Underground Railroad film & discussion series returns!

SEPTEMBER 16 SAFE HOUSE SCREENING: Two films featuring Afro-Ururguyan people and culture
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 PM
Location: Central Cinema - $5.00 admission
1411 21st Avenue (21st Avenue & Union Street), Central Seattle

CANDOMBE
Directed by Rafael Deugenio
16 minutes.Spanish with English subtitles.

More than two hundred years ago, there was an influx into Uruguay of slaves from Africa whom, after being freed, continued to make up the poorest and most marginalized strata in society. Fernado Nunez, a Black man, a musician, and a maker of drums, sees himself as the heir to "Candombe", an important social and cultural legacy from his slave forefathers. The official history and culture of Uruguay, on the other hand, which has never acknowledged this contribution to the degree which it deserves, continues to marginalize expressions of Black culture. Fernando Nunez and his friends from the Barrio Sur back street quarter of Montevideo have decided to fight to keep these important cultural roots alive in the consciousness of the Uruguayan people.

followed by

A DIOS MOMO
Uruguay, 2005



Directed by Leonardo Ricagni. Starring Jorge Esmoris, Mathias Acuna, and Washington Luna.
100 minutes.Spanish with English subtitles.

Obdulio is an 11-year-old Afro-Uruguayan street boy who lives with his grandmother and sells newspapers for a living while he cannot read or write. Obdulio is not interested in going to school until he finds out that the night watchman of the newspaper's office is a charismatic magical "Maestro" who not only introduces him to the world of literacy but also teaches him the real meaning of life through the lyrics of the "Murgas" (Carnival Pierrots) during the mythical nights of the irreverent and provocative Uruguayan carnival.

With a poetic nod to Fellini, Leonardo Ricagni uses the carnival atmosphere to transport the viewer to a magical place where realism and surrealism live side by side in Uruguay—and what a wonderful place to be. With sweeping directorial vision and gorgeously shot with rich, vibrant colors, A DIOS MOMO achieves a rich visual and spiritual sensibility unparalleled today.

– Shaz Bennett AFI Fest 2005

Presented in celebration of the Seattle International Latino Film Festival, September 24-27, 2009.
The Seattle International Latino Film Festival aims to exhibit films that recognize the richness and diversity of Spanish speaking communities worldwide. The broad range of Latino cultural expression cannot be minimized to stereotypes.

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Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Special Events

Summer Youth Musical

Bobos

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center

104 - 17th Avenue South, Seattle

17th Avenue South & Yesler Way - Metro bus #27

Date: August 17 - 23

Quincy Jones, legendary composer arranger, says "...Bobos is the future of musical theatre." This urban opera deals with the tough choices facing youth in the streets of Seattle. Forty-Eight (48) youth fill this ensemble with vibrancy and difficult choices under peer pressure. Call 206-684-4758 for information.

Arts, culture, & academic opportunities

4CULTURE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE CONDUCTIVE GARBOIL GRANT (July 27 - Seattle only)

CALL FOR ARTISTS

New annual award celebrates innovative artists with a connection to Pioneer Square neighborhood and community

(King County, WA) – The Estate of Su Job, 4Culture and Artist Trust are delighted to announce a Call for Applications for the 2009 Conductive Garboil grant. This new annual, non-restricted award of $3,000 is open to Seattle artists who have a connection to the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The grant acknowledges artists who have "Demonstrated a profound ability to challenge the limits of conductive creative discourse and its effects on our society, pushing the creative act beyond the accepted limits, definitions, or purposes of art while engaging audiences outside the aesthetic industrial complex."

