Join Us This Week! DECEMBER 1 - 4, 2010 The 7th Artivist Film Festival is THIS WEEK at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, screening 45 films from around the globe. The festival concludes this Saturday, December 4th, with The 2010 Artivist Awards, Hosted by Vanessa Williams, and Honoring Peter Fonda, Barbara Pyle, Avis Richards, and the winning films of this year’s festival. Founded in 2003, "ARTIVIST" is the first international film festival and awards dedicated to raising awareness for Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy. Our mission is to strengthen the voice of socially conscious artists - "Artivists" - while raising public awareness for social global causes. Through the years, the Artivist Film Festival has showcased 400+ films representing more than 60 countries around the world. Artivist has reached millions of people with its film festivals in Hollywood , London , Tokyo , Mexico City, and Lisbon . In recognition of the socially conscious platform it provides, ARTIVIST has been endorsed by Claes Nobel of the Nobel Prize family, Amnesty International, and the United Nations Department of Public Information. Artivist Founder-President, Diaky Diaz, states “through the films and the presence of diverse NGOs active in human rights, animal advocacy, and environmentalism present at Artivist, the festival presents a unique opportunity for filmgoers to gain both awareness of issues and become active participants in positive change.” FILM HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: | | The revolution will not be tweeted! "ReGeneration"
BEST FEATURE – ARTIVIST SPIRIT
2010 ARTIVIST AWARDS WINNER
Director: Philip Montgomery | Join us for Opening Night and the Los Angeles Premiere of "ReGENERATION". Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A and Reception. | December 1, 2010 8:00PM
Egyptian Theater - Hollywood SOLD-OUT! |
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| Narrated by Ryan Gosling and featuring the music of Sound Tribe Sector 9, the feature film “ReGeneration”, takes an uncompromising look at the issues facing today’s youth and young adults, and the influences that perpetuate our culture’s apathetic approach to social and political causes. Focused on how today’s education, parenting, and media can shape us, the film follows three stories each with a unique perspective – from an inspired collective of musicians working outside the corporate system, to a twenty-something conservative family about to welcome the birth of their second child, and a group of five high-school students from the suburbs looking for their place in society. Their stories are interspersed with the knowledge, wisdom, and personal reflections of some of the country’s leading scholars, social activists, and media personalities including Amy Goodman, Andrew Bacevich, Noam Chomsky, Talib Kweli, and the late Howard Zinn. With such a varied and intelligent group of interviews, viewers come to a deeper understanding of the numerous influences shaping today’s culture where one universal feeling is shared – our society is at a crossroads, economically, environmentally, and intellectually – and we must change ourselves and the world for the better. |
| | While California is going bankrupt, “How Weed Won The West"
Director: Kevin Booth | Join us for the Los Angeles Premiere of “How Weed Won the West”.
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A panel and Reception. |
| December 2, 2010 7:00PM
Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Limited FREE Tickets Available! Reserve Yours Now:
www.ARTIVIST.com/festival |
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| While California is going bankrupt, one business is booming. 'How Weed Won the West'is the story of the growing medical cannabis / marijuana industry in the greaterLos Angeles area, with over 700 dispensaries doling out the buds. As a treatment for conditions ranging from cancerand AIDS, to anxiety, ADHD ,and insomnia,cannabis is quickly proving itself as a healthier natural alternative to many prescription drugs. Following the story of Organica, a collective owned by Jeff Joseph that was raided by the DEA in August of '09, the film shows that although some things have changed with Obama in office, the War on Drugs is nowhere near over. From Kevin Booth, the producer/director of Showtime's 'American Drug War', 'How Weed Won the West' puts California forward as an example to the rest of the country by documenting how legalizing marijuana can help save the economy. |
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“How I Became An Elephant" & "Coming Home" Directors: Synthian Sharp & Tim Gorski | Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception. | December 2, 2010 9:15PM
Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Limited FREE Tickets! ReserveYours Now:
www.ARTIVIST.com/festival You Can Also Reserve Here: |
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| Feature Film: "How I Became An Elephant" Directors: Synthian Sharp and Tim Gorski "How I Became an Elephant" is the heartwarming story of a 14 year old girl from Los Angeles who embarks on an epic adventure to South East Asia to meet her hero... Lek Chailert (The Elephant Lady) who rescues elephants from 30 years of forced breeding and abuse. Opening Short Film: “Going Home” Director: Tim Gorski "Going Home" is a 2 week project produced, filmed, and edited by award winning filmmaker, Tim Gorski. In "Going Home" Thailand 's famous 'Elephant Lady', Lek Chailert, embarks on a mission to release abused performing elephants into their native jungles in Northern Thailand . This short documentary chronicles the journey of Lek and two former trekking elephants who embark on an arduous six day trek through the jungle and across seven of Thailand's highest peaks, covering over 200 kilometers. |
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“Complexo - Universo Paralelo” (A Parallel Universe)
BEST FEATURE – HUMAN RIGHTS
2010 ARTIVIST AWARDS WINNER
Director: Mirio Patrocõnio | Join us for the Los Angeles Premiere of “Complexo-Universo Paralelo”
(A Parallel Universe), this year’s Best Feature – Human Rights, Artivist Award Winner. Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A and Reception. | December 3, 2010 7:00PM
Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Limited FREE Tickets Available! Reserve
Yours Now:
www.ARTIVIST.com/festival |
