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June 3: MTM:Impact, a series of conversations

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.

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.

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