque
512 Española Way
Miami Beach, FL 33139
After the screening, Phonograph Films Founder Juan Carlos Zaldîvar will moderate a discussion with Miami New Times reporter Tim Elfrink, Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder and representatives from Dade County’s GLBTQ Alliance for Youth and Human Services Coalition.
$10.00 General Admission
$8.00 Seniors (62+) and Students (with current ID)
$7.00 MBC and MIFF Members
You can purchase advance tickets here.
***
SAN FRANCISCO
Friday, June 18
8:00 p.m.
co-presented with BAVC, Ninth Street Independent Film Center and Creative Commons
Ninth Street Independent Film Center
145 Ninth Street, Suite 101
San Francisco, CA 94103
FREE Screening.
Director Joel Engardio (of MTM film “Justice Denied: Voices from Guantanamo”) will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
***
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tuesday, June 22
6:30 p.m.
co-presented with Campus Progress and Women in Film and Video
E Street Cinema
555 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
(entrance on E Street between 10th and 11th Street)
FREE Screening.
Director Jonathan Skurnik (of MTM film “I’m Just Anneke”) and Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
***
SANTA FE
Friday, June 25
7:00 p.m.
co-presented with Warehouse 21
Warehouse 21
1614 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Media That Matters Director Jolene Pinder will be in attendance for Q+A after the screening.
***
EVANSTON, IL
Saturday, June 26
7:00 p.m.
co-presented with Evanston Arts Depot
Evanston Arts Depot
600 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
***
PORTLAND, OR
Tuesday, June 29
7:00 p.m.
co-presented with Film Action Oregon
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212
Published on June 10, 2010
June 5: The Fiscal Times covers DENIED & Filmmaker Julie Winokur from MTM10
Blaire Briody of The Fiscal Times writes about the shortfalls of health care documented by MTM10 filmmaker Julie Winokur’s film DENIED, this year’s Jury Winner.
“Cost, of course, remains a major concern. The American Cancer Society calculated the costs of early-stage breast cancer treatments over a year and a half to be $111,000. Wessenberg’s doctors estimated that they spent over $250,000 in the attempt to save her life (including estimated costs of their donated labor and treatments), and that number rises every year. Many people are unsure whether there will be enough federal money to pay for the new bill. Some states are aggressively fighting the health care bill, and at least 14 have filed suit against the federal government. Starting in 2014, insurance agencies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to someone with a pre-existing condition, but will they be able to cope with a $250,000 tab for the number of people who may need care?”
Read here for full article.
Published on June 7, 2010
June 3: MTM:Impact, a series of conversations
MTM: IMPACT
Make. Activate. Educate.
June 3, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Ten years of Media That Matters. Time to celebrate. Ready to innovate.
On June 3, the day after the NYC premiere of the tenth annual Media That Matters collection, Arts Engine will host a free, day-long series of conversations for filmmakers, activists and educators who are working to harness the power of media to enact change.
Join Arts Engine staff, Pat Aufderheide, Abigail Disney, MTM filmmakers past and present and many more for an exciting day of provocative conversation and practical strategies for impact.
This won’t be a re-hashing of the same old tips (set up a Twitter account!) and laments (documentary distribution is in crisis!).
Instead, we’ll take up targeted questions about the state of social issue media like: What are the advantages and drawbacks of short films vs. long format media in spurring audiences to action? What does it mean to be a fast-acting filmmaker when it comes to social change media? Do you sacrifice craft to effect change quickly? And how do you inspire students to connect media to their own lives and realize their potential as changemakers?
The day will be organized into three interactive 75-minute sessions. You can sign up for one or for all three. Since this event is designed to be a series of intimate conversations, space is extremely limited. While we are able to offer these conversations at no cost to participants, you must register in advance. Register here!
MAKE.
Impact: In the Eye of the Beholder
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Join Pat Aufderheide, the Director of the Center for
Social Media, as she moderates a lively panel of filmmakers who have
shifted tactics or broken new ground to have a meaningful impact with
their filmmaking. This lively conversation will offer a multifaceted
debate on the variety of approaches served by short vs. long form films,
working with provocative subject matter, and challenging audiences to
take action.
Ronit Avni, producer of Budrus, and
executive director of Just
Vision
Abigail Disney, producer of Pray the Devil Back to Hell
Lynn True, co-director of “A Nomad’s Life” (MTM 8
film) and Summer Pasture (recent premiere at Full Frame)
ACTVATE.
Change-on-the-Go: React + Release Social Issue Media1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
What does it mean to be a fast-acting filmmaker when it comes to social change media? Do you sacrifice craft to enact change quickly? And how do you mobilize resources to capture a story before it’s too late? Join Lina Srivistava (Principal of Lina Srivastava Consulting, LLC, former ED of Kids with Cameras) for an interactive discussion about the challenges and benefits of 1) creating fast and furious media campaigns and 2) reacting quickly to stories then produced as longitudinal documentaries. Zach Niles, a visiting faculty member from Haiti’s Ciné Institute, will share lessons learned from the organization’s recent experience of creating documentary content in response to the earthquake. We’ll also tackle the question of how to provide opportunities for quick and substantive action for audiences.
Sean Gardner, League of Young Voters
Zach Niles, Ciné Institute and co-director of Sierre Leone Refugee All-Stars
Jennifer Redfearn, director of “The Next
Wave” (MTM 9 Jury Winner) and “Sun Come Up”
(recent premiere at Full
Frame)
Nancy Schwartzman, director of The Line
EDUCATE.
Making Media Matter in the Classroom
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Lalitha Vasudevan (Assistant Professor of Technology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University) leads a conversation with four educators about how they’ve successfully incorporated Media That Matters films into their curriculum—as an introduction to issues of social justice, a means for inspiring change and a pedagogical tool for teachers. The second half of the workshop will be a working session. After viewing one film from this year’s collection, educators will break into groups and brainstorm strategies to incorporate the film into their classrooms, sketch out possible lesson plans and offer ideas for discussion questions.
Kim Allen, Middle School Teacher
Melanie Forstrom, Program Director at Brooklyn Bridge Academy
Britt Hamre, Curriculum and Teaching
Lecturer, Teachers College, Columbia University
Maria Hantzopoulos, Assistant Professor of Education at Vassar College
We hope to see you there!
This event is made possible by the Fledgling Fund.
Published on June 3, 2010
June 3: About.com’s Jennifer Merin covers MTM10 Premiere
Jennifer Merin from About.com: Documentaries (who is also moderating the June 9 Docuclub for the film “Building Bridges”) writes coverage for the launch of the tenth annual Media That Matters.
The filmmakers are young—Annalise Littman, for example, produced and directed her film, Aquafinito, tackling issues arising from privatization of fresh water, when she was a junior in high school. And, they’re already developing their unique voices and styles—for example, Yan Chun Su takes us on an un-narrated cinematic tour of The Last Town in her brooding film about the 2000-year-old city that will disappear under water when China’s Three Gorges Dam is constructed, while Gus Andrews uses two amusing puppets to deliver deliver insights about how the media manipulates images to create unattainable standards of beauty in My Hotness is Pasted on Yey!.
To gauge how talented these young filmmakers are, compare their films to those made by seasoned documentarians about similar issues—for example, you might want to compare The Last Town with Up the Yangtze, and see how America The Beautiful and American Teen treat the subject of standards of beauty and self esteem. Then, too, there are some mighty powerful unlawful military detainment documentaries to watch—including Taxi To The Dark Side, Standard Operating Procedure and Laura Poitras’ soon-to-be-released The Oath—in order to expand your understanding about how this pressing issue is presented in feature length documentaries.
For the complete article, you can find it
Published on June 3, 2010
May 20: MTM screens at Facing History School, NYC, to prepare Juniors for the Senior Social Issue Projects
As the juniors at Facing History School in Manhattan start their transition to the senior year, MTM brings them films to inspire ideas for their social issue projects in the upcoming year. The films screened are:
Immersion (MTM9)
Will I Be Next? (MTM9)
America for Dummies (MTM8)
Published on May 20, 2010
May 12, 13, 17, & 18: MTM Workshops “Media for Social Change” at Bushwick School for Social Justice’s Freshmen Advisory
Bushwick School of Social Justice and “Make the Road New York” host MTM’s workshop on “How To Use Media For Social Change.” The workshop—which may evolve into a Fall 2010 senior class social justice seminar—is catered to freshmen currently involved in their social action projects. AE Programs will screen the following films:
Permission (MTM6)
Exiled in America (MTM9)
Book ‘Em: Undereducated, Overincarcerated (MTM6)
Copwatch (MTM3)
Profit Cola (MTMGF)
Food Justice (MTMGF)
(Hate) Machine (MTM6)
Locusts (MTM9)
Published on May 10, 2010
World Premiere of the Tenth Annual Media That Matters!
You’re invited!
10 Years. More than 10 million viewers. 156 shorts.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Join us in NYC for the World Premiere of the tenth annual Media That Matters collection!
6:00 pm - Doors Open
Arrive early to take part in the impACT salon with some of our presenting partners for Take Action opportunities and a chance to meet the festival filmmakers.
7:00 - 9:00 pm - Screening of tenth annual Media That Matters collection
Be among the first to see the 12 new inspiring short films selected this year by our jury of eight incredible activists and media makers.
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Visual Arts Theatre
333 West 23rd Street
New York, NY
See map
The theater is accessible by wheelchair.
Buy your tickets today before they sell out!: http://mediathatmatters.eventbrite.com
Calling all filmmakers, activists, educators: this year, Media That Matters will host a day-long workshop, MTM: IMPACT, on June 3. Stay tuned for more details about the day’s schedule and how to reserve your spot!
Media That Matters: MORE THAN A FESTIVAL
SCREEN the collection of jury-selected films.
ACT now to make a change.
IMPACT your community by using short films with on-the-ground activism.
Following the official launch on June 2, we invite you to Screen. Act. Impact.
Be among the first to see the new additions to Media That Matters, which reached more than 3 million viewers in 2009.
We will have the DVD collection available for you to purchase online directly following the Premiere. Check out the store to see how you can pre-order the DVD now and then learn how to host your own screening.
We are finalizing international screening locations now. Add yours to the map! Prep for the next semester and integrate film into your curriculum!