Applications are due July 27, 2009. The call and application may be found on the 4Culture website at: www.4culture.org/publicart/calls/default.asp

Details may be found at www.garboil.org

Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to support and encourage individual artists working in all disciplines in order to enrich community life throughout Washington State. Learn more at www.artisttrust.org

CFP: Wasafiri New Writing Prize (deadline: 31 July 2009 - international)

Wasafiri New Writing Prize -- opportunity to be published in this international magazine and win £300. The deadline has been specially extended to 31st July 2009. Further details can be found at:

http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/pdf/rwas_writing_prizel.pdf

National Endowment for the Humanities (August 26, 2009 and January 13, 2010 - United States)

The Division of Public Programs at the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities funds radio, television, and digital projects in the humanities that are intended for public audiences. New application guidelines are now posted on the NEH Web site (www.neh.gov) for America's Media Makers: Development and Production grants. The next two deadlines are August 26, 2009, and January 13, 2010. Program officers in the Division of Public Programs are available to assist you, whether it is to discuss project ideas or to read a draft proposal. Please call the NEH Division of Public Programs (202-606-8269) or contact a program officer directly. Below are the names and contact information for the Division's program officers: Barbara Bays, 202-606-8290, bbays@neh.gov Jeff Hardwick, 202-606-8287, jhardwick@neh.gov Clay Lewis, 202-606-8288, clewis@neh.gov David Martz, 202-606-8297, dmartz@neh.gov John Meredith, 202-606-8218, jmeredith@neh.gov Karen Mittelman, 202-606-8631, kmittelman@neh.gov Kathleen Mulvaney, 202-606-8270, kmulvaney@neh.gov Danielle Shapiro, 202-606-8241, dshapiro@neh.gov Michael Shirley, 202-606-8293, mshirley@neh.gov David Weinstein, 202-606-8304, dweinstein@neh.gov Thank you.

Public Programs National Endowment for the Humanities Room 426 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20506 202/606-8269 Email: publicpgms@neh.gov Visit the website at http://neh.gov

2010 OAH ERIK BARNOUW AWARD (December 1, 2009 – Canada, United States)

The Erik Barnouw Award, first given in 1983, honors the late Erik Barnouw, Columbia University, a historian of the mass media. One or two awards are given annually in recognition of outstanding programming on network or cable television, or in documentary film, concerned with American history, the study of American history, and/or the promotion of history.

The winning film or video program will be screened and the award will be presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the OAH in Washington, DC, April 7-10. Only films and video programs released January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 are eligible for entry. Films and videos selected as "honorable mention" will be shown at the annual meeting, along with the Barnouw winner, as part of the OAH Screening History film series.

One copy of each entry must be received by each committee member and the OAH by December 1, 2009. No late submissions will be accepted. One copy of each entry, clearly labeled "2010 Erik Barnouw Award Entry," must be mailed directly to:

Elspeth H. Brown (Committee Chair)
CSUS/Munk Centre
University of Toronto
1 Devonshire Place
Toronto, ON M5S 3K7
Canada

Lary May
88 Arthur Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
[Affiliation: University of Minnesota]

Gerald E. Shenk
Until November 1, 2009
Social & Behavioral Sciences
California State University, Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA 93955
After November 1, 2009, films must be sent to Professor Shenk in the Philippines. Address will be available at a later date.

Organization of American Historians
PO Box 5457 (111 North Bryan Avenue)
Bloomington, IN 47407-5457

Call For Entries – Award New Media Foundation Liedts-Meesen (November 1, 2009 - Belgium)

Update III

Zebrastraat

Zebrastraat 32/001
9000 Gent
Belgium
Phone: 0032/(0)477/7898098
Contact: Isolde De Buck
award@zebrastraat.be

www.zebrastraat.be
At the occasion of the Update III exhibition that is organised as a Biennial event at the Zebrastraat Gent, the Liedts-Meesen Foundation will award for the second time, a work by a living artist distinguishing himself or herself in the field of digital art. This award will consist of a cash purse and a showcase in the Update IV to be held in 2012.

