Archive for June, 2009
Filmmaker Profile: Gordon Quinn, THE NEW AMERICANS
This summer, Global Voices on PBS WORLD presents an encore of 
Kartemquin Films’ THE NEW AMERICANS. The seven-hour, critically acclaimed documentary miniseries follows four years in the lives of a diverse group of immigrants and refugees as they journey from around the globe to start new lives in America. From heart-wrenching farewells to initial impressions of the United States, from debunked myths to realized dreams, the series captures the modern immigrant experience.
Presented in one-hour weekly installments from July 5 to August 16, the broadcast will feature updates on what the individuals profiled have been doing since the series first aired. Optional Spanish audio narration will be available. THE NEW AMERICANS can also be found on iTunes.
Gordon Quinn, executive producer of THE NEW AMERICANS and creative director and founding member of Kartemquin Films, has been making documentaries for more than 40 years. His first film, Home For Life (1966), was called “an extraordinarily moving documentary” by film critic Roger Ebert and set the direction for Quinn’s filmmaking career—creating cinéma vérité works that investigate and critique society by documenting the unfolding lives of real people.
The Masculinity Project: Virtual Screening of FEBRUARY ONE by Rebecca Cerese
The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and ITVS recently launched a weekly, web-based “virtual screening” series, which showcases some of the latest short documentaries from the Masculinity Project. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A and give audience members worldwide the opportunity to engage with the filmmaker. Find out what inspired filmmaker Rebecca Cerese to make FEBRUARY ONE, which will have a virtual screening at 8:00 PM EDT on Thursday, July 2.
Ever since childhood, filmmaker Rebecca Cerese has been enthralled by the stories of the American Civil Rights Movement.
“The patience and tenacity of the year-long boycott of the Montgomery Bus system, the selfless bravery of Mamie Till showing the world what racism had done to her son Emmitt, the strength and determination of nine brave teenagers as they marched to get an education in Little Rock, the unbelievable courage of the children that stood up against police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham… These stories still fill me with hope for a better day in America,” she said.
In her short film FEBRUARY ONE, Cerese looks at the Greensboro Four—a group of African American men who began a sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in North Carolina, an event that became one of the pivotal moments in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Pacific Islanders in Communications Funding Deadline
Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) supports the advancement and development of Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture and contemporary challenges.
PIC is currently accepting proposals for R&D, Production and Completion funds (deadline: July 31).
In keeping with the mission, PIC helps Pacific Islander stories reach national audiences through funding support for productions, training and education, broadcast services and community outreach. In the past 15 years, PIC has awarded more than $2 million towards television productions, assisted 14 Pacific Islander producers in broadcasting their programs on national public television and has provided training to more than 120 emerging media makers.
The Latest ITVS International Films on iTunes
Selected ITVS International films are now available on iTunes for download to rent ($2.99) or to own ($9.99). Check out the latest films now available:
SEEDS OF SUMMER: At an army base in the heart of Israel’s southern desert, two young female military recruits make the transformation from fragile, vulnerable young girls to confident soldiers and fierce fighters.
IRANIAN KIDNEY BARGAIN SALE: An inside look at the growing organ industry in Iran where every 10 minutes, a young person wishing to sell his or her kidney appears at the entrance of a kidney referral agency.
Ask Programming: Recent Questions from Filmmakers
ITVS programming staff answer questions from filmmakers about the funding process:
Q. My film has already screened in festivals but needs additional post work to meet the requirements for television broadcast distribution. Should I apply to ITVS for funding?
A. It would not be in your best interest to apply to ITVS if your program simply needs funding for a cut down to broadcast length. ITVS financing is a co-production investment, and ITVS serves a co-production partner with funded programs, requiring a co-production credit. We recommend that you secure a broadcast outlet for your program; the acquisition license fee is often sufficient to finance a cut down.
On the other hand, if your program requires substantial reversioning for television broadcast, then you must make a clear case for this in your application proposal. Contact a member of the programming staff (information listed below) for further advice on your situation.
Q. Can I send you a few proposals to get your opinion on which one to submit for funding?
A. First, take a look at our recently funded films to get a sense of the type of work ITVS supports. While we can not review proposals before the deadlines, you are welcome to contact the programming department with questions regarding content and subject matter.
For more information, email Joy Marie-Scott: joy_scott@itvs.org or call ITVS at 415-356-8383.