As we reach out to get the message about this launch to a wide international audience, the opportunity to share this information with your friends / fans / members / community is invaluable to us. If you have space for a short announcement to post on your blog, on your profile, in your upcoming newsletter, or in an email blast it would be a great help to us!
Read more about joining our street team (and receiving a complimentary MTM10 DVD and tickets to the premiere).
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest news on MTM10!
WE’LL SEE YOU THERE!
Send us an email!
Thank you!
Published on April 30, 2010
Join the Media That Matters Street Team!
Is “Screen. Act. Impact.” your mantra? Do those three magic letters M-T-M make your heart go pitter-patter?
Then we need you for the Media That Matters Street Team (technically, no streets will be involved—just the highways and byways of Twitter, Facebook and the less-specific blogosphere). If you’ve been following MTM for years or if you’ve just discovered this premiere showcase for short social issue film, we want you! This year marks the 10th anniversary of MTM and we’re excited to spread the good word about the power of media to spark change. To celebrate, we’ll be screening this year’s collection on the second largest screen in Manhattan at the SVA Theater, a venue that holds over 450 people.
That’s where you come in. Join the MTM Street Team and here’s what you’ll need to do (and what’s in it for you!):
Post a minimum of two announcements about Media That Matters (posts can be publicizing the NYC premiere on June 2 or driving traffic to watch the new collection of films at the MTM site) via Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site and you’ll receive a free copy of the MTM10 DVD.
Do the above AND blog about the festival and you’ll receive an MTM10 DVD and two tickets to our premiere at the SVA Theater in NYC on June 2.
If you’d like to join up, send an email with your name, Twitter and link to your FB page to festival@artsengine.net.
We’ll be selecting Street Team members by May 7.
Published on April 22, 2010
April 21: MTM & the Mayor’s Office present Immigrant Heritage Week 2010 Screening at Maysles Institute
In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of NYC, MTM is proud to celebrate the official 2010 Immigrant Heritage Week (April 15-21) with a screening at Maysles Institute Cinema on Wednesday evening of April 21. The screening features themes on immigration, identity and social issue media for immigration reform, as well as discussions and opportunities to “Take Action” immediately.
Films to be Screened:
BY-STANDING: THE BEGINNING OF AN AMERICAN LIFETIME (MTM7)
VISION TEST (MTM3)
IMMERSION (MTM9)
EXILED IN AMERICA (MTM9)
THE SIXTH SECTION (MTM4)
SLIP OF THE TONGUE (MTM6)
A NOMAD’S LIFE (MTM8)
AFRICAN UNDERGROUND: HIP HOP IN SENEGAL (MTM8)
WHY DO WHITE PEOPLE HAVE BLACK SPOTS? (MTM9)
THE NEXT WAVE (MTM9)
The screening will take place on Wednesday, April 21st from 7:30-10:30pm.
The Maysles Institute Cinema is located in Harlem at 343 Malcolm X Blvd /Lenox Ave (Between 127th & 128th St). Visit their website for more information and upcoming events: http://www.mayslesinstitute.org/cinema/index.html
Published on April 21, 2010
April 15: Hostos Community College celebrates Immigrant Heritage Week 2010 with MTM Screening
In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Week 2010, Hostos Community College—under the coordination of Professors Phillips Rupert and Lizette Colon—is hosting a Media That Matters screening with films about immigration, urban youth and the environment.
The event also includes a Voter’s Registration Drive and Naturalization Information Fair and a lecture by guest speaker Professor Gerald Meyer entitled “Americans All: Immigrants & Native Born & the Struggle for a Better America/Todos somos Americanos:Luchando por una Mejor América.” The MTM screening and discussion will be facilitated by programs staff. The following films will be screened:
Inch By Inch (MTMGF)
The Farm Sanctuary (MTMGF)
Recycle (MTM7)
Fast and Reliable (MTM5)
Is Your Neighbor Latino? (MTM3)
Published on April 14, 2010
April 11: SUMMER PASTURE (a.ka. A Nomad’s Life) receives Honorable Mention for Inspiration Award at Full Frame Doc Fest
Congratulations to filmmakers Lynn True and Nelson Walker for their Honorable Mention at Full Frame Documentary Festival for the film SUMMER PASTURE, a feature-length of MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life! The film was short-listed for Full Frame Inspiration Award, which is presented to the film that best exemplifies the value and relevance of world religions and spirituality.
Watch the original short A NOMAD’s LIFE from the eight annual Media That Matters here: A Nomad’s Life
Visit the SUMMER PASTURE website and their fan page on Facebook: Summer Pasture - Kham Film Project
Published on April 12, 2010
April 10: SUMMER PASTURE (feature-length of MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life) short-listed for Jury Prize at Full Frame Doc Fest
SUMMER PASTURE, by filmmakers Lynn True, Nelson Walker & Tsering Perlo, has been selected to premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in North Carolina on April 10th at 1:30pm.
(For more info on the premiere, visit: http://www.fullframefest.org/more_film_info.php?id=1923)
The film is the feature-length version of A Nomad’s Life from the eighth annual Media That Matters and has been short-listed as one of 16 films of 51 competing for the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at Full Frame. Support SUMMER PASTURE and explore the challenges living a nomad’s life.
Visit their website to help spread the word: Summer Pasture Film
Published on March 31, 2010
April 8: SUN COME UP (feature-length version of MTM9’s The Next Wave) selected to premiere at Full Frame Doc Fest
Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger’s SUN COME UP, originally The Next Wave short from MTM9, has been selected as one of 60 films from 1200 submissions to premiere at the Full Frame Documentary Festival in North Carolina on April 8th, 2010.
(For information on the festival and premiere, visit: http://www.fullframefest.org/more_film_info.php?id=1924)
Help the filmmakers spread the word about SUN COME UP and climate refugees on Facebook, Twitter, etc! Visit their website for more ways to get involved: Sun Come Up Film
Published on March 29, 2010
March 23: Kansas Youth Conference (UMC) screens MTM films on “Economic Justice” at the Church Center, United Nations
The General Board of Global Ministries is the global mission agency of The United Methodist Church, its annual conferences, missionary conferences, and local congregations: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/
Selected MTM films on Economic Justice will screen at the Kansas East Youth Conference, hosted by Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Following the screening at the Church Center for the United Nations, a discussion will be led by staff at Arts Engine, with a focus on “Arts for Social Change”.
Films include:
Struggling to Survive (MTM4)
Broken Limbs (GF)
A Nomad’s Life (MTM8)
All That I Can Be (MTM5)
Published on March 22, 2010
March 15: Ninth Annual Media That Matters Filmmaker Interviews & Behind-The-Scenes Awards Ceremony Footage now online!
Check out MTM9’s Award Ceremony Footage and Filmmaker Interviews now available on the film watch pages under “Extras.”
Watch the filmmakers’ award acceptance speeches, learn the inspiration behind their films and hear their aspirations to make impact.
Published on March 15, 2010
March 12: MTM9’s Immersion screening at California Association for Bilingual Education Conference in San Jose, CA
MTM9 filmmaker Richard Levien will be presenting his film Immersion at the annual conference for the California Association for Bilingual Education on Friday, March 12 in San Jose, California.
The California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1976 to promote bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all students in California. CABE has 5,000 members with over 60 chapters/affiliates, all working to promote equity and student achievement for students with diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds. CABE recognizes and honors the fact that we live in a rich multicultural, global society and that respect for diversity makes us a stronger state and nation.
March 10-13, 2010
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, CA
Click here to register for the conference.
Published on March 12, 2010
March 2 - 3: 2010 MOSAIC Film Festival screens select films from Media That Matters in Bloomington, IN
Diversity Theatre, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, presents the 3rd MOSAIC Film Festival.
MOSAIC will begin on Saturday, February 27 at the Monroe County Public Library, and continue throughout the week at various locations through Saturday, March 6. MOSAIC features short films for adults highlighting poverty and homelessness, and films for children focusing on disability and accepting differences. All MOSAIC events are free and open to the public!
Select films from the Media That Matters collection will screen on Tuesday, March 2 at Rhino’s All Age Music Club at 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 3 at Rachael’s Cafe at 7 p.m.:
Struggling to Survive
Fast and Reliable
Dedicated to My Family
Recycle
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the movies and issues with some of the filmmakers and with representatives of local agencies which are co-sponsoring MOSAIC and provide services in the areas of poverty, homelessness and disability.
Published on March 3, 2010
Tenth Annual Festival Jury
John Biaggi
John Biaggi has worked at the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival for the past thirteen years, starting as deputy director. He became director in 2008. John works on every aspect of the festival’s many projects which include the two flagship festivals in New York and London, as well as festivals in Munich, Toronto, San Francisco and a traveling festival that reaches over 40 sites in the United States and Canada. He screens upwards of 200 films each year at festivals worldwide, including the festival’s extensive submissions. John also helps organize the many co-presentations the festival presents with other festivals and organizations worldwide.
Prior to his work at Human Rights Watch, John was a festival coordinator for the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. He also enjoyed a successful career as a director and producer of independent films and as a director of photography on numerous films and videos for television. John graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology from Stanford University in 1985. He lives in Irvington, NY.
Moni’ca Brown
Moni’ca Brown grew up listening to underground Hip Hop in Seattle, Washington, which makes her a Hip Hop snob. Nonetheless, this enriching youth experience prepared her for the pursuit of her greatest passion: using the arts to engage and educate underprivileged teens who have been left out of the running for the opportunities she was given. Everything that makes her who she is came from those who saw potential in her. When she applied to the League of Young Voters in the summer of 2009, she wanted to make an impact on the lives of all the young, smart people she saw left out of the major debates that were deciding their future. Endlessly inspired by the power and magic of nonprofits everywhere, the League in particular has become synonymous with sharing her most personal dreams. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing at the New School.
Dan Cogan
Dan Cogan is the co-founder and executive director of Impact Partners, a fund and advisory service for investors and philanthropists who seek to promote social change through film. Since its inception two years ago, Impact Partners has been involved in the financing of over 25 films including: Freeheld, which won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film; The Garden, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2009; and The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, which won an Emmy in 2007 for Best Documentary Special. Mr. Cogan received his B.A. from Harvard University magna cum laude and attended the Film Division at Columbia University’s Graduate School of the Arts.
