(New York) - Human Rights Watch, in partnership with Adobe Youth Voices, will make its 2010 global debut of Youth Producing Change in New York on June 18, 2010, during the Human Rights Watch Film Festival at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater.
The festival will feature works from 11 teen filmmakers from around the globe who, in turning the camera on their own lives, invite audiences to experience the world as they do: as a Kenyan teenager living in Africa's second largest slum; a 15-year-old Palestinian refugee camp resident; a 15-year-old girl in India forced to chose between feeding her family or getting an education; or as a 14-year-old Afghan seeking asylum after his father was killed by the Taliban.
A sampling of their stories has been compiled as part of the third annual Youth Producing Change, designed to call attention to a broad spectrum of human rights issues. Youth Producing Change is a collaborative effort of Adobe Youth Voices (a program of the Adobe Foundation) and the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival.
The films being shown were selected from over 250 submissions. Eight of the 11 teen filmmakers will travel from Kenya, Slovenia and cities throughout the United States to share their calls for social change with audiences. Among the short films featured in Youth Producing Change is Alexander Oakes' Growing Up in India. "I am proud," said Alexander. "This film will open the eyes of the world; it's like a chain, every link is a person. Every person has a story to tell. In the end we all connect and are one. We must think this way to be able to make a change and be the change."
Demonstrating the power of technology to engage middle- and high school-age youth, Adobe Youth Voices provides breakthrough learning experiences using video, multimedia, digital art, web, animation, and audio tools that enable youth to explore and comment on their world. Youth Producing Change provides these courageous young media-makers the opportunity to submit their work in a worldwide competition and, if selected, present their films on the international stage.
"The Adobe Foundation is proud to partner with Human Rights Watch in providing a platform for these remarkable young filmmakers to explore and comment on their world," said Michelle Mann, executive director of the Adobe Foundation. "By calling attention to human rights issues, these youth are inspiring audiences worldwide and demonstrating the power to express ideas, engage stakeholders and effect change through digital media."
In New York City, Adobe Youth Voices is currently working with hundreds of teens at 12 local schools and youth centers to provide the training and tools youth need to create films, videos, animations, photo essays, and music that inspire change in their communities. Through the Adobe Youth Voices program, these teens are creating media projects on urgent issues such as teen pregnancy, violence, eating disorders, and climate change.
"What makes the Youth Producing Change program an ongoing success is the fact that youth share universal traits which not only transcend differences in nationality, race, religion, and culture but also imbue their voices with the power to move audiences and speak to the core of their humanity." said John Biaggi, director of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. "Young people speak with a captivating rawness; they are more honest, curious, optimistic, and willing to be vulnerable than their adult counterparts. When they open up their worlds and share their personal stories, we are compelled to listen."
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YOUTH PRODUCING CHANGE + Q&A WITH FILMMAKERS
World Premiere
Date - Friday, June 18, 2010
Time - 7pm (74 min.. program) Reception to follow
Date - Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time - 1pm (74 min. program)
Location - The Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater, 65th Street near Amsterdam Avenue
Box Office - A special ticket deal has been announced exclusively for the Youth Producing Change screenings: BUY ONE TICKET for $8-GET ONE FREE Select "YPC Special" when you purchase a ticket at www.filmlinc.org and receive a 2nd complimentary ticket to Youth Producing Change when you arrive at the Walter Reade Theater box office. For group rates contact ypc@hrw.org (212) 216-1247.
Tickets: Single screening tickets for the 2010 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $7 for Film Society members. They are available at both the Walter Reade Theater box office and online at www.filmlinc.com. HRWIFF Series Pass ($50 public/$35 students and $30 Film Society member) admits one person to five titles in the festival. It is available only at the Walter Reade Theater box office. Additional information is available online at www.filmlinc.com and https://www.hrw.org/iff/, or by calling (212) 875-5600.
Website - https://www.hrw.org/en/iff/youth-producing-change-3
To watch the Youth Producing Change trailer visit: https://www.hrw.org/node/90534
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FILMS:
HANDS OF LOVE
Produced by 14 youth filmmakers from Voiceless Children (in association with Listen Up and Adobe Youth Voices,
Kenya - 2008 - 8m - doc
In Kiswahili with English Subtitles
For David Were and his community in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya, having access to simple facilities like a bathroom can be a matter of life and death. After a devastating attack on his father, David and his friends know their work to provide security, latrines, and clean-up projects is more than a struggle for a healthier environment -it is part of ensuring the survival of their community. *David Were and Justus Ongera will attend the festival.
KAMRAN'S STORY
Kamran Safi of Kent Refugee Action Network
UK / Afghanistan - 2008 - 3m - animation
In English
Drawing from a series of dramatic life-changing events, Kamran, a 14-year-old asylum seeker narrates the story of his courageous escape from Afghanistan and his unaccompanied journey to the United Kingdom.
