Blog 9

The Moondance International Film Festival, which sells itself as “The American Cannes”, is held annually in Boulder, Colorado. The website for the organization, http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/index.html, is full of information that designates their interest in promoting awareness and causes against social injustices on an international scale.

The welcome letter written by Elizabeth English, the founder and executive director of the Moondance International Film Festival, is full of forward thinking ideas. “Films and scripts can contribute to a healthier society and should encourage the active involvement of audiences to connect and act collectively to address social challenges... We honor those writers and filmmakers who, through their creative work, actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences.”

The mission statement explains that the organization wants to promote international screenwriters and independent filmmakers, encourage non-violence in film, support education through film, and reach out toward women film-makers and women writers everywhere in the world, promote the equality of women. “Our mission is to present a vibrant and growing collection of films and writings, which is an ideal means for communication across perceived boundaries of race, culture, age and gender.” The mission statement also includes a large emphasis on women’s rights: “Our work on reaching out toward women film-makers and women writers everywhere in the world is primary and ongoing. Women writers and film-makers from all six continents, and from a wide diversity of ethnic and linguistic groups are an integral part of our mission and goals. We seek to inspire and invigorate this creative potential of women to perceive, conceptualize, and produce their works for the benefit of the world society. We are dedicated to preserving their accumulated accomplishments and visions as expressed through the art of film and writings.”

All articles that I have been able to find give very positive reviews of the film festival. Most articles mention that the focus on positive social changes makes the festival unique and a very worthy cause. I chose to cover an arts-oriented organization because the arts can serve very unique rolls in social issues. Specifically, a film festival such as this one represents a movement of change that is wanted now. Contemporary art have always served as an outlet for the oppressed and this festival is shining light on these issues by seeking out films from all cultures, sexes, races, religions, etc. Art is also something that can be understood without language, making it a more human and binding experience. It is also convenient that the festival takes place in Colorado, the state that isn’t far from any other state!

Readings:

The article over globalization is obviously a very depressing one. I appreciate that the author was trying to display this world issue in light of women’s rights. Enloe realizes that sweatshops are filled with primarily women workers and that is what makes it easier for globalized companies to take advantage of the “opportunity” to put them to work. The author has a very substantial point that can be applied more generally to social issues all over the world. One of the failings of the 3^rd wave may be that we still don’t think of social injustices as being relevant to gender. If we are to understand any social issue/problem/injustice then we really do need to understand the rolls of males and females in the societies affected. The tensions between these rolls can often fuel other problems, like in the case of factory workers.