Daphne Farganis
Daphne Farganis is director of Educational Initiatives for Freemind Ventures/The Black List Project, where she has developed national educational initiatives for both K-12 and universities across the country. Daphne specializes in bringing together partners within the arts, cultural, educational and business communities to find common ground through education oriented projects. Based primarily in New York, Daphne has more than ten years of experience in forging strong, and sometimes surprising, collaborations among a wide range of individuals and groups. Her most recent projects includes designing and implementing special initiatives for: the Hip Hop Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center, DC Commission on Arts and Humanity, New York University, The People’s Speak/Howard Zinn, Brave New Voices/HBO, Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School.
Prior to this, Daphne was the founding director of the Institute for Urban Education at New School University, an innovative program supporting high school students in their transition to higher education. In addition, she held post of project director at the International Education Center (Denmark) where she designed curriculum on global issues. There she worked with a number of globally recognized figures, including Cornell West and the late Sekou Sundiata. She is graduate of Vassar College and holds a master’s degree from the Bank Street School of Education. She joined Freemind Ventures/The Black List Project in 2009.
Catherine Gund
Catherine Gund, the founder of Aubin Pictures, is an Emmy Award-nominated producer, director, writer and organizer. She is the director of the award-winning film “What’s On Your Plate?”, which aired on Discovery’s Planet Green in February and is in educational and community-based screenings now. The home video will be available in September. Catherine’s media work, which focuses on arts and culture, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health and other social justice issues, has screened around the world in festivals and theaters, on PBS and the Sundance Channel, and at universities and museums.
As a filmmaker who has worked in all aspects of production for 20 years, her interest lies in telling stories and finding the details that educate and inspire. Gund’s productions include Motherland Afghanistan (AFI Fest Official Selection; PBS broadcast), A Touch of Greatness (Best Documentary Award, Hamptons Film Festival, Ohio Film Festival, and Denver International Film Festival; PBS broadcast; Emmy nomination), Making Grace (theatrical release), On Hostile Ground (Sundance Channel broadcast), Hallelujah! Ron Athey: A Story of Deliverance (Best Documentary Award, Chicago Underground Film Festival), When Democracy Works, Positive: Life with HIV and Keep Your Laws Off My Body, as well as work with the collectives DIVA TV (co-founder) and Paper Tiger Television. She co-founded the Third Wave Foundation and was on the founding board of Working Films. She has served on the advisory council for MediaRights.org and as a consultant for the Robeson Fund.
Cynthia Lopez
Cynthia Lopez is the vice president of the award-winning P.O.V. documentary series. Under her previous leadership as communications director, national media coverage of P.O.V. programs have more than tripled. She has forged strategic partnerships with Harpo Studios, Netflix, ABC News’ Nightline, WNYC New York Public Radio, Pentagram, Inc., Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Ms. Magazine, among many others. The promotional campaign Lopez spearheaded for the P.O.V. film, Farmingville, won the prestigious EPPSilon Award.
Before joining P.O.V., Lopez spent four years at Libraries for the Future as Advocacy Director, developing innovative strategies to serve some of the nations poorest libraries. She is also a founding board member of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) and is an advisor to REEL New York (Thirteen/WNET New York). She has been a presenter at a variety of venues including: Medimed (Spain), Prague Eastern European International Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Hot Docs (Canada), SilverDocs, Independent Feature Project, White House Conference on Libraries, United Nations Women’s Conference, Channels for Change (Scotland) Center for Democratic Communications (South Africa) and Videazimut (Peru), among others.
Nancy Schwartzman
Nancy Schwartzman is a filmmaker, writer and activist working for over thirteen years to create community solutions to combat sexual violence and promote public debate. She recently completed the 24-minute documentary The Line, a personal film that explores consent from a sex-positive point of view. With an emphasis on interactivity, new media and dialogue, she launched THE LINE Campaign and group blog WhereIsYourLine.org to continue the discussion. Her work has been profiled in Time Out New York, Feministing.com, Think.MTV.com, Ms. Magazine, Bust Magazine and more.
Nancy is the founder of NYC-Safestreets.org an online initiative noted by The New York Times, Gawker, The Village Voice and The Daily News to engage community organizations and businesses to create safer routes for pedestrians, especially women. From 2002 to 2005 she was a founding editor and creative director of HEEB Magazine. For six years Nancy was the program officer at the Fund for Jewish Documentary Film. She has curated short film festivals at the Pioneer Theater, Berlin, London and Tel Aviv. Her essays have been featured in The Independent, HEEB, Sh’ma and Plenty Magazine, and the upcoming anthology “Pleasure and Peril: Moving Past the Sex Wars.”
Melinda Tenezapf
Melinda Tenenzapf is a 19-year-old student of film and political science at Marlboro College in Vermont. Melinda hails from Brooklyn, New York, where she was raised by her Jewish father and Jamaican nanny. Growing up in a diverse family, with regular visits to the Jamaican countryside, her unique childhood inspired her to make her first documentary, Jewmaican, at age 15.
While continuing to explore her own background, Melinda aspires to tackle the issues of globalization and inequality through her films, as she already does through her studies. She is currently an intern with Nomadic Wax global Hip Hop label & production company in Brooklyn, working as an assistant editor on the upcoming documentary, Democracy in Paris.
View past festival jury members
Edited by Daniel Cassady and Austra Zubkovs
Published on March 1, 2010
February 27: Democracy in Dakar Screens in the Black History Month Film Program at Lafayette College, PA
MTM8 filmmakers Ben Herson and Magee McIlvaine, as well as their producer Chris Moore, will attend a symposium focusing on their most recent film Democracy in Dakar. The film screening will be followed by a panel with the filmmakers and Moussa Sall, a Senegalese rapper featured in the film. Herson and McIlaine won the MTM8 Roots & Rhymes Award for their film African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, which inspired them to start Nomadic Wax – the successful Hip Hop record label and film/events production company.
Saturday February 27th
12-4PM
FREE
Lafayette College
Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
317 Hamilton Street
Easton, PA
Lafayette College will be celebrating Black History Month throughout the month of February with lectures, an art exhibit, films, discussions, workshops, and performances.
For the complete listing of events, visit the college’s website.
For more information about the College’s Black History Month celebration, contact Amina DeBurst, assistant director of intercultural development at debursta@lafayette.edu.
Published on February 27, 2010
February 20: Selected Media That Matters Films and Filmmaker Q&A at Brooklyn Museum at 2:00 – 4:00 P.M
Highlights from Media That Matters at The Brooklyn Museum.
Selections highlighting Black History Month and feminist issues from the Media That Matters Film Festival will be screened, followed by a Q&A session with some of the films’ directors and staff from Arts Engine.
Saturday, February 20, 2–4 p.m.
Elizabeth Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor
Films include:
Diana (MTM8)
Perversion of Justice (MTM8)
Locusts (MTM9)
Knock Knock (MTM9)
I’m Not a Boy (MTM8)
Why Do White People Have Black Spots? (MTM9)
A Girl Like Me (MTM6)
Published on February 20, 2010
February 12: Africa Underground to screen at The Pan African Film and Arts Festival in L.A.
The feature-length film of MTM8’s Africa Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, entitled Democracy in Dakar by Filmmakers Magee McIlvaine, Ben Herson and Chris Moore, will screen at The 18th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles on February 12th at 9:15pm.
Bridging the gap between hip-hop activism and video journalism, this groundbreaking documentary explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process during recent presidential elections in Senegal.
Published on February 12, 2010
February 6: African Underground to screen in Portland, OR at the Cascade Festival of African Films
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar - the longer feature of MTM8’s Hip Hop in Senegal—will be screened as part of the 20th Cascade Festival of African Films in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, February 6 at 2:30 PM.
The Cascade Festival of African Films honors the art and craft of filmmaking from that continent. The movies imported for the festival draw capacity crowds every year and are shown Thursdays through Sundays at various North Portland locations through February and early March. It’s a film festival with one of the largest collections of African films in the Northwest and its dedicated legion of volunteers are set to celebrate its 20th year by bringing acclaimed Ethiopian film director Haile Gerima to Portland.
The festival honoring Black History Month runs from Feb. 5 through March 6 at the Cascade Campus’s Moriarty Auditorium (705 N. Killingsworth St.), McMenamins Kennedy School Theatre (5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.) and the Hollywood Theatre (4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.). The Cascade Festival of African Films is free and open to the public. It features a wide range of films and special matinee days and feature nights. They include StudentFest Matinee on Feb. 18, Family Film Day on Feb. 20 and ends with Women’s Filmmakers Week.
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar
Saturday Documentary Matinee
Saturday, February 6th 2010, 2:30 PM,
Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Room 104
Sponsored by Columbia River Peace Corps Association
All films are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Published on February 6, 2010
MTM8 Argentina: Turning Around’s dvd now available on the McNabb Connolly’s online film catalogue
MTM8 awarded Argentina: Turning Around and Argentina: Hope in Hard Times by filmmakers Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin are now available on dvd via the Canadian McNabb Connolly Foundation’s online film catalogue. Each dvd includes extra resources and both Spanish and English versions of the films.
Visit their website for more information.
Published on February 4, 2010
January 23: MTM Awarded INFORM unveils a new video from its Secret Life Series in New York, NY
INFORM, whose directors produced the MTM9 The Secret Life of Paper, is currently working on a new short video for its Secret Life Series. The Secret Life of Beef will preview at the Generation INFORMed night in New York on Saturday January 23rd.
Along with the video, the event will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, Eco Hustler MC, free gift bags, and raffle prizes. In addition, the first 100 people to buy tickets will receive Lucid Food Cooking for an Ecoconcious Life by Louisa Shafia.
INFORM is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to using new media to build environmental literacy in the general public. Their new video, The Secret Life of Beef, addresses the environmental impact of livestock production and consumption.
The $40 tickets include unlimited cocktails and hors d’oeuvres…
A night not to be missed!
Saturday, January 23rd
8:00 to 11:00 PM
$40 in advance ($50 at the door)
Environment Furniture Store
18th & Broadway
New York
Click official invite and directions.
