Nonprofits Partner to Support Socially Conscious Filmmakers

[Source: indieWIRE.com, by Andy Lauer - May 18, 2009]

Not-for-profits Arts Engine and Cinereach announced today that they will be teaming up as part of a yearlong partnership to support young, socially conscious filmmakers.

The two organizations, which support and distribute social issue films, will collaborate on a series of projects, beginning with the ninth annual Media That Matters Film Festival, which begins June 3, 2009, in New York City. This year’s festival includes jury prize winner Next Wave, director Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzer’s documentary about the world’s first climate change refugees from the Carteret Islands, and Locusts, a docu-musical on the effects of ill-planned urban planning. For more about the festival, visit the official website.

The two organizations will also be partnering to expand the workshops they offer to filmmakers that participate in the Media That Matters Film Festival and Cinereach’s annual Reach Film Fellowship (RFF). Past and present filmmakers from each program will be invited to participate in events that will guide filmmakers in outreach and audience-building for socially relevant short films.

Finally, the organizations will also launch a new online column about “media that matters.” Called 90 Second Cinema, the column will be published on Arts Engine’s MediaRights.org beginning this summer.

“We are thrilled to partner with Arts Engine since we share so many of the same goals,” said Mike Raisler, Cinereach’s Creative Director in a statement. “We both believe strongly that good storytelling is the most effective way to bring critical issues to light. We are excited for this new opportunity to cultivate the creation and exhibition of projects that succeed in doing that.”

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Cinereach was created in 2006 by a group of young filmmakers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs with the goal of championing socially relevant films. Their three key areas, Grants & Awards, Productions, and The Reach Film Fellowship, facilitate the creation of films that challenge, excite, innovate, offer new perspectives and inspire action.

Arts Engine, Inc. supports, produces, and distributes independent media of consequence and promotes the use of independent media by advocates, educators and the general public. By fostering the production and use of independent film, video and new media, Arts Engine connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.