UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA/TFT), one of the world’s most prominent academic institutions for entertainment and performing arts education, Dean Teri Schwartz and the Los Angeles Film Festival have joined together to launch two new events during this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival focused on social impact filmmaking.
This new initiative of social impact filmmaking in collaboration with this year’s Film Festival continues to move forward Schwartz’s vision to re-imagine entertainment and performing arts education as an interdisciplinary enterprise grounded in humanistic storytelling, innovation, social responsibility and global diversity.
“Story can be an extraordinary force for good; for transformation; for positive social change. Story has the infinite power to connect us across time and space, and frame the human narrative by transcending borders, cultures, boundaries and barriers,” stated Dean Schwartz. “We are honored to partner this year with LAFF and Film Independent in support of this very important topic around social impact filmmaking.”
On Saturday, June 15, Schwartz will host a conversation on Border Crossings: Migrant Storytellers with “Purgatorio” director Rodrigo Reyes, “I Was Born in Mexico, But…” director Corey Ohama and “Workers” director Pepe Valle. The discussion will focus on the imaginary lines that have divided us for centuries. These filmmakers will explore the meaning of the national vs. global, legal vs. illegal, alien vs. native, and the power of film to tell the human stories of those who have the courage to cross boundary lines to find a better life. Prior to the panel at Regal Cinemas, L.A. LIVE, Regal 12, “Purgatorio” will screen for audiences beginning at 1:30 p.m. The panel will begin at 2:50 p.m.
On Monday, June 17, Schwartz will host a by-invitation-only conversation and panel on Social Impact Storytelling, which includes filmmakers whose works are in the festival; Brian Gott, Program Director for the Burkle Global Impact Initiative; Jeffrey A. Brez, Chief Advocacy and Special Events Director for the United Nations; Danielle Zapotoczny, Creative Community Outreach Initiative Director for the United Nations, as well as UCLA/TFT graduate filmmakers. The panel will focus on the unique collaboration between the Burkle Institute and the United Nations to support filmmakers who bring awareness to global, humanitarian and advocacy issues through their work.
“We’re so happy to partner with Dean Schwartz and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, who have a deep commitment to social impact storytelling,” said Josh Welsh, Co-President, Film Independent. “To be able to work with the Dean, as well as the Burkle Global Impact Initiative and the United Nations at the Los Angeles Film Festival is just fantastic.”
The Los Angeles Film Festival is scheduled for June 13-23 with the majority of screenings held at L.A. Live.
About UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
The vision of UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is to serve as a premier global interdisciplinary professional school that develops outstanding humanistic storytellers, industry leaders and scholars whose diverse, innovative voices enlighten, engage and inspire change for a better world. Consistently ranked as one of the top elite entertainment and performing arts institutions in the world, UCLA/TFT offers an innovative curriculum that integrates the study and creation of live performance, film, television and the digital arts. Our distinguished graduate and undergraduate programs include acting, directing, writing, producing, animation, cinematography, and lighting design, set design, costume design, sound design, Moving Image Archive Studies, and offers PhDs in Theater and Performance Studies and Cinema & Media Studies. For more information, visit www.tft.ucla.edu.
About the Los Angeles Film Festival
The Los Angeles Film Festival