Published on January 23, 2010
Jan 22: MTM8’ Every Third Bite screens as part of The Night of Foodie Flicks in Chattanooga, TN
The Meerkat Media Collective’s film Every Third Bite, winner of MTM8’ Good Food Award, will be screening Friday January 22th at 7:30pm as part of The Night of Foodie Flicks along with other short and feature length food related films in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The screening will be held immediately following the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s (SSAWG) annual conference, Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms. Held in Chattanooga for the second year in a row, the conference draws 1100+ attendees from across the region. This event aims to create a dialogue between this group and the Chattanooga public.
Friday January 22th
7:30 –9:00 PM
FREE
CreateHere
55 E Main Street, Suite 105
Chattanooga, TN
For the schedule in whole and directions, please visit this website.
For more information, contact Veronique Bergeron via e-mail at veronique@createhere.org, or by calling 423.648.2195
Published on January 22, 2010
January 22: MTM9 Screening at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Join the Film Studies Department at Minnesota State University Moorhead for a free screening of the ninth annual Media That Matters collection.
Date: Friday, January 22, 2010
Start Time: 7:00 pm (Time Zone: US/Central)
Location: Weld 106 (Glasrud Auditorium)
MSUM - Moorhead 56563
Questions?: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Published on January 22, 2010
January 22: MTM8’s Every Third Bite screens at Green Spaces and CreateHere in Chattanooga, TN
MTM8 film, Every Third Bite, is among the foodie flicks being screened at two venues immediately following the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group’s (SSAWG) annual conference, Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms. Held in Chattanooga for the second year in a row, the conference draws 1100+ attendees from across the region.
Screening includes feature length and short films:
Buttermilk: It Can Help | Hush Hoggies Hush | Greenhorns | The Adventures of the Big Bad Chef | Every Third Bite | Smoke & Ears | Mutton: The Movie | Home Grown
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at both:
CreateHere, 55 E Main Street, Suite 105 and
green|spaces, 63 E Main Street
More details here, also contact Veronique Bergeron via e-mail at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or by calling 423.648.2195
Published on January 22, 2010
Tenth Annual Media That Matters Call for Entries - Extended Deadline - January 29!
ALERT: We are extending the call for entries for a late deadline.
Complete submissions must be submitted online / mailed with a postmark no later than January 29, 2010.
Please be aware that there is a fee increase of $5 from midnight, January 22nd. No waivers will be granted.
Extended Deadline postmarked by: January 29th 2010
* Individual Filmmaker: $30 / each film submission; Max: 2 submissions
* Student Filmmaker (18+): $15 w/ Student ID; Max: 2 submissions
* Youth Filmmaker (18 & under): FREE w/ proof of age; Max: 2 submissions
* Non-profit / Youth Media Organization: FREE; Max: 5 submissions
Please visit our SUBMIT page for more information!
www.mediathatmattersfest.org/submit
Thanks
- MTM
Published on January 21, 2010
January 18 - 20: MTM9 Screening at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center in New Orleans, LA
The ninth annual Media That Matters collection will be screening for 3 days from January 18-20th at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70113
January 18-20 at 5:30 PM
Published on January 18, 2010
January 13: Garbage Dreams from MTM Filmmaker Mai Iskander screens in Colorado Springs, CO
The Independent Film Society of Colorado will screen Garbage Dreams from MTM Filmmaker Mai Iskander, as part of its January 2010 Film Series. The short-length version of Garbage Dreams, IFSOC website
Published on January 13, 2010
January 6-12: Garbage Dreams from MTM7 Filmmaker Mai Iskander screens at the IFC Center in New York, NY
Garbage Dreams, the feature-length version of MTM7’ We are the Zaballeen, will be screening at the IFC Center in New York City from Wednesday January 6th to Tuesday January 12th. We are the Zaballeen had won MTM7’ Sustainability Award . Director Mai Iskander will appear in person at the 6:30pm shows nightly from Wednesday, January 6 through Sunday, January 10.
To attend one of the shows (6 per day), call (212) 924-7771 or click here for schedules, ticket info and directions.
Published on January 12, 2010
December 28: Argentina Turning Around screens at Modern Times Bookstore in San Francisco, CA
MTM8 Labor Award winner Argentina Turning Around will be screening at Modern Times Bookstore in San Francisco on Monday December 28th as part of the Left Turn Magazine‘s Left Turn Movie Nights. The Film, from Director Melissa Young, provides an intimate and unique view of a new community development model growing in Buenos Aires, in the context of the new economic democracy underway in Argentina.
Monday, December 28th
7:00 PM
Modern Times Bookstore
888 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA
94110
Fore more information, please visit this website www.moderntimesbookstore.com
Published on December 28, 2009
Support The Next Wave Filmmakers and Pre-Order Feature-Length DVD Today!
Support Filmmakers Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger as they finish up their feature length version of MTM9 Jury Award winner The Next Wave entitled Sun Come Up.
You can now pre-order the film on DVD and at the same time help the filmmakers to finish up their film. Read the note below for more information.
As we approach the end of this journey, we would love your help in finishing the film. Our plan is to pre-sell 560 DVDs for $25 (for a total of $14,000) to cover our editing for two more months. (Please note that we will send the DVDs when they are available for release. This could take up to several months after the project is completed). Of course, larger donations will help us meet our goal faster and are greatly appreciated! We would be most grateful if you would help to support our project and to spread the word.
We will post regular media and updates on the film and the campaign. Please check back often.
With heartfelt thanks,Jennifer & Tim
A tax-deductible contribution to the project can also be made through our fiscal sponsor Women Make Movies.
Published on December 15, 2009
MTM Filmmaker Lynn True Featured in New York Times 1 in 8 Million
Filmmaker Lynn True of MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life and MTM6’s In Transit is featured in the most recent New York Times 1 in 8 Million Piece.
It’s a great portrayal of Lynn’s love of sports in gorgeous black and white photography. A filmmaker’s life outside of film? Who knew!
Published on December 15, 2009
MTM7 Film African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal’s Feature Artist to Speak at National Geographic in DC
Nomadic Wax artist Waterflow, from the Wageble crew featured in the feature film Democracy in Dakar and its shorter MTM7 awarded version African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, will be speaking on the Distant Relatives panel with Damian Marley and Nas (and many more) at National Geographic Live in DC on Saturday December 12th. The conversation, on the Deep-Rooted Connections and Evolution of Reggae and Hip-Hop will be moderated by MTV VJ Sway.
Nomadic Wax produced the MTM7’ Roots & Rhymes awarded film African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, in which Waterflow and others embody and speak about the transformative role of Hip Hop on politics in Senegal.
The panel can be watched live here.
For more information, please contact Ben Herson, Executive Director and Producer at Nomadic Wax:
www.nomadicwax.com
Published on December 12, 2009
December 10: MTM Filmmakers screening Argentina: Hope in Hard Times in Seattle, WA
MTM8 Filmmakers Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young‘s film Argentina : Hope in hard Times (2004) will be screening Thursday December 10th at Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, WA.
Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin won the MTM8 Labor Award for Argentina Turning Around, also showing the efforts and the new development model to rebuild communities in the aftermath of the 2001 economic collapse in Argentina.
The event will mark the 10th anniversary of the WTO protests in Seattle. On that occasion, the two local filmmakers, with a deep history of social-issue filmmaking, will also screen raw footage of the WTO protests and attend a post-screening Q&A.
Thursday, December 10th
7:00 PM
$5 General (Free to Members and Students w/ID)
Henry Art Gallery
4100 15th Ave. N.E.
(University of Washington Campus)
Seattle, WA
98195
For more information on the event and directions, please visit this website or contact Henry Art Gallery: 543-2280.
Published on December 10, 2009
Meerkat Media Filmmakers Collective of MTM6 and MTM8 Fame Win 2009 Brooklyn Film Race
Meerkat Media Collective recently participated in the Brooklyn Film Race 2009 and won several awards for their short film The Wants. One of its filmmakers, Jay Sterrenberg and many more, took up the challenge to write, shoot and edit an original short film in just 24 hours.
Meerkat Media Arts Collective has produced dozens of short films featured in various festivals across the country and Jay Sterrenberg is a longtime educator and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. He was part of the Meerkat Media collective of filmmakers who won an award in MTM8 for the short documentary film Every Third Bite and the MTM6 film How Wal-Mart Came to Haslett .
Meerkat Media Collective’s new film premiere The Wants was screened on Thursday October 22nd at Brooklyn Heights Cinema in Brooklyn, NY. You can watch the competition version, and their edited and improved version on their website.
Published on December 9, 2009
MTM8 Filmmaker Mai Iskander wins an IDA Award for her film Garbage Dreams
Garbage Dreams, from MTM Filmmaker Mai Iskander, was awarded the new Humanitas Award at the International Documentary Association’s 2009 competition on Friday December 4th.
Mai Iskander’s short version of Garbage Dreams, entitled We are the Zaballeen, won the MTM7 Sustainability Award. Her film depicts Egyptian entrepreneurial garbage collectors’ efforts to evolve their trade in the modern world.
Congratulations to Mai!
To check out the 2009 IDA Documentary Awards in full, please visit this website.
Published on December 9, 2009
MTM Filmmaker Emile Bokaer interviewed on Merging Arts’s Spoiler Alert Radio
MTM9 Filmmaker Emile Bokaer was recently interviewed on the Spoiler Alert Online Radio program, produced by Merging Arts. The interview was conducted by Toni Pennacchia, director of the Merging Arts Short Short Story Film Festival and mainly focused on the filmmaker’s background and the story behind Looking Back. The full interview in podcast is available here.
Published on December 2, 2009
MTM Producer Karen Chien nominated for a Spirit Award
MTM7’s Producer Karen Chien was nominated today for a Spirit Award for her work on the independent feature films The Exploding Girl (2009 Berlin International Film Festival) and Santa Mesa (2008 San Diego Asian Film Festival Jury Award).
Karen Chien also produced By-standing: The beginning of an American Lifetime, showing a collective of women of color of different ages who use spoken word to express their view of a society based on justice.
The Indie Film Spirit Awards’ 25th ceremony will air live and uncut in Los Angeles on on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. PST/11:00 p.m. EST on IFC. Early nominees for the Spirit Awards include Spike Lee, the Coen Brothers, Jim Jarmush and others.
Check their website to browse the 2010 nominations in full.
Published on December 1, 2009
November 21 and 28: Looking Back Screens at 2009 MergingArts Short Short Story Film Festival in NYC and Providence, RI
Emile Bokaer’s film Looking Back from MTM9 will screen at the 2009 MergingArts Short Short Story Film Festival as part of the “Heartstrings” program.
