Artivist Festival opens with Truddel

The 2nd Annual Artivist Film Festival will open with "T R U D E L L" (about the legendary Native American activist and musician John Trudelland) the opening Short: "H O P E" Wed. April 20th at the classic Egyptian Theatre - Hollywood

Wednesday, April 20, 2005 is “Artivist Day,” proclaimed by the City of Los Angeles, and will inaugurate the 2nd Annual Artivist Film Festival – 5 days of activist cinema raising awareness for International Human Rights, Children’s Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Advocacy.

Filmmakers from around the world will unite at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, to address the importance of art and activism in our global community. The diversity of films being presented at The 2nd Annual Artivist Film Festival reflects our mission of creating an artistic, activist arena for global awareness.

We were extremely pleased by the high volume of film submissions for the 2nd Annual Artivist Film Festival, an eclectic mixture from established and first time filmmakers. Their response to Artivist Film Festival demonstrates the passion and force of activists around the world, and the power of the visual image.

On Wed. April 20, our Opening Film, “Trudell”, honors legendary Native American activist John Trudell, whose work as a poet, musician and public speaker exemplifies the Artivist balance between focus and scope – art and action. John Trudell and his band Bad Dog will give a special concert as part of the Opening Night Festivities for Artivist 2005.

Throughout the 5 Day Film Festival, Artivist will screen such notable films as “Emmanuel’s Gift”, narrated by Oprah Winfrey, a story of triumph in the face of adversity, and of the power of an extraordinary individual to incite positive change.



Some films that address human rights issues vocalize the localized experience of a specific community, such as the riveting portrait of “underground railroads” in North Korea in “Seoul Train”, and the frank discussions of the African AIDS pandemic in “A Measure of Our Humanity: HIV/AIDS in Namibia” and “Living with Slim: Kids talk about HIV/AIDS”.







Several films tackle the struggles that the world’s children bear. “Hummingbird” focuses on street children in Brazil, while “Stolen Childhoods“, narrated by Meryl Streep, exposes the expanse of child labor around the world. Both of these films, as well as “Endangered Species” and “It’s Like That”, portray both the hope and resilience in even the most plighted children and the dire need for compassionate advocacy on their behalf by conscientious adults.

“Oil on Ice”, “The Future of Food”, and “Oil and Water” explore humankind’s relationship to our environment, and call for an increasingly respectful interaction that works to sustain our finite natural resources.

Our slate of films concerned with animal advocacy use the topic to plumb issues that embrace a broader scope, such as “Earthlings”, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, which urges viewers to “make the connection” between all the inhabitants of our planet, and to see how our interactions with the environment and with animals both inform and comment upon our interactions with fellow humans. “Pe aceable Kingdom” and “The Witness”, through stories of animal rescue, address the value of universal respect and the redemptive potential of compassion.


THE 2005 ARTIVIST AWARDS
“Merging Art & Activism For Global Consciousness”

The 2nd Annual Artivist Film Festival & The 2005 Artivist Awards is a multi-faceted event devoted to the films, individuals and organizations that have brought Art and Activism to the forefront of our global society. The Artivist Awards Honors Socially Conscious Filmmakers, Activist Celebrities And The Work Of Outstanding Charitable Organizations. 70 International Films Will Compete For “The Artivist Award” In 5 Categories on Sunday, April 24th.