This year’s festival will take place December 1-4 at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, screening 45 independent, narratives, documentaries, shorts, and experimental films from around the globe. The festival concludes on Saturday, December 4th, with The 2010 Artivist Awards Honoring Peter Fonda, Barbara Pyle, Avis Richards, and the winning films of this year’s festival.
Founded in 2003, “ARTIVIST” is the first international film festival and awards dedicated to raising awareness for Human Rights, Children’s Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy.
Its mission is to strengthen the voice of socially conscious artists – “Artivists” – while raising public awareness for social global causes. Through the years, the Artivist Film Festival has showcased 400+ films representing more than 60 countries around the world.
Artivist has reached millions of people with its film festivals in Hollywood, London, Tokyo, Mexico City, and Lisbon. In recognition of the socially conscious platform it provides, Artivist has been endorsed by Claes Nobel of the Nobel Prize family, Amnesty International, and the United Nations Department of Public Information.
Artivist Founder-President, Diaky Diaz, states “through the films and the presence of diverse NGOs active in human rights, animal advocacy, and environmentalism present at Artivist, the festival presents a unique opportunity for filmgoers to gain both awareness of issues and become active participants in positive change.”
This year’s Film Highlights and Premieres include:
OPENING NIGHT FILM – December 1, 2010. 8:00PM
“ReGeneration”
Director: Philip Montgomery
BEST FEATURE – ARTIVIST SPIRIT, 2010 ARTIVIST AWARDS WINNER
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
Narrated by Ryan Gosling and featuring the music of Sound Tribe Sector 9, the feature film “ReGeneration”, takes an uncompromising look at the issues facing today’s youth and young adults, and the influences that perpetuate our culture’s apathetic approach to social and political causes. Focused on how today’s education, parenting, and media can shape us, the film follows three stories each with a unique perspective.
December 2, 2010. 7:00PM
“How Weed Won the West”
Director: Kevin Booth
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
While California is going bankrupt, one business is booming! ‘How Weed Won the West’ is the story of the growing medical cannabis / marijuana industry in the greater Los Angeles area, with over 700 dispensaries doling out the buds. ‘How Weed Won the West’ puts California forward as an example to the rest of the country by documenting how legalizing marijuana can help save the economy.
December 2, 2010. 9:30PM
“War Don Don” (War is Over)
Director: Rebecca Richman Cohen
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
“War Don Don” (War is Over) is a Rashomon-esque legal documentary with global importance, and a thought provoking film that engages the heart, mind and conscience. In Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Issa Sesay awaits his trial. Prosecutors say Sesay is a war criminal. His defenders say he is a reluctant fighter who protected civilians and played a crucial role in bringing peace.
December 3, 2010. 7:00PM
“Complexo – Universo Paralelo” (A Parallel Universe)
BEST FEATURE – HUMAN RIGHTS, 2010 ARTIVIST AWARDS WINNER Director: Mario Patrocinio
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
At the peak of tensions in Rio, two Portuguese brothers ventured into the most feared slum and lived there during the largest police operation ever launched in that state. They formed friendships with inspirational people that would forever change their lives and their perception of what is possible in this world.
December 3, 2010. 9:30PM
“Hempsters”
Director: Michael Henning
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
“Hempsters” puts hemp at the heart of just about every grassroots issue in America today, and is a rousing portrait of our country’s most spirited and sensible free-thinkers. A hyper-paced ride with a sizzling soundtrack, this motion picture features Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ralph Nader.
December 4, 2010. 12PM
“Play Again”
Director: Director: Tonje Schel
Screening followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
Following six teenagers who, like the average American child, spend up to fifteen hours a day behind video-tv-mobile-computer screens. Director Tonje Schei unplugs these teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure – no electricity, no cell phone, no virtual reality, and experience what it is to “play again”.
December 4, 2010. 2PM
“Massai at Crossroads”
Directors: Joe Dietsch, Kristin Jordan
Premiere followed by Filmmaker Q&A Panel and Reception.
How can cultures integrate modernization while remaining stewards of their traditions? And why is this uniquely important to the human experience? Maasai at Crossroads chronicles the struggles of the Maasai tribe as they attempt to modernize in the 21st century while still preserving their ancient culture.