MIGRATION
Eddy Perlaza, Cinthya Durán, and Sinchi Chimba of Agencia de Comunicación de Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes (ACNNA)
Ecuador - 2008 - 5m - doc
In Spanish with English Subtitles
Young people find themselves on their own when they seek refuge from violence in Colombia-or when parents are forced to seek work in other countries to support their families. Migration provides a new take on immigration, from the perspective of children left behind.
AN AVERAGE CONGOLESE DIET (ALIMENTATION D'UN CONGOLAIS MOYEN)
Sylvain Koko of UNICEF Oneminutesjr. Project
Democratic Republic of Congo - 2007 - 1m - animation
In French with English Subtitles
For 14 years, Congo has been ravaged with conflict. Food insecurity remains the norm, and millions have died, mostly due to malnutrition or lack of access to basic medicine. The simple truth for children in Congo-having a meal isn't always a given.
17 & UNIDENTIFIED
Alicia Wade of Global Potential
Dominican Republic / US - 2009 - 5m - doc
In English and Spanish with English Subtitles
Born in Batey Cuchillia, Dominican Republic of Haitian descent, Deivei was never provided with a birth certificate. Without it, he cannot continue his education, find a job, marry or travel. *Alicia Wade will attend the festival.
GROWING UP IN INDIA
Produced by 17 youth filmmakers from Free the Children
India / Canada - 2009 - 9m - doc
In Hindi with English Subtitles
In the northeastern desert state of Rajasthan in India, Sangita feels the limitations of her culture's caste system when she decides she must forgo an education to train as a dancer in order to support her family.
BABICA
Martina Hudorovic of DZMP/ Luksuz Produkcija
Slovenia - 2008 - 8m - doc
In Roma with English Subtitles
The Roma people have been the target of persecution and discrimination for centuries. A Roma grandmother shares her hopes for future generations as she prepares bread with her granddaughter.
*Martina Hudrovic will attend the festival.
HUDUD
Produced by 12 youth filmmakers from Camera-etc. - Occupied Palestinian Territories - 2008 - 8m - animation
In Arabic with English Subtitles
Being 16 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories today is to have one's life dictated by curfews, clashes with soldiers at check points, arbitrary searches and arrests. Hudud (an Arabic word for restriction) illustrates the challenges that Israeli construction of the "separation barrier," or wall, pose for Palestinian youth.
MARIPOSA
Espie Hernandez, Wendy Sandoval, and Luna Serna of ImMEDIAte Justice Collective
US - 2009 - 6m - doc
In English and Spanish with English Subtitles
As Espie prepares for her quinceañera, a traditional rite of passage celebrating a 15-year-old Latina's debut, her family adjusts to Espie's decision to "come out" in a different way. Espie's story embraces the complexity of family tradition and sexual identity with an honest and brave heart.
*Espie Hernandez will attend the festival.
SEE, LISTEN, SPEAK: NGARRINDJERI'S BEING HEARD (NUKKAN.KUNGUN.YUNNAN)
Edie Carter, Rita Lindsay, Victor Koolmatrie, Melanie Koolmatrie, Veronica Wilson from Change Media.
Australia - 2009 - 6m - doc
In English
After water is diverted from natural streams and lakes in the rural Coroong community and delivered by pipeline to larger cities, the aboriginal Ngarrindjeri face a disastrous water crisis, threatening their way of life. Ngarrindjeri youth speak out to protect their culture and traditions.
IMAGE OF CONTAMINATION
Elizabeth Gonzalez and Antonio Rodriguez of SAY Sí in association with Listen Up and Adobe Youth Voices
US - 2008 - 8m - doc
In English and Spanish with English Subtitles
The course of Air Force enlistee Diana López's life changes forever when she learns that toxic waste has been seeping off nearby Kelly Air Force Base and into her community's ground water.
*Elizabeth Gonzalez and Antonio Rodriguez will attend the festival.
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For more information, please contact:
In New York, Holly Aubry, Human Rights Film Festival: +1-212-216-1873; or aubryh@hrw.org
In New York, Susan Norget, Festival Publicist: +1-212-431-0090; or susan@norget.com
To download detailed fact sheets, bios, high/low screen shots, and digital brochure, please visit: https://www.hrw.org/en/iff/press
To watch a trailer for the Youth Producing Change program, please visit: https://www.hrw.org/node/90534
ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FILM FESTIVAL
Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. We have worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and have fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world. Through our Human Rights Watch Film Festival we bear witness to human rights violations and create a forum for courageous individuals on both sides of the lens to empower audiences with the knowledge that personal commitment can make a difference. More information can be found at: https://www.hrw.org/iff
