Promoting Partnerships between U.S. and Africa Hospices
The Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA) approached Washington, D.C.-based digital animation and visual design firm Pixeldust Studios to develop a creative new way to reach out to U.S. hospices with the message about the need for additional partners. The result is a breathtaking, just-released, three-minute web video that depicts through 2D animation and graphics the dramatic contrast between what it means to provide hospice and palliative services in the U.S. and what it takes to provide such care in an African country where resources are few and the need so great.nnRicardo Andrade, Executive Creative Director/Founder of Pixeldust Studios, points out that “While we are more well known for our animation work for television shows and films, we are equally interested in providing animated content for important, charitable and non-profit causes, such as those promoted by FHSSA. We truly hope this animation will motivate other organizations and individuals to support FHSSA’s critical mission of hospice care in Africa.” Pixeldust Studios provided their services to FHSSA pro bono. The music on the video is by composer Mark S. Andrade.nnAt the core of its mission, FHSSA (which began as the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa) works to develop partnerships between U.S. hospice programs and those in thirteen countries in Africa. Through these partnerships, African hospices gain technical assistance, support, and most importantly, friendship.nn”Hospice programs across the U.S. have so generously opened their hearts and arms to programs in Africa, and they work closely together to expand access to much needed palliative care. The rewards are tremendous and quite mutual, but we continue to look for more U.S. programs to join in such a partnership,” states John Mastrojohn, executive director of FHSSA. “Sometimes what it takes to get a message across is a fresh and creative way of delivering that message. We’ve hit a homerun with Pixeldust and are most grateful.”nn
nThe web video can be seen online here.nnAbout Pixeldust StudiosnFounded in 2004 by Ricardo Andrade, Pixeldust Studios is an Emmy Award-winning digital animation and visual design firm with studios in Metro D.C. and New York City. Pixeldust Studios specializes in creating innovative motion graphics, animations and visual effects for television, film, corporations, museums, charities and the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit www.pixeldust.tv or call 301-656-0050. Contact:Media Contact for Pixeldust Studios: Dan Harary The Asbury PR Agency Beverly Hills, CA 310/859-1831 Contact Dan via email
“Ǝvolution” Comes Full Circle At The Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival, running from October 16th through October 20th, 2024, at Regal Cinemas here in Union Square, is set to host the East Coast premiere of Ǝvolution, a thought-provoking experimental micro-short film that proves big ideas can come in small packages and in perfect circles.
In just 1 minute 16 seconds, this cinematic gem by Award-Winning Director Romina Schwedler, with original music by Argentine Composer Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, explores a cycle as old as time: life leads to progress, progress leads to destruction, and destruction, well, leads back to life. But is this vicious circle unbreakable? Ǝvolution suggests the answer is yes, unless we decide to open our eyes.
Inspired by the overwhelming number of recent events that threaten human existence, Ǝvolution, possibly the shortest film in this 12th edition of the festival, plays out entirely through the symbolism of circles, cleverly illustrating —in the blink of an eye— the repeating patterns of history, and confronting viewers with the uncomfortable truth that our so-called “progress” may, in fact, be guiding us to our own ruin.Premiering at the Regal 14 Union Square, New York City, on October 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Romina Schwedler's micro-short, featuring Leah Young with cinematography by Alan J. Carmona, will be sure to spark conversations longer than the film itself! Forcing viewers to reconsider the true meaning of evolution, not just as a biological process, but as a reflection of our collective journey as humans.
With a string of festival appearances across the globe, including CineGlobe at CERN (Switzerland/France), Oscar®... Read More