There are a couple of screenings and locations so make sure you catch it and make a donation!
Saturday, November 21st
7:00 pm FREE
Think Coffee
248 Mercer Street (@West 3rd)
New York, New York USA
Saturday, November 28th
Cable Car Cinema & Cafe
204 South Main Street
Providence, Rhode Island USA
1:00 PM - Heartstrings Program $7
7:00 PM - Heartstrings Program $9 ($7 students/seniors)
Link to schedule on MergingArts website:
http://www.mergingartsproductions.com/Film/SSS/2009/FestivalMain.aspx
Published on November 28, 2009
MTM8’s Film The Countdown to be added into Culture Unplugged Film Festival’s special collection
MTM8’s Film The Countdown, by filmmaker Rene Dongo in collaboration with spoken word artist Sofia Snow, has recently been added to the Culture Unplugged online film festival’s special collection. The Countdown won Link TV’s “Best Youth Film (18 and Under)” at the 2008 Culture Unplugged Festival, which awards best short films and documentaries with an outlook on prevalent social issues.
Published on November 24, 2009
Garbage Dreams Shortlisted for 2009 Oscar® for Documentary Feature!
Congratulations to MTM7’s Mai Iskander who’s film GARBAGE DREAMS has just been announced on the shortlist for Best Documentary Feature for the 82nd Academy Awards®
The short version of GARBAGE DREAMS, entitled WE ARE THE ZABALLEEN can be purchased on our seventh annual Media That Matters DVD.
Let us know what you think about this film and where you plan on hosting a screening! Remember that all public screening costs are included with the purchase of the DVD.
And the free downloadable Discussion Guide can be the perfect accompaniment for when you watch the longer version too.
Here are all 15 shortlisted films:
* “The Beaches of Agnes,” Agnès Varda, director (Cine-Tamaris)
* “Burma VJ,” Anders Østergaard, director (Magic Hour Films)
* “The Cove,” Louie Psihoyos, director (Oceanic Preservation Society)
* “Every Little Step,” James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, directors (Endgame Entertainment)
* “Facing Ali,” Pete McCormack, director (Network Films Inc.)
* “Food, Inc.,” Robert Kenner, director (Robert Kenner Films)
* “Garbage Dreams,” Mai Iskander, director (Iskander Films, Inc.)
* “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders,” Mark N. Hopkins, director (Red Floor Pictures LLC)
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, directors (Kovno Communications)
* “Mugabe and the White African,” Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey, directors (Arturi Films Limited)
* “Sergio,” Greg Barker, director (Passion Pictures and Silverbridge Productions)
* “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, directors (Freedom Song Productions)
* “Under Our Skin,” Andy Abrahams Wilson, director (Open Eye Pictures)
* “Valentino The Last Emperor,” Matt Tyrnauer, director (Acolyte Films)
* “Which Way Home,” Rebecca Cammisa, director (Mr. Mudd)
Published on November 19, 2009
MTM Filmmaker Melissa Mummert interviewed about her new film Life Without
Melissa Mummert, filmmaker of MTM8’s Perversion of Justice, was recently interviewed in the Charlotte Observer on the issue of incarcerated parents and their children, an issue covered in both Perversion of Justice and her new autobiography film Life Without, which premieres Thursday Nov. 19 at The Light Factory in Charlotte, NC.
Read the full article here and learn about the stories behind Mummert’s documentary projects and work with kids whose parents are incarcerated.
Find out more about criminal justice issues by browsing our MTM related film selection.
Published on November 19, 2009
November 19 and 21: Looking Back screens at the 2009 Starz Denver Film Festival
Emile Bokaer’s film Looking Back from MTM9 will screen on November 19th and 21st at the this page for all information on the screenings, schedules and locations!
Published on November 19, 2009
November 18: Good Food Screening at Casket Cinema in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 8:00PM
Minneapolis, Minnesota screening of Media That Matters: Good Food
Wednesday, November 18 2009 08:00 PM
FREE, RSVP required
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Casket Cinema is a having a special November screening of GOOD FOOD, 12 short films on food and sustainability with special guest, organic farmer Dave of “Hogsback farms” on Wednesday, 11/18 at 8pm. Farmer Dave Van Eeckhout will be on hand to engage the audience on the wonders of natural farming, csa and his take on our food situation. So please save the date of 11/18 at 8pm!
your $5 donation, after film costs will go to a food charity TBD.
Casket Cinema is located in the art studio of Mark Wojahn & Tobin Russell
Doors will be at 7:30pm, film at 8pm.
You can join the Casket Cinema facebook group at;
http://www.facebook.com/group
for more info on Farmer Dave please visit his website at: http://www.hogsbackfarm.com/
HOSTED BY: Mark Wojahn, Hogsback Farm’s David Van Eeckhout.
WHERE: Casket Cinema at Studio 145
681 17th Ave NE #145
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
DIRECTIONS: BYOB and enter in the NE loading dock door and under the big red arrow.
CONTACT: Mark Wojahn for more details.
RSVP at bravenewtheaters.com!
Published on November 18, 2009
We Are The Zaballeen NGO Wins $1 Million Grant From The Gates Foundation
Great news in the social-issue documentary world, as award winning filmmaker Mai Iskander successfully shines a light on a progressive but struggling NGO in Egypt. The Gates Foundation recently awarded a $1 million grant to The Spirit of Youth Association, the NGO profiled in MTM7’s We Are The Zaballeen and the feature documentary version, entitled Garbage Dreams.
The boys featured in MTM7’s We Are The Zaballeen are members of the NGO, which teaches the processes and theories of recycling.
Good luck and congratulations to everyone involved!
Looking forward to hearing updates.
Find out how you can get involved in recycling practices in your neighborhood.
Published on November 17, 2009
November 11-15: Bits & Pieces Screens at Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington, NC
MTM9’s Bits & Pieces has been selected to screen as part of the 15th Annual Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington, NC on Nov 11-15.
Here is some more about the event!
Cucalorus, named one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals” by Moviemaker Magazine, is celebrating its 15th anniversary as an international film festival located in the historic, port city of Wilmington, NC. The festival is non-competitive to create a laid-back atmosphere and to foster open dialogue where filmmakers and audience feel free to share stories and socialize. Cucalorus provides a forum where film becomes a player in the social and political arena and offers a new voice for the South. Over 10,000 tickets were sold in 2008 and over 130 films will screen this November 11th-15th, 2009.
Published on November 11, 2009
November 7: MTM8 Hammoudi to be screened at the United Nations Association Film Festival in Houston, TX
The Houston local chapter of the United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) will be showing MTM8 Filmmaker Anwar Saab‘s film Hammoudi as part of its 1st Traveling Exhibition, a selection of the UNAFF12 films chosen to be hosted by local UNA chapters across the nation and the world throughout the year.
The UNAFF screens documentaries by international filmmakers dealing with topics such as human rights, environmental survival, women’s issues, children, refugee protection, and more. Hammoudi deals with the impact of arm conflicts on innocent civilians in a moving and unique portrait of Lebanese Mohammad in his post-war life. The film has won the MTM Jury Award in 2008.
Hammoudi will be screening Saturday November 7th in Houston, Texas.
For the UNAFF schedule in full and directions, please visit this website.
Published on November 7, 2009
November 7: MTM Co-Presents Screening of Lone Wolf and The Yes Men Fix The World in San Francisco, CA at 9pm
Join MTM for a special screening of Lone Wolf along with new film The Yes Men Fix The World at Roxie Theater in San Francisco, CA on November 7 at 9pm.
Lone Wolf filmmaker Jason Sussberg will be present for a Q&A following the film.
http://theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings.htm
Roxie Theater, San Francisco CA
3117 16th Street
http://www.roxie.com/
LONE WOLF
The rights of an independent journalist are compromised by the government’s attempts to control media content.
The Media That Matters Film Festival is the premiere showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. Local and global, online and in communities around the world, Media That Matters engages diverse audiences and inspires them to take action.
THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a screwball true story about two gonzo political activists who, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their way into big business conferences and pull off the world’s most outrageous pranks. From New Orleans to India to New York City, armed with little more than cheap thrift-store suits, the Yes Men squeeze raucous comedy out of all the ways that corporate greed is destroying the planet. Bruno meets Michael Moore in this gut-busting wake-up call that proves how far a little imagination can go towards vanquishing the Cult of Greed. Who knew fixing the world could be so much fun?
Advance Praise for THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Winner - Audience Award - Berlin International Film Festival
“It shines with raw wit and originality.” - Newsweek
“Hilarious, therapeutic, inspiring. The Yes Men are geniuses.” - Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine and No Logo
“Funnier and more useful than Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno.” - The Observer
“Comedic vigilante justice… Media-savvy pie-to-the-face.” - USA Today
“This is the year’s top documentary film.” - New Scientist
“This movie is a hoot, and a pertinent one at that.” - Hollywood Reporter
Oh, and our favorites:
“We think it is a serious matter when people willingly misrepresent themselves.” - Exxon
“It’s really a sick, twisted - I don’t even want to refer to it as a joke.” - US Department of Housing and Urban Development
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! http://theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings.htm
Published on November 7, 2009
November 5 - 9: Arts Engine in Jerusalem with b(art) and Al-Quds University
Arts Engine and the Media That Matters Film Festival Director of Festival and Outreach Maia Ermita will be joining a global collective of filmmakers and festival programmers in conjunction with the b(art) organization to examine the place of independent film in entertainment, advocacy, and social change throughout a series of screenings at Jerusalem Cinematheque.
The visit will conclude with a day-long symposium with students from The Honors College at Al-Quds Univeristy—a liberal arts program developed in collaboration with Bard College that offers the region’s first four-year, American-Palestinian dual-degree undergraduate program—focusing on developing tools for media education in the classroom.
b(independent)?
November 5-7, 2009 | Jerusalem
b(art) invites film fans and artists to join together for a celebration of purposeful filmmaking and to explore the role of independent film as an agent of discovery and change.
Aspen Film| Cook County | Adela | Media That Matter | Clear Films
Documentary and drama, short and feature-length, film is a leading vehicle for providing new and challenging perspectives.
