Editor

 The Peace on Earth Film Festival (POEFF) announces the winners of this years film awards. Every film that played at the 8^th Festival (March 3-6^th) is eligible to win an award.  The festival directors and review committee select entries into the festival and the award winners.

POEFF celebrates and supports independent filmmakers and their work from around the world on the themes of peace, nonviolence, social justice and eco-balance. POEFF aims to contribute to a culture of peace through international cinema, dialogue and programming highlighting individuals on the vanguard of peace activism and social change.

EXPOSE AWARDS:

A special category that the festival directors created 5 years ago to recognize short and feature documentaries that expose a subject that has received little or no media or public attention, but that shares a potent message, and a clear demonstration that change is needed and is possible.

Expose Award for Short Documentary:

HOLODOMOR: VOICES OF SURVIVORS (UKRAINIAN FAMINE / GENOCIDE)

Country: Ukraine, Canada

Director: Ariadna Ochrymovych

Synopsis: “Holodomor: Voices of Survivors” tells the story of a genocide engineered by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in 1932-1933 to suppress Ukrainian nationhood. By confiscating all livestock, grain and basic foodstuffs, Stalin ensured the starvation of the countryside. The world turned a blind eye as Soviet authorities exported Ukraine's wheat to the West while millions perished.

The Expose Award for Feature Documentary:

SINCE: THE BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103

Country: UK

Director: Phil Furey

Synopsis: Terrorism is one of biggest problems facing humanity today, but the families of the 270 victims of Pan Am Flight 103 have lived with it for decades. From the early days when an unprepared U.S. government left the relatives to fend for themselves; however, these first victims of terrorism proved that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary feats.

BEST OF THE FEST AWARDS:

Student Film:

DAILY BREAD

Country: USA

Director: Betsy Tsai

Synopsis: In the middle of night, Omer and Yoni, two Israeli Jewish brothers, encounter Khalid, a Palestinian boy from the West Bank. A fight ensues, resulting in a broken leg. The boys are uncertain what to do. The varied histories, sentiments, divisions, and desperation of both families surface through the boys' memories, and ultimately in their discordant approaches to the situation at hand.

Short Documentary:

A NEW COLOR: THE ART OF BEING EDYTHE BOONE

Country: USA

Director: Marlene "Mo" Morris

Synopsis: Long before “black lives matter” became a rallying cry, Edythe Boone embodied that truth as an artist, an educator, and a great-grandmother. When a deeply personal tragedy ignites a national outcry, everything that Edy has worked for comes into question. “A New Color” illuminates the social issues of our time and shows how the work of one woman reverberates throughout a community to inspire a powerful chorus

Best Animation

OUR GIRL

Country: UK

Director: Ruth Beni

Synopsis: “Our Girl” is aimed at young women who are in danger of being forced to marry someone against their will.

Best Feature Narrative

HAPPY THOSE WHO CRY

Country: Paraguay

Director: Marcello Torcida

Synopsis: Juan is a boy from a wealthy family who doesn't seem to find his path in life. Juan's rebellion does not fare well. A group of local kids find an injured Juan; and a series of confrontation evolve, bringing together Father Mario, a corrupt police force and hardened drug dealers. Through it all "Happy Those Who Cry" is a story full of hope and redemption.

 Best Short Narrative:

AULLIDO (HOWL)

Country: Guatemala

Director: M.D. Neely

Synopsis: A violent secret in Guatemala City is affecting families in every social class and neighborhood. Everyone knows yet are silent. However, Vicente decided to speak up, and his true story in a landmark legal case reveals what happens when a child is bold in the face of injustice and how those in power stood on his behalf

 Feature Documentary:

INDIA’S DAUGHTER

Country: India

Director: Leslee Udwin

Synopsis: The remarkable and inspiring short life of Jyoti Singh, “India’s Daughter” is a study into the mindset of the men who committed her gang-rape and murder in Delhi in December 2012 and the patriarchal society and culture which foment such actions. The film is optimistic, however, as the case has become a catalyst for change. Hindi with subtitles.

STUDENT VOICES FOR PEACE AWARDS:

Student Voices for Peace Showcases are held on Thursday (middle school) and Friday (high school) mornings of the festival. The students screen Official Selections that the POEFF Teacher Advisory Panel has recommended to the festival directors for students in 7th - 12th grades. The students share dialogue on each film then cast their votes for the Student Choice Award for Most Inspiring Story.

Student Voices for Peace Showcase, Student Choice Award for Most Inspiring Story selected by the 7th & 8th Graders: 

 AULLIDO (Howl)

Country: Guatemala

Director: M.D. Neely

Synopsis: A violent secret in Guatemala City is affecting families in every social class and neighborhood. Everyone knows yet are silent. However, Vicente decided to speak up, and his true story in a landmark legal case reveals what happens when a child is bold in the face of injustice and how those in power stood on his behalf

Student Voices for Peace Showcase, Student Choice Award for Most Inspiring Story selected by the 9th - 12th graders:

THE LIVES WE STAND FOR 

Country: USA

Director: Scott Brown and co-directors Morgan Jackson and Zahra Haider

Synopsis: As national outcry in America grows around police brutality and the murder of innocents, 25-year-old Chicago revolutionary, David “Iggyflow” Rucker, takes a stand against a corrupt justice system.

 About the Peace on Earth Film Festival

Now in its eighth year, Peace On Earth Film Festival (POEFF), the primary project of Transcendence Global Media, NFP, is a not-for-profit festival established to celebrate and encourage the work of independent filmmakers from around the world on the themes of peace, nonviolence, social justice and eco-balance. POEFF endeavors to enlighten and empower individuals, families, and communities to step out of the ignorance of conflict, violence and divisiveness, into the light of communication, consideration, tolerance and understanding. For more information and complete schedule, visit www.peaceonearthfilmfestival.org