Entry forms and guidelines available at http:// www.zebrastraat.be
http://www.zebrastraat.be/kunst_3_91.html

Deadline November 1 2009- Final Deadline

The upcoming exhibition, Update III (in 2010), will be held in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, under the artistic direction of the exhibition's commissioner Christine Van Assche.
At the same time, the 10 works selected for the Liedts-Meesen Foundation award will be exhibited and integrated into the publication accompanying the exhibition.

Update's mission
Update's mission is to expand the scope of contemporary artistic creations and traditional media with works dedicated to employing contemporary and new technologies in an original and intelligent way: treatment of sounds and light, use of new media, application of innovative evolutions in communications, telecommunications and broadcasting, centred on the world of information, communication, and computers and interaction.
These descriptions are in no way restrictive and should be interpreted in a broader meaning

General guidelines for entry in the competition
The aim of the competition is to present works in accordance with Update's objectives. The submitted work can have been previously exhibited, but the jury reserves the right to choose creations that are proven to be practically realisable within the possibilities of the Liedts-Meesen Foundation, keeping in mind that the works will be displayed during the exhibition.

Calendar and conditions of the competition
The choice of the 10 projects selected by the jury will be rendered public at the occasion of the Lineart Art Salon (Ghent) from the 4th to the 8th December, 2009.
Those projects that have been retained will then be installed in order to be exhibited alongside of the Update III exhibition from March to June 2010 and published in the exhibition catalog. The basic equipment is available to be used by the selected artists; specific and special equipment must be provided for, and lent by the artists for the duration of the exhibition.
During the Update exhibition, one of the nominees will be chosen for the prize award given by the Liedts-Meesen Foundation. A people's choice award is also foreseen.

Eligibility and submission details
This international competition is open to all age groups and to all nationalities. English is the working language. Deliverables: A general portfolio of the artist including a CV and a detailed description of the work submitted, accompanied by visual material is demanded. The material must be provided either in an uploadable format or must be easy to reproduce as the jury's decision will be primarily based on the visual documentation. Submissions are to be sent to Foundation Liedts-Meesen, Concours Nouveaux Médias, Zebrastraat 32/001, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

The Jury
The jury will be composed of ten members:

o Peter Weibel (Director of ZKM Karlsruhe)
o Jean-Marie Dallet (Professor and Commissioner of Update I)
o Philippe Van Cauteren (Director of SMAK Gent)
o Francoise Meesen (Fondation Liedts-Meesen)
o Dirk De Wit (Director of IBK-IAK)
o Stef Van Bellingen (Consultant for Zebrastraat-artistic leader VZW Warp)
o Christine Van Assche (Curator New Medias Nouveaux Medias Centre Pompidou-Paris)
o Art Yan (Organiser of the exhibition E-Arts Festival, Shangai)
o Nick Ervinck (artist), winner of the Update II public award 2008
o Julien Maire (artist), winner of the Update II jury's award 2008

Prize
For 2010, a 5000 euro cash award is foreseen by the Liedts-Meesen Foundation. This indivisible cash award will be allocated to a work and to its creator.
Moreover, the jury reserves the right to award an honourable mention to an artist.
The Liedts-Meesen Foundation and the jury reserve the right to not award a prize and to transfer it to the next exhibition.

Partnership-in-Scholarship Grants launched to support collaborative projects between African American Historic Places and college/university scholars (September 30, 2009 – United States)

Thanks to funding from the Ford Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be launching Partnership-in-Scholarship Grants to support collaborative projects between African American Historic Places and college/university scholars. This year, four grants of $15,000 each (no match required) will be awarded in fall 2009 to projects that help sustain current or attract new audiences at historic sites or enhance the interpretation of challenging topics at historic sites. Eligible projects include: * improving public access to African American historical and cultural resources at historic places, * strengthening teaching and education at colleges and universities through historic places, * promoting research and original scholarship of a significant theme related to African American history and culture to support joint public programs, * providing opportunities for lifelong learning through a collaborative program, * strengthening each institution's humanities programming in order to preserve, enhance, or enjoy significant African American historic places. Guidelines for the Partnership-in-Scholarship Grants are available online or through the NTHP Regional Office near you. National Trust Historic Sites and elementary and secondary schools are not eligible to apply. Deadlines for applications is September 30, 2009; applications will be available in July.