“Independent Film” is a term often used, but increasingly difficult to define. What is the set of values and practical realities that lie behind an assertion of independence? Can one be fully “independent” and still have an impact?
Over the course of three days, b(art) will examine the place of independent film in entertainment, advocacy, and social change with intimate film screenings, a photographic exhibition, gallery talks, and an interactive panel discussion with accomplished filmmakers and industry professionals.
Please join us for this behind-the-scenes look into independent film.
Guests:
George Eldred - Program Director, Aspen Film
David Pomes - Writer & Director, Cook County
Danielle Bernstein - Filmmaker and Producer, Clear Films
Adolfo B. Alix Jr. - Director, Adela
Maia Ermita - Festival and Outreach Director, Media That Matters / Arts Engine
Published on November 5, 2009
November 4: Something’s Moving Screens at Colorado State University, CO
MTM8 Unspoken Truth Award winner Something’s Moving will be presented as part of a lecture given by a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Walter Littlemoon this Wednesday November 4th at the Colorado State University campus. His book, They Called Me Uncivilized, The Memoir of an Everyday Lakota Man from Wounded Knee, reflects his experience of living through sanctioned prejudice and institutionalization and the impact federal Indian policies have had on his family history.
In Something’s Moving, Filmmaker Randy Vasquez explores, in a similar manner, the reality and legacy of American Indian boarding schools through the voices and stories of survivors, and follows their courageous attempts at healing themselves, their families, and their communities from this little-known and seminal 20th century trauma.
Wednesday, November 4th
6 pm, FREE
Eddy Room 10
Colorado State University campus
Fort Collins, CO 80521
For more information about the lecture, please contact:
Kimberly Sorensen
970.491.0757
Kimberly.Sorensen@ColoState.EDU
or visit this website.
Published on November 4, 2009
November 4 - 8: Arts Engine at Sheffield Doc/Fest in Sheffield, England
Media That Matters Festival & Outreach Manager Leah Sapin will be at Sheffield Doc/Fest this year. Check out their listing of events, screenings and speakers and check back for blog posts covering the festival!
Sheffield Doc/Fest brings the international documentary family together to celebrate the art and business of documentary making for five intense days in November. Doc/Fest is a film festival, industry session programme and marketplace, offering pitching opportunities, controversial discussion panels and in-depth filmmaker masterclasses, as well as a wealth of inspirational documentary films from across the globe.
Media That Matters will be at the following sessions:
DocDay - Wednesday 04 November 2009, 9:30AM, HUBS C
DFG Newcomers Day Session 3 - My Way: Taking the Indie Route - Thursday 05 November 2009, 2:00PM, Site 1
Newsflash! - Saturday 07 November 2009, 12:15PM, HUBS B
Published on November 4, 2009
November 4: MTM Co-Presents Screening of Looking Back and The Yes Men Fix The World in San Francisco, CA at 9pm
Join MTM for a special screening of Looking Back along with new film The Yes Men Fix The World at Roxie Theater in San Francisco, CA on November 4 at 9pm.
Emile Bokaer will be present for a Q&A following the film.
http://theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings.htm
Roxie Theater, San Francisco CA
3117 16th Street
http://www.roxie.com/
LOOKING BACK
Homeless Veteran Albert Lewis photographs his life and sheds light on the support of his community.
The Media That Matters Film Festival is the premiere showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day. Local and global, online and in communities around the world, Media That Matters engages diverse audiences and inspires them to take action.
THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a screwball true story about two gonzo political activists who, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their way into big business conferences and pull off the world’s most outrageous pranks. From New Orleans to India to New York City, armed with little more than cheap thrift-store suits, the Yes Men squeeze raucous comedy out of all the ways that corporate greed is destroying the planet. Bruno meets Michael Moore in this gut-busting wake-up call that proves how far a little imagination can go towards vanquishing the Cult of Greed. Who knew fixing the world could be so much fun?
Advance Praise for THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Winner - Audience Award - Berlin International Film Festival
“It shines with raw wit and originality.” - Newsweek
“Hilarious, therapeutic, inspiring. The Yes Men are geniuses.” - Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine and No Logo
“Funnier and more useful than Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno.” - The Observer
“Comedic vigilante justice… Media-savvy pie-to-the-face.” - USA Today
“This is the year’s top documentary film.” - New Scientist
“This movie is a hoot, and a pertinent one at that.” - Hollywood Reporter
Oh, and our favorites:
“We think it is a serious matter when people willingly misrepresent themselves.” - Exxon
“It’s really a sick, twisted - I don’t even want to refer to it as a joke.” - US Department of Housing and Urban Development
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! http://theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings.htm
Published on November 4, 2009
October 26: MTM8 Filmmaker Melissa Young screens Good Food at Stanwood High School Performing Arts Center, in WA
Melissa Young, who co-directed MTM8 Labor Awarded Film Argentina Turning Around with Mark Dworkin, will be screening her feature-length documentary, Good Food, which looks at the development of a sustainable food system in the Northwest. Melissa Young will be in attendance to provide an introduction to the screening of the film to be held this Monday October 26th, at 7pm, at the Stanwood High School Performing Arts Center, in WA.
For more information on the event, check this page or call the local library at 360-629-3132.
Published on October 26, 2009
The Next Wave Filmmaker Interviewed in Treehugger about Carteret Islands
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), filmmaker of MTM9’s Jury Award winning The Next Wave was recently interviewed in Treehugger.com about the fate of the Carteret Islanders; a story covered in The Next Wave and the upcoming feature-length version of the documentary entitled Sun Come Up.
Read more about it here and find out how you can get involved.
There are more tips about how you can become involved in the fight to curb climate change in a recent Tips From The T List article covering the Carteret Islands.
Published on October 22, 2009
October 18: Screening of Every Third Bite at 15 Short Film Festival in Charlotte, NC at 6:30PM
MTM8’s Every Third Bite was selected to be a part of Charlotte, NC’s annual 15 Short Film Festival.
The fall collection screens at THE EVENING MUSE at 6:30PM.
5 Short Film Festival showcases a wide range of short films (the “15” in the title means that no work can exceed 15 minutes in length), with the winning pieces coming from 15 different countries. The categories are DRAMA, COMEDY, ANIMATION, EXPERIMENTAL, and DOCUMENTARY. There will be a fall festival (October 18, 2009) and a spring festival (April 2010)
Published on October 18, 2009
October 17: MTM Filmmaker Rene Dongo’s film Dear Mr President Screens at NEMPAC festival in Boston, MA
The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) will screen MTM Filmmaker Rene Dongo‘s most recent film Dear Mr President as part of its first annual Short Film Festival’s official film selection.
Rene Dongo won the MTM8 Emerging Artist Award for his film The Countdown, a documentary featuring spoken word artist Sofia Snow on the subject of 9/11 events.
Thursday, October 22
7:00pm - 11:00pm, $10
Hard Rock Cafe Boston
22-24 Clinton Street
Boston, MA
To view the NEMPAC 2009 Film Selection in full, check this website.
For more information, please contact NEMPAC’s director, Jonathan Sproul:
Phone: 6175193106
Email: jonathansproul@gmail.com
Published on October 17, 2009
October 17: Selected MTM9 Films at PaleyDocFest09 in NY, NY at 2:00 - 4:00PM
The feature length version of MTM9’s The Next Wave entitled Sun Come Up will be one of five pre-selected projects to pitch their idea at The Paley Center’s PaleyDocFest09 on Saturday October 17th.
MTM9’s Bits & Pieces and Why Do White People Have Black Spots will also screen for the audience during the jury deliberation.
Good luck Jennifer!
Buy your tickets now!
THE ART OF THE DOCUMENTARY PITCH WORKSHOP
Sponsored by SnagFilms
Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 – 4:00pm
A workshop/competition in which five pre-selected emerging documentary filmmakers pitch their ideas to a panel of distinguished documentary executives and producers.
Paley Center
25 West 52 Street
New York NY 10019
Published on October 17, 2009
October 17: Screening of MTM9 as part of Urban Mediamakers Film Festival in Norcross, GA
October 17 in Norcross, GA
Urban Mediamakers Film Festival
Marriott Hotel Norcross
475 Technology Parkway
Norcross, GA 30010
Free, all-day screening of the ninth annual Media That Matters Film Festival
Check out their Highlights Video!
Published on October 17, 2009
October 15: Select MTM Screening & Presentation at Representing Ourselves: From the Grassroots Festival in NY, NY
MTM9’s Knock, Knock, Who’s There? and Locusts will be screened as part of the “Representing Ourselves: From the Grassroots IV” 2009 Film Festival on October 15th.
Director of Locusts, Joe Namy will be present, along with MTM’s Festival & Outreach Manager, Leah Sapin, who will discuss strategies and considerations for distributing video on the internet on a panel along with Picture the Homeless, the Participatory Culture Foundation and May First/People Link.
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location:
The LGBT Center
208 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
For more information and to register, click here: nycgrassrootsfilmfest09.eventbrite.com
Published on October 15, 2009
MTM Filmmaker Ben Herson Speaks to the BBC about “Life on Planet Hip Hop”
MTM supporter and filmmaker of MTM8’s African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal, Ben Herson, spoke with BBC News about African Underground and the global hip hop movement.
Check out the article, along with audio interview and a cool audio/video map locating various international hip hop artists. Read more about developments in the feature-length version of our short at Nomadic Wax‘s website.
Published on October 12, 2009
October 11: MTM Co-Presents Premiere Screening of The Yes Men Fix The World in New York, NY at 8:00PM
Join MTM and The Yes Men for a special screening of their new film The Yes Men Fix The World at The Film Forum on Sunday, October 11th at 8:00PM.
MTM will be present for a Q&A following the film, along with Andy Bichlbaum of The Yes Men and Jennifer Redfearn, filmmaker of MTM9’s The Next Wave. We will be showing a short clip from Jennifer’s film preceding the feature.
Read for more details:
As you may know, The Yes Men Fix The World the film is coming out theatrically next week at Film Forum (Oct. 7-20), before going out nationally to 25 cities and counting theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings. There’s a button to view the trailer right on the home page.
October 7, the film opens at Film Forum in New York City. Then, beginning October 23, the film rolls out to 25 cities (and counting).
THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a screwball true story about two gonzo political activists who, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their way into big business conferences and pull off the world’s most outrageous pranks. From New Orleans to India to New York City, armed with little more than cheap thrift-store suits, the Yes Men squeeze raucous comedy out of all the ways that corporate greed is destroying the planet. Bruno meets Michael Moore in this gut-busting wake-up call that proves how far a little imagination can go towards vanquishing the Cult of Greed. Who knew fixing the world could be so much fun?
Advance Praise for THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD
Winner - Audience Award - Berlin International Film Festival
“It shines with raw wit and originality.” - Newsweek
“Hilarious, therapeutic, inspiring. The Yes Men are geniuses.” - Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine and No Logo
“Funnier and more useful than Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno.” - The Observer
“Comedic vigilante justice… Media-savvy pie-to-the-face.” - USA Today
“This is the year’s top documentary film.” - New Scientist
“This movie is a hoot, and a pertinent one at that.” - Hollywood Reporter
Oh, and our favorites:
“We think it is a serious matter when people willingly misrepresent themselves.” - Exxon
“It’s really a sick, twisted - I don’t even want to refer to it as a joke.” - US Department of Housing and Urban Development
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!!
Published on October 11, 2009
October 10-11: Bits & Pieces Screens at Renderyard Short Film Festival in London and Spain
MTM9’s Bits and Pieces screened recently at the 5th Renderyard Short Film Festival (Oct 10-11, www.renderyard.com)
Here is some more about the event!
5th Renderyard Short Film Festival runs from 10th to 11th October 2009 and supports the screening of new short films and animations including documentaries. The Festival also includes music videos, film titles, scripts and film scores. The Festival is held in London and Spain and we screen the films at the best venue in central London which is the Roxy Bar & Screen. The festival is also held in Spain at the the Lacolmena Cinema and the Biblioteca in Logrono in La Rioja. The films that are shown have been produced by drawing inspiration from personal sources and influences that allow each director to project their own reflections and ideas as new forms of visual self expression.
Published on October 10, 2009
October 8: MTM9 Screening at NEED Magazine Event in Minneapolis, MN at 7:00PM
NEED magazine presents a screening of the Ninth annual Media that Matters Film Festival, including a spoken word performance by Poetic Assassins.
Oak Street Cinema
309 Oak St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 331-3134
Afterparty
Stub & Herb’s
227 Oak St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-0555
Tickets are available at the door and online
This event will bring leaders from nonprofit and community organizations together to screen 12 award-winning short films that represent different social issues. Each organization leader will relate to a certain film and will be available to answer questions and spark conversation. Help us make an impact and hold true to the film festival’s mantra of “Screen. Act. Impact.”
Food and drink sponsorsFinnegan’s Irish Amber Ale will be available for purchase at the Oak Street Theater. 100% of proceeds go to charity.
Stub & Herb’s will have food available at the Oak Street Theater, and don’t miss the MTM afterparty at Stub & Herb’s!
Published on October 8, 2009
October: The Secret Life of Paper and Feature-Length Water Warriors at Eco Film Fest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
MTM9’s Secret Life of Paper will be screening alongside The Water Front; Liz Miller’s feature-length version of MTM6 and GOOD FOOD‘s Water Warriors as part of the month-long Eco Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Check them out for more details!
Eco Film Fest is back! This time we are featuring new award-winning environmental films (full length and shorties) that have never been screened before in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Catch these films this year in a month long festival at Palate Pallete, every Sunday(3:00 to 6:00 pm) from October 4th till October 25th and indulge in some cool green activities and food.
The Eco Film Fest is a festival for everyone – old and young. So come on out and shout green!
All movies are FREE (simply because we don’t believe in charging anyone who are keen to learn more about the environment).
Then read how you can screen your own curated collection of MTM films.
Published on October 1, 2009
October 1 to 24: MTM Filmmakers Present Film Series at Maysles Institute in Harlem, NY all Month
Filmmakers of MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life and MTM6’s In Transit and MTM4’s iThemba are presenting a series of events in Harlem, NY this month. Read below for more details!
Taken from POV’s Blog:
I just got an email from the filmmakers of Lumo (POV 2007) that there will be films and events celebrating Congolese culture and raising awareness about the conflict at the Mayles Cinema in New York City all this month. Three of Lumo’s producers — Louis Abelman, Lynn True and Nelson Walker — were involved with programming the series, which will include screenings, special events, panel discussions, performances and receptions.
According to their website, Congo in Harlem will not only offer New Yorkers the chance to see some great films, but it will also offer opportunities to discover Congolese culture, learn about the ongoing humanitarian crisis, engage in dialog and get involved. Sounds great to us!This week’s events include screenings of Soul Power (10/1, 7:30 pm) and Lumumba (10/2 7:30 pm) with panel discussions, and a screening of “Yole!Africa short films” (10/3, 7:30 pm) and a Q&A with the directors.
Get the full schedule at the Maysles Institute website. For more information please contact the planners at (212) 582-6050 x206 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Volunteers needed throughout the month of October.
Published on October 1, 2009
Filmmaker of Exiled in America Featured in San Antonio News Article
Angela Torres Camarena, filmmaker of MTM9’s Exiled in America discusses her work and inspiration for the film that won last year’s Changemaker Award in San Antonio’s www.mysanantonio.com
Read the article and then check out how you can learn more and take action.
Published on September 28, 2009
September 27: Every Third Bite and Asparagus! (A Stalk-umentary) at Modesto Reel Food Film Festival in Modesto, CA
MTM8’s Every Third Bite and MTM: Good Food’s Asparagus! (A Stalk-umentary) will be screened as part of the Modesto Reel Food Film Festival on Sunday, September 27 at 2:00pm. The annual festival presents contemporary short movies with themes involving food, cooking, and eating. Details are below! For more information, visit the festival website.
Modesto Reel Food Film Festival
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00pm
State Theatre
1307 J Street, Modesto, California.
Tickets are only $10 for the tasting reception and the films.
Published on September 27, 2009
September 26: Screening of Selected MTM films at Aurora Picture Show’s Garden Party in Houston, TX at 6:30PM
MTM Good Food film Inch By Inch: Providence Youth Gardens for Education and MTM8’s Every Third Bite will screen at the Garden Party - an event hosted by Aurora Picture Show this Saturday along with a tour of the gardens and food / drinks.
In an evening that will get you off of your couch and out into nature, Aurora invites you to join in a garden party with film, food and flowers. Ride your bike, walk your legs or drive on over, but don’t forget your blankets or chairs to sit in the grasss for a night under the stars in Mandell Park in Houston’s Museum District. In partnership with Friends of Mandell Park and State Farm Agent E. Bailey Moore, Aurora Picture Show presents a night under the stars with short films about gardening and nature on Saturday, September 26 at 7PM in Mandell Park, 1501 Richmond Ave. The screening is curated by Mary Magsamen of Aurora Picture Show.
Bees, manicured lawn, community gardens and dung beetles are just a few of the subjects in this big-screen presentation of garden-inspired short films. The program features animation, live action and documentary films that highlight gardening and natural environments. In addition to the screening, gardeners from Meredith Gardens will host tours of the gardens and offer brief demonstrations of seed planting. Household chefs are also invited to arrive early with garden-inspired culinary treats to share with the community. Each chef will be entered into a drawing with gifts courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Fuze Beverages will also be on hand to share their yummy drinks.
WHAT TO BRING: Picnics, garden-inspired pot luck tasting, blankets and lawn chairs.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Alcoholic beverages, any glass containers.
Saturday, September 26th, 6:30PM Garden Tours and 7PM Screening
Location: Mandell Park, corner of Richmond and Mandell
Free Admission
Published on September 26, 2009
September 26: Screening of Every Third Bite at Last Supper Film Festival in Brooklyn, NY at 6PM
MTM8’s Every Third Bite will screen as part of The Last Supper Film Festival in Brooklyn this Saturday.
The Last Supper is a multimedia, project-based collaborative festival that addresses the act of consumption. Viewing the creative process as a cyclical, communally interactive conversation between media, it is a non-profit benefit event for the Food Bank of New York City. The Last Supper is an indoor-outdoor salon of ideas occurring in NYC during the crux of seasonal change at the end of September. As a feast for the senses and a symposium of genres, the gathering kindles the creative miasma infused by the city’s autumnal shift, harvesting the cornucopia of media in our own backyard and sparking an atmosphere for open dialog and collaboration. Short films and works from emerging directors and artists, edible installations from creative culinarians, performance, design projects, writing and music from several local bands and DJ’s will grace the dinner table. Each year, the show sparks dialog about consumption by curating projects based on a theme of global and local import. This year, more than 50 creators and volunteers will discuss ideas about “Means” with an audience of peers to evaluate our state of consumption. The decay of Summer and the emergence of Winter will be celebrated at the Fifth annual Last Supper.
Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 6pm-2am
3rd Ward, Brooklyn
195 Morgan Ave, Bushwick
Tickets Available at: www.brownpapertickets.com
Published on September 26, 2009
September 25: MTM9’s Bits & Pieces Screens At Beirut International Documentary Film Festival at 8:00PM
MTM9’s beautiful film by Jackie Sawiris and Ben Mandell entitled Bits & Pieces screens at Beirut’s International Documentary Film Festival: DOCUDAYS.
Check out this, and the other incredible films on offer at the festival running September 23 - 29.
Published on September 25, 2009
September 23-26: Harlem Premiere of Democracy in Dakar: Four Screenings in Harlem NY at 7PM
MTM8’s short African Underground: Hip Hop in Senegal was an excerpt from a longer piece entitled African Underground: Democracy in Dakar. The Harlem premiere is this week Make sure you catch it and support some of the hardest working filmmakers we have seen yet!
African Underground: Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet – the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process
Wednesday to Saturday - September 23 to 26
7:00pm - 9:00pm
MAYSLES CINEMA
343 Malcolm X Blvd / Lenox Ave
New York City
Good luck guys!
Published on September 23, 2009
September 23: MTM9 La Hoja Filmmaker Airs New Film on PBS World Focus at 6PM (EST)
Gabrielle Weiss, filmmaker of MTM9’s incredible film about the effect of US drug policy on Bolivia and the current state of coca leaf production, La Hoja has recently completed a series The Glass Closet, which will be airing tonight on PBS. Read more from Gabrielle and make sure to catch the program!
