Artivist Film Festival in New York City – March 25-27, 2010

FIRST TIME IN NYC, ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL attracts Major celebrities, UN Ambassadors, Renowned filmmakers

March 25-27, 2010, Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street

New York City, NY (March 11, 2010) – The timing is perfect for the Artivist film festival to come to New York.  This one-of-a-kind “artists activism” festival has attracted people from all over the globe.  Arriving from Los Angeles and London, opening night is Thursday, March 25, at 7 pm. The festival opens with Jamal Joseph’s (Chairman of Columbia University School of the Arts graduate film program) documentary film SUTTON: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS.

Few people in the history of New York City have contributed more to its overall growth and development than the Honorable Percy Sutton (November 24, 1920- December 26, 2009). Percy was a civil rights trailblazer and prominent lawyer and businessman. He served as an intelligence officer with the Tuskegee Airmen. As Chairman of Inner City Broadcasting, he bought and renovated the historic Apollo Theater. The film captures the history, influence and legacy of one of Harlem’s most distinguished gentlemen. “Percy’s passion for justice began at an early age and never wavered,” President Obama said in a statement at the news of his passing. Percy Sutton had deep connections to Hollywood… even his commanding officer in the US Air Force was none other than Clark Gable.

Director Jamal Joseph and producer Voza Rivers have had distinguished careers as the past artistic directors of the Citykids Repertory, and currently as the artistic directors of Impact Repertory Theatre.  Jamal was also the godfather of TUPAC SHAKUR.  Joseph is truly an Artist Activist.  Opening night begins with his new film,” HARLEM IS MUSIC”, a documentary showing the influence of 5 forms of music in Harlem:  Latin, Gospel, Jazz, R and B and Hip hop. Jamal, Voza and IMPACT Repertory were nominated for an Oscar for the best song with their music RAISE IT UP, for the film AUGUST RUSH.

Immediately following the screening there will be a panel discussion featuring Jamal and Keisha Sutton-James, Percy Sutton’s granddaughter who has inherited the mantel from “Grandfather”.  She not only encompasses Percy’s spirit, but has joined the family business and is now Vice President of the Inner City Broadcasting Company.

On Saturday, March 27, at 6:30 pm, Artivist will feature two outstanding films. POLIWOOD, directed by legendary Academy award winner Barry Levinson, sets out to explore the collision between politics and Hollywood.  The film gives the viewer a front row seat and backroom access to the most significant Presidential campaign of our generation.  One producer is Robin Bronk, the Executive Director of the Creative Coalition, this year’s recipient of the Artivist Community Leadership Award.  Bronk will receive this for her tireless work as an activist creating solutions and raising public awareness for national issues. 

The second film, “8”, is made up of eight short films, centering on eight different themes, which are directed by eight renowned film directors (including Mira Nair, Gus Van Sant, Jane Campion and Wim Wenders). “8″ promotes the eight UN Millennium Development goals to be achieved by 2015; each short film highlights the progress made and the setbacks and challenges faced by our planet today. The film will be introduced by Dr. Noel J. Brown, an environmental diplomat. Dr. Brown will receive the Artivist International Humanitarian award for creating solutions and raising public awareness on global environmental sustainability. Dr. Brown is the CEO and President of Friends of the United Nations, an independent non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the principles and values of the UN charter.

There will opening and closing night receptions at TRIBECA CINEMAS, with A-list, celebrities, filmmakers and international diplomats.

Artivist website:  www.artivists.org
Ticketing: http://www.tribecacinemas.com/more-info/Artivist_Film_Festival_New_York.html

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