Community Cinema Season Highlights
A full house at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Community Cinema recently wrapped up yet another record-breaking season––with more than 40,000 people attending 400 events in 55 communities across the country. Working behind-the-scenes were Community Cinema’s Regional Outreach Coordinators and Producing Partners who organized the events and worked with over 1,000 local and national organizations, including American Legion Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans, California Newsreel, Women Make Movies, The Green Belt Movement, The Nature Conservancy, 350.org and many more. Read some of the highlights from last season:
CHICAGO 10
Washington, DC: A particularly timely screening, Community Cinema showed CHICAGO 10 on the last night of the Republican National Convention, which concluded just prior to John McCain’s candidacy acceptance speech. Audience members gathered at Busboys & Poets where panelists Yael Flusburg of Split this Rock Poetry Festival and Sarah Jensen of CodePink provided contemporary perspectives on the culture of protest and on-the-ground experiences at the recent conventions. Aviva Kempner, a local filmmaker, and Maurice Jackson, assistant professor of history at Georgetown University, discussed their personal experiences at the 1968 convention and the environment of the time period. Small group discussions compared protest tactics of 1968 to current methods.
Watch ESTILO HIP HOP on Global Voices on PBS WORLD
“If you’re looking for an antidote to the get-rich-quick schemes favored by many in modern hip-hop, be sure to check out a thought-provoking new documentary, ESTILO HIP HOP, premiering this Sunday…”
XXL Magazine
ESTILO HIP HOP chronicles the lives of three hip hop enthusiasts from Brazil, Chile and Cuba who firmly believe that hip hop can change the world. These three inspirational leaders mobilize young people to become politically active. However as the stakes assume greater risks, the leaders are faced with challenges and have to make a life-altering decisions that ultimately impact the course of their lives and of the hip hop movement.
Watch a preview below:
ESTILO HIP HOP airs Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 PM on Global Voices on PBS WORLD (check local listings).
NBPC and ITVS Launch Virtual Screenings From The Masculinity Project
The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) are launching a weekly, web-based “virtual screening” series, June 25-July 30, which will showcase some of the latest thought-provoking and highly-acclaimed short documentaries from The Masculinity Project. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A to give audience members worldwide the opportunity to engage with the filmmakers.
Launched in November 2008 by NBPC, ITVS and the help of national partners, The Masculinity Project is an interactive multimedia and community engagement initiative. The initiative delves beyond stereotypes to reveal what it means to be a black man in America through an online mix of new and re-released works from emerging and veteran filmmakers, focusing on the areas of community, justice, culture and family.
The first “virtual screening” will be tonight at 8:00 PM EDT and feature the film ANDREW (INVISIBLE MEN), by Angela Tucker, which looks into the lives of two former homeless men in New York City.
Watch ANDREW (INVISIBLE MEN) tonight and join the discussion >>
ITVS Hosts Queer X-Change for LGBT Filmmakers
As part of ongoing efforts to bring young and emerging talent to public television, ITVS recently hosted an invitation-only event for four filmmakers from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Each were nominated by veteran producers who attended 2007’s LGBT Filmmaker Summit, a meeting that addressed issues related to the LGBT community. The ITVS Queer X-Change was hosted by the Programming Department’s Richard Saiz and Jonathan Archer and featured a case-study from ITVS-funded filmmaker Johnny Symons, who gave feedback to the presenters along with ITVS-funded filmmaker Charlotte Lagarde. Attendee Andy Blubaugh offers his take below.
Andy Blubaugh discusses his film THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM at the ITVS Queer X-Change.
I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I was invited to the Queer X-Change, an event aimed at encouraging emerging LGBT directors to produce for public television. My own film, THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM, seemed like a stretch for public television, both in its content and its execution. Worse, I had become wary of the effort that’s required to even be considered for ITVS funding. The Open Call process, while rewarding for the films that make it through, is arduous and time consuming. I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to try again.
But when you get an invitation to attend something like this, you don’t hesitate. You pack your bags, burn a ton of DVDs, and get excited.
As we gathered at the ITVS headquarters in San Francisco, I started to get nervous. Was I even ready to show my project in front of these people? These were, after all, the most important decision makers in public television that I’ve ever been in a room with. I felt outgunned.
Season Premiere of P.O.V. Tonight on PBS
NEW MUSLIM COOL premieres tonight on a brand new season of P.O.V. on PBS
Even though the Independent Lens season has come to an end, you can still catch some of the best Indie films on our sister series P.O.V., which kicks off its season with NEW MUSLIM COOL tonight at 10:00 PM on PBS (check local listings).
Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Pérez pulled himself out of drug dealing and street life 12 years ago and became a Muslim. Now he’s moved to Pittsburgh’s tough North Side to start a new religious community, rebuild his shattered family and take his message of faith to other young people through hard-hitting hip-hop music. But when the FBI raids his mosque, Hamza must confront the realities of the post-9/11 world, and himself. NEW MUSLIM COOL takes viewers on Hamza’s ride through streets, slums and jail cells—following his spiritual journey to some surprising places in an America that never stops changing. Produced in association with Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) and the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).
Upcoming Screenings
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A free monthly screening series, Community Cinema features films from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens.
In over 50 cities nationwide, screenings are followed by lively panel discussions that bring together citizens, organizations and public television stations to encourage dialogue and action around important and timely social issues. Last season, over 40,000 people attended 500 events nationwide.
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