...the second of five documentaries in a series called The Glass Closet about HIV/AIDS and homosexuality in Jamaica that I worked on with Micah Fink and Lisa Biagiotti will air tonight on PBS’s World Focus (in NYC and most of the East Coast it will be at 6pm).
Check it out if you can, or you can watch the videos and see extended interviews at:
http://pulitzergateway.org/the-glass-closet/
or
http://worldfocus.org/
all the best,
Gabrielle Weiss
Published on September 23, 2009
September 20: Looking Back Screens at Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia, PA at 7:00PM
Ninth annual Media That Matters winner, Looking Back will screen as part of a night run by Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia, PA called Photographic Memory on Sunday, September 20 at 7:00 PM
International House
3701 Chestnut Street
$10, $8 students/seniors, $5 Scribe members
Filmmakers Ashley Maynor and John Petit and photographer J.J. Tizou will be there in person
This program assembles four works which explore how the photographic images triggers and informs and influences our memories and sense of ourselves as individuals, family members, artists, activists and survivors.
Ulysse (France, 1982, 35mm, color, 22 min. French with English subtitles)
Directed by Agnès Varda.
Varda returns to a striking photograph she took in 1954, its subject a naked man on the beach beside a young boy, also naked, and the corpse of a goat. When the subjects, tracked down thirty years later, fail to remember the circumstances surrounding the photo, the film becomes a haunting meditation on the elusive nature of memory as well as a fascinating introduction to Varda’s photography and its influence on her filmmaking.
Looking Back (US, 2008, 5:25 min)
Directed by Emile Bokaer
Homeless veteran Albert Lewis photographs his life and sheds light on the support of his community.
The Archivist (US, 2007, 4:43 min)
Directed by John Petit
For Memories Sake (US, 2009, work-in-progress,29 min)
Directed by Ashley Maynor
For Memories’ Sake investigates the life and work of Angela Singer, a Southern homemaker who has taken an average of a dozen photos a day for the last 35 years, compiling a mysterious and strange archive of over 150,000 photographs of her daily life. Her life and hobby of photography is explored through the lens of her granddaughter, filmmaker Ashley Maynor. The film asks questions about the nature of photography as a form of memory and captures a cross-generational portrait of two Southern women whose lives as image-makers have taken very different paths.
Published on September 20, 2009
September 17: MTM8’s Every Third Bite Screens at Cleopatras in Brooklyn, NY at 9:00PM
Check out MTM8’s popular Every Third Bite doc which is screening at Cleopatras in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on September 9th, 2009.
Here’s a note from the Meerkat Media Collective:
Our short documentary, EVERY THIRD BITE is screening at Cleopatras – a gallery space in Williamsburg as part of an Exhibition called “No Bees No Blueberries.” Come and enjoy the fall air with some fresh blueberries and a lively discussion about the future of our food system.
Cost: FREE!
When: Thursday, September 17th, 9pm
Where: Cleopatras, 110 Meserole, Brooklyn, NYLearn more about Cleopatras here.
Published on September 17, 2009
September 17: Dayton Access Television Fundraiser Screens MTM9 in Dayton, OH at 7:30PM
September 17 in Dayton, OH at 7:30PM
Screening of the ninth annual Media That Matters Film Festival and fundraiser for Dayton Access Television
Neon Movies
130 E 5th St
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 222-7469
Presented by DATV - Dayton Access Television
Published on September 17, 2009
September 15: Filmmaker Nelson Walker Presents MTM8’s A Nomad’s Life and Discussion in NY, NY
A Nomad’s Life filmmaker Nelson Walker will present his film and speak about his work alongside two other documentary film shorts at Columbia Alumni Association Film Series on Tuesday September 15th at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Tickets are $8.
Check out the interesting article and then learn how to host your own screening!
Published on September 15, 2009
September 12: Meerkat Media short film to screen at Rooftop Films Closing Night in Brooklyn, NY
On September 12th, as part of long-standing Arts Engine partners Rooftop Film’s Summer Series closing weekend, make sure you check out Meerkat Media’s latest documentary short: Brooklyn Boondoggle.
Meerkat Media; makers of MTM hits Every Third Bite and How Walmart Came to Haslett, will screen their new piece tackling the controversial issues surrounding the Atlantic Yards development project in Brooklyn, where community voices come together to ask—what if we were allowed to decide the future of our own neighborhoods? Many of the Meerkats that made this film have the Atlantic Yards in their backyard and wanted to bring this story to yours. So join them, amidst live music and free sangria on the roof of the Old American Can Factory, for this festive outdoor program featuring a wonderful slate of provocative short docs about our beloved borough, Brooklyn.
In the event of rain, the program will take place indoors at the same venue. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $9 at the door or online.
TICKETS: http://newyork.going.com/event-625209;Rooftop_Films_Brooklyn_Non-Fiction
Published on September 12, 2009
August 26: Philadelphia’s Street Movies screen The Next Wave
As part of the Street Movies! screening series, the Scribe Video Center in collaboration with North Light Community Center and Manayunk Neighborhood Council will screen the MTM9 Jury Award The Next Wave and MTM4’s The Meatrix on August 6th. You don’t want to miss this wonderful screening. Tickets are free!
Thursday, August 26 - 8:30pm
Ticket price: FREE
North Light Community Center
175 Green Lane
Philadelphia, PA, 19127
Street Movies! is an outdoor screening series that brings independent films and videos to vibrant public spaces throughout the Philadelphia and Camden, NJ areas at no cost to audience members or our community group co-hosts.
Published on August 26, 2009
August 9: MTM9 Encore Screening in Washington DC
Come out and support a great local eatery and social justice think space at the Busboys & Poets newest 5th & K location.
August 9 at 8:00 pm
Busboys & Poets @ 5th & K
1025 5th St. NW
Washington, DC
Free and open to all!
As part of the Focus In! screening series, Busboys & Poets is hosting an encore presentatin of the ninth annual collection on Sunday, August 9th. Focus In! screens important films by local, national, and international filmmakers. Each segment offers a focus dedicated to social justice, peace, and community value. Check out some highlights from July’s first screening at Busboys.
Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and gathering place where people can discuss issues of social justice and peace. Each Busboys and Poets location should enhance the community—allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.
Published on August 9, 2009
August 6 - Philadelphia Screening of Films from “Good Food”
As part of the Street Movies! screening series, the Scribe Video Center in collaboration with Montessori Genesis II will screen Good Food films Inch By Inch: Providence Youth Gardens for Change and Profit Cola on August 6th. You don’t want to miss this wonderful screening. Tickets are free!
Thursday, August 6, 2009 - 8:30pm
Ticket price: $0
Location:
Montessori Genesis II
3529 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA, 19104
Street Movies! is an outdoor screening series that brings independent films and videos to vibrant public spaces throughout the Philadelphia and Camden, NJ areas at no cost to audience members or our community group co-hosts.
Published on August 6, 2009
August 5: Every Third Bite to Screen at Cheap/Urban/Sustainable
Go to The Tank this Wednesday, August 5th at 6:00pm for a screening of MTM8’s Every Third Bite, created by the Meerkat Media Collective. The film deals with the disappearance of honeybee colonies and its impact on the environment. The filmmakers will be in attendance alongside activists and green business owners, discussing how to live a sustainable lifestyle in NYC!
When:
Wednesday, August 5th
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where:
The Tank
354 West 45th Street (between 8th and 9th)
New York, NY 10036
Organized by Living Liberally, this should be a great event – hope to see you there!
Published on August 5, 2009
Meerkat Media Collective Wins Top Documentary Awards at the New York International Latino Film Festival
The Meerkat Media Collective’s (Every Third Bite, How Wal-Mart Came to Haslett) feature-length documentary Stages just won the 2009 Cinelatino Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary and the Best Documentary Award at the New York International Latino Film Festival! The Festival was made up of a mix of highly-anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe. 28 feature films and 19 documentaries competed for the Cinelatino Audience Choice Awards.
The film takes place in New York City’s changing Lower East Side, where a group of older Puerto Rican women are brought together with a group of inner city youths to create an original play from the stories of their lives. Over a twenty-week period, the participants confront stereotypes and examine their own histories, exploring themes of immigration, relationships, coming of age and growing older.
Congratulations to the Meerkat Media Collective for this honor!
Published on August 4, 2009
August 1: Argentina Turning Around on Dublin Community TV
MTM 8’s Argentina Turning Around will be shown on Dublin Community Television (DCTV) on Saturday, August 1st starting at 7:30pm as part of Horizonte: A Latin American Documentary Festival. Films from across Latin America will be shown every night from Friday, July 31 to August 6 on Dublin Community TV over DIGITAL NTL 802.
Published on August 1, 2009
July 29: MTM9’s Lone Wolf and The Future of New(s) Media
Woodward and Blog-stein: The Future of New(s) Media
Lone Wolf Screening and Panel Discussion on the Future of Journalism
Wednesday, July 29 - 7:30 pm
The Tank
354 W 45th St.
New York, NY 10036
Screening Liberally ponders the future of journalism with a special presentation of Lone Wolf Wednesday July 29th 7:30PM at The Tank. The short film follows blogger turned newspaper reporter, Josh Wolf, who served 226 days in jail, longer than any other journalist in American history, for refusing to turn over to authorities video of a San Francisco protest. This beautifully-shot film explores the tenuous distinctions between bloggers and staff journalists by presenting a new conception of “press” in America.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring journalists, bloggers, and media activists, on the continuing evolution of journalism and the future of the fourth estate in the internet age.
Published on July 29, 2009
July 29 & 31: Meerkat Media Collective Premieres Documentary at HBO New York International Latino Film Festival
The Meerkat Media Collective (How Wal-Mart Came to Haslett, Every Third Bite) is premiering their first collaboratively created feature documentary, Stages, at the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival next week! The two screenings are Wednesday July 29th at 3:30pm and Friday July 31st at 5:00pm. Check out this link to learn more, watch the trailer and get tickets.
Stages takes place in New York City’s changing Lower East Side, where a group of older Puerto Rican women are brought together with a group of inner city youths to create an original play from the stories of their lives. Over a twenty-week period, the participants confront stereotypes and examine their own histories, exploring themes of immigration, relationships, coming of age and growing older.
Published on July 29, 2009
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