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| | At the peak of tensions in Rio , two Portuguese brothers ventured into the most feared slum and lived there during the largest police operation ever launched in that state. They experienced a life where most people awaken to the sound of gunfire and sleep accompanied by shots. The heads of the largest criminal faction in Rio speak intimately and plainly of the life in the world of trafficking. They are the power that exists after a decades-long absence of government power. But the film also offers a slice of life with inspirational characters - a mother shows how her faith in Jesus makes her believe all is possible; the president of the dwellers' association shows that despite the frightening expansion of the complex, the arrival of crime, drugs and guns, he is able to make life better for his favela neighbors; a rapper - MC Playboy - a funk artist who realized that his path was not trafficking, while he saw many of his friends murdered, he conquered his space within the community and fights community and fights to destroy prejudice and bring all of society together. The people in the favela live under constant tension in the midst of a power game where both everything and nothing is possible. Through action and word, each character adds a piece to a gigantic puzzle that reveals to us the daily life of the favela as a whole. Director Mirio Patroconio’s film asks and answers “How is it to survive in this reality?” |
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| “Hempsters”
Producer Diana Oliver. Director: Michael Henning | Join us for the screening of “Hempster”, followed by Filmmaker
Q&A Panel and Reception. | December 3, 2010 9:30PM
Egyptian Theater - Hollywood Limited FREE Tickets Available! Reserve
Yours Now:
www.ARTIVIST.com/festival |
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| This lively documentary directed by Michael Henning, begins with the arrest of WOODY HARRELSONfor planting four feral hemp seeds in Kentucky and his subsequent trial and acquittal, then joins traveling Hemp activist Craig Lee and a number of featured old-school Kentucky tobacco farmers who just want to grow the multipurpose crop as a way to save their farms. Viewers meet Alex White Plume, leader of the Lakota “Tiospaye” (family clan), and the first family to plant industrial hemp on American soil since the 1950′s. He makes a startling case that his right to grow hemp is a sovereignty issue. Julia Butterfly Hill goes to extreme lengths to protest the pulping of old-growth forests by living for over two years at the top of a 1,000 year old redwood tree in Northern California . Gatewood Galbraith, the fiery orator of the US Reform Party, attempts to bring to the public at large to its senses in his own inimitable style. A hyper-paced ride with a sizzling soundtrack, this motion picture puts hemp at the heart of just about every grassroots issue in America today. Featured players include Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ralph Nader and Woody Harrelson. More than a political study of cannabis, Hempstersis a rousing portrait of our country’s most spirited and sensible free-thinkers. |
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| Addicted to an online world, can today's kids learn to play again? “Play Again”
Director: Tonje Schel | Join us for the Los Angeles Premiere of “Play Again”. Screening is
followed by Filmmaker Q&A panel and Reception. |
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| What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature? One generation from now most people in the U.S. will have spent more time in the virtual world than in nature. New media technologies have improved our lives in countless ways. Information now appears with a click. Overseas friends are part of our daily lives. And even grandma loves Wii. But what are we missing when we are behind screens? And how does this impact our children's well being, our society and the very future of our planet? At a time when children play more behind screens than outside, “Play Again explores the changing balance between the virtual and natural worlds. Is our connection to nature disappearing down the digital rabbit hole? This documentary follows six teenagers who, like the 'average American child,' spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens. “Play Again” unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure - no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality. Through the voices of children and leading experts including journalist Jaga Jazzist and Shining. Richard Louv, sociologist Juliet Schor, environmental writer Bill McKibben, neuroscientist Gary Small, educators Diane Levin and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, parks advocate Charles Jordan, psychiatrist Susan Linn, and Canadian scientist David Suzuki, “Play Again” introduces new perspectives and encourages action for a sustainable future. The soundtrack includes music from well-known Icelandic band Sigur Ros and singer Kimya Dawson (JUNO soundtrack). Music Director is Andreas Hessen-Schei, of the Norwegian bands. |
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| Preserving an ancient culture in the 21st century. “Maasai at Crossroads”
Directors: Joe Dietsch, Kristin Jordan | Join us for the Los Angeles Premiere of “Maasai at Crossroads”,
followed by Filmmaker Q&A panel and Reception. |
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| Maasai at Crossroads chronicles the struggles of the Maasai tribe as they attempt to modernize while maintaining their traditional culture. They realize that in order for their children to survive they must be educated, to this end they work with the non-profit organization, Africa Schools of Kenya (ASK). ASK is an educational curriculum that introduced experts in various areas to the Massai tribe - deeply influencing the worldview of the students, as well as the adults and elders. The external factors forcing the Maasai to modernize are the current drought and the encroaching influence of civilization. Directed by Joe Dietsch and Kristin Jordan the film poses several questions such as: What elements of any culture are important? What should be preserved and what can be left behind? How can cultures integrate modernization while remaining stewards of their traditions? And why is this so important?Maasai at the Crossroads explores a community’s efforts to come together, not only to survive, but to preserve cherished traditions as they learn how to thrive in the 21st century. |
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This year, Artivist proudly welcomes back PETROBRAS as its Official Community Partner. For the past four years Petrobras has supported the efforts and expansion of the Artivist Film Festival. Understanding the interdependence between humanity, animals, and the environment is crucial in our global community. By working with individuals and groups, organizations and companies, we can create long-term solutions to our global problems.
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