HIFF announced today a new education partnership with the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration that will make its debut at the 2015 Hamptons International Film Festival and continue in local schools throughout the year.
Focusing on the themes of migration, diversity, and social inclusion, students in East End schools will screen films selected by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. The approximately 25 films, which are a maximum of 5 minutes in length and in any language with English subtitles, are selected annually from a pool of 200 submissions by an international jury.
On the mornings of Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9, students will screen films made by youth from all over the world that address issues in their communities related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness. A panel of UNAOC delegates and filmmakers will conduct a discussion after the films to promote the power of storytelling and to help ensure the educational impact on the student-viewers’ lives. HIFF will continue this program within schools in the coming year and aim to have local students create their own films around the same issues.
This new initiative continues HIFF’s longstanding commitment to bringing a broad selection of film to young audiences. HIFF began advocating for local youth’s participation in the festival from the start; over HIFF’s 23-year history, this vital connection, mainly driven by educator and HIFF board of directors member Linda Biscardi Fuller, has reached thousands of students.
“We are delighted to expand our ongoing local student initiatives through our partnership with the UNAOC and IOM. It is part of our mission to enlighten our audiences with issues happening both worldwide and within our own backyards,” said HIFF Executive Director Anne Chaisson. “The art of film has always been a catalyst in change for a better world and understanding the human condition, and these films provide the basis for open discussion, plus informative curricula for the classroom.”
For more information, please contact the HIFF offices via email or phone:631.324.4600
