UNITED NATIONS SHORT FILM PARTNERSHIP

It is part of HamptonsFilm’s mission to create connections with the youth in our community to show them the power of film as an art form. Through the cinematic experience, artist engagement with students allows them to make a direct connection to talking about and understanding the human condition through the art of filmmaking. This paves the way for discussion back in the classroom where students and their teachers engage in conversations about the critical issues they face in their lives today.

To that end, HamptonsFilm is a proud partner of the Plural+ International Youth Video Festival on Migration, Diversity, & Social Inclusion, a joint venture of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration.

650 Plural Plus Awais Catalog PicDuring the annual Film Festival, HamptonsFilm—in partnership with The United Nations—welcomes nearly 1000 local students to a specially curated program called “Plural Plus” to view films made by international youth on issues like diversity, inclusion, migration, human rights, and eliminating xenophobia. The program reflects issues the students may be facing personally or are issues they worry about in the news. Students are further engaged with a post-screening Q&A session with educators that are often attended by the young international filmmakers. The direct benefit of this unique program is a bridge toward understanding to help them navigate an increasingly complicated world.

“The Hamptons International Film Festival and their support of the UN Plural Plus Program is a shining example of how community partnerships can enrich the educational experience of our students at East Hampton Middle School. By bringing the world’s cinema to our doorstep, we are opening up new avenues for learning, creativity and cultural understanding. The benefits of this program extend far beyond the classroom, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts and an awareness of the larger world around us.” — Dr. Charles R Soriano, Principal, East Hampton Middle School

In addition to the screenings during the festival, HamptonsFilm presents the Plural+ program throughout the calendar year in many of our local schools with age-appropriate, curated screenings for elementary through high school students.

The art of film has always been a catalyst for change for a better world and understanding the human condition. The films presented provide the basis for open discussion, informative curricula for the classroom, and discussions that translate back at home. This is the only program of its kind in the tri-state area.

 


This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit arts.gov.