It’s a blessing and a curse to say that there is just too much good film stuff going on right now. In addition to Crispin Glover coming to town and a new film from Godfrey Reggio, there’s also Film Forward that kicked off last week and runs through March 9.
Film Forward is a partnership between the Sundance Institute and four U.S. federal cultural agencies. It is a touring program that offers film screenings, workshops, and discussions designed to foster dialogue and cross-cultural understanding – which seems a perfect fit for a border city like San Diego. It describes itself as using “the power of cinema to promote broader cultural understanding, inspire curiosity, and enhance awareness of shared stories and values across generations, religion, ethnicity and borders. The partnering federal agencies are the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and The Institute of Museum and Library Services.”
The films tackle themes of tolerance, overcoming adversity, and the transformative power of art. The program tailored for San Diego focuses on communities in conflict and the unique circumstance of living with boundaries and borders.
“Film Forward uses the powerful medium of film and storytelling to bring people of different cultures, viewpoints, and backgrounds together in a shared dialogue,” says Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute. “We are pleased to present Film Forward in collaboration with Museum of Photographic Arts and look forward to the discussion that the films will stimulate with the audiences.”
One of the films screening is the documentary, “Dancing in Jaffa.” Filmmaker Hilla Medalia describes her film as “about defying expectations and believing that change is possible. No matter where the film is shown audiences around the world will relate to the common themes and issues expressed by the students. I am excited to engage audiences in dialogue in San Diego and see if my film can challenge audiences to see their community in a new way.”
“On behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, I am pleased to support these Film Forward activities,” said Joan Shigekawa, Senior Deputy Chairman of National Endowment for the Arts.” Given its location, San Diego is the perfect city to host a conversation around Dancing in Jaffa and Circles and their central themes of reaching across borders and boundaries. It is an exciting opportunity for audiences and filmmakers to connect, listen, and learn.”
International filmmakers Srdan Golubovic (director, “Circles') and Hilla Medalia (director, "Dancing In Jaffa") will tour with Film Forward for a program of film screenings, discussions, and workshops in various venues throughout San Diego and Tijuana.
"Circles" explores the moral dilemmas and story strands that emerge from one fateful moment during the Balkan war. Twenty years later, all of those affected from this moment are forced to confront the past through their own crises. "Dancing In Jaffa" tells the story of Pierre Dulaine, a renowned ballroom dancer who believes that dance can overcome political and cultural differences for Jewish and Palestinian Israeli children.
Schedule Of Events (events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted)
Friday, March 7
1:40pm: Circles - private
Director Srdan Golubovic will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
Escuela Preparatoria Federal Lázaro Cárdenas, Sala Audio Visual
Av. Paseo de los Héroes 11161, Zona Río, Tijuana, B.C. 22010
7:00pm: Dancing in Jaffa
Director Hilla Medalia will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
El Cuarto De Luz, Tijuana
4590 Ave Las Palmas, Fracc. Las Palmas, Tijuana BC
7:00pm: Valentine Road
Discussion following the film
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Saturday, March 8
10:00am: Circles
Director Srdan Golubovic will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
Media Arts Center - Digital Gym
2921 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
1:00pm: Dancing in Jaffa
Director Hilla Medalia will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
Media Arts Center - Digital Gym
2921 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
1:00pm: The World Before Her
Discussion following the film
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
3:00pm-4:00pm: Filmmaker Workshop with directors Srdan Golubovic and Hilla Medalia
Media Arts Center - Digital Gym
2921 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
6:00pm: Circles
Director Srdan Golubovic will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
San Diego Public Library - Central Branch
330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
7:00pm: Dancing in Jaffa
Director Hilla Medalia will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, The Guild Room
2728 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Sunday, March 9
12:00pm: Sundance Session
An opportunity for local filmmakers to hear about all the programs Sundance has to offer and to meet Sundance Film Festival Senior Programmer, Caroline Libresco
Refreshments will be provided.
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
3:00pm: Dancing in Jaffa
Director Hilla Medalia will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
Congregation Beth Israel
9001 Towne Centre Dr., San Diego, CA 92122
6:00pm: Circles
Director Srdan Golubovic will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Friday, March 14
1:30pm: If You Build It - private
Director Patrick Creadon will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
High Tech High International
2855 Farragut Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
5:00pm: If You Build It
Director Patrick Creadon will be in attendance for a discussion following the film
High Tech High International
2855 Farragut Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