Max A. van Balgooy Director of Interpretation and Education National Trust for Historic Preservation 1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Email: max_vanbalgooy@nthp.org Visit the website at http://historicsites.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/partnership-in-scholarship-grant-program-announced/

FLORIDA CONFERENCE OF HISTORIANS WAKULLA SPRINGS, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 18-20 2010 AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTH SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION (SIS) on MEDIA ARTS AND CULTURE (December 18, 2009 - Florida, USA) The Florida Conference of Historian Special Interest Section on Media Arts and Culture wishes to encourage scholarship aimed at African-American experience in the United States. The FCH-Media Arts and Culture SIS wishes to encourage scholars examining African-American agency and autonomy since Reconstruction in the South. Key to our concerns are scholars investigating community, family, and organizations that sought to further African-American inclusion in U.S. society. We welcome interdisciplinary submissions on or concerning African-American history, culture, literature, theory, and media to the FCH annual meeting. The Media Arts and Culture SIS encourages graduate students, undergraduates, and independent scholars who wish to participate. All conference invitees are eligible for review for inclusion in the FCH refereed published proceedings. 1. Paper title and abstract/proposal (300-500 words) 2. Brief vita or biography (one page max) 3. Complete personal information: name, department, academic affiliation, mailing address, and e-mail address. Worthwhile topics include (but are not limited to): African-Americans and Gender since Reconstruction African-Americans and Nationalism since Reconstruction Religion and the African-American Experience since Reconstruction African-Americans and the Media since Reconstruction African-American Townships in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Georgia since Reconstruction African-American Literature since Reconstruction African-American and Frontier Mythos Abstracts and panel proposal should be sent to Emily Russell:erussell@rollins.edu Deadline for submission is December 18th

Emily Russell Co-coordinator, Special Interest Section on Media Arts and Culture for Florida Conference of Historians Email: erussell@rollins.edu

VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL KINSHIP DAY FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008

2^ND ANNUAL VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (VPAFF) KINSHIP DAY FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008. FULL PROGRAM AND TICKETS WWW.VPAFF.ORG

Vancouver, B.C. October 20, 2008..Nanaimo native Ebony Johnson has combined her award-winning talent - and personal tragedies - to communicate with a passion for her African roots, and to produce the second annual Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival to be held October 24 to 26 in Vancouver. With cutting-edge films, a moving concert of African music, panel discussions, workshops and dance, Ms. Johnson plans to make this year’s Festival the best yet. Advance Tickets online at www.vpaff.org

“With the Province of British Columbia and both the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby declaring October 24 to 26 as “Kinship Day”, and the generous support of our sponsors, my goal of building bridges between cultures is closer than ever” said Ms. Johnson, who also speaks French and Japanese and hosts her own world beat music show on-line Afrobeat. “The purpose of the VPAFF is to promote Canada’s cultural diversity and to build community through the arts”.

Last year’s inaugural VPAFF (held October 26 & 27) was a great success - and an historic event. It was endorsed by all levels of government, including Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. Moreover, the event attracted international attention to Vancouver, and included government delegates from Africa and the U.S., as well as distinguished guests, Ambassador Andrew Young and entourage, renowned American filmmaker Charles Burnett, and Government of Namibia officials.

The 2008 VPAFF runs from Friday October 24 (United Nations Day) through Sunday October 26. The program includes:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24: Hosted by Jamaican-born and Canadian Raised Denis Simpson – award-winning actor

5:30 pm – to 10:30 pm – Gallery Gachet – 88 East Cordova Street, Vancouver

Star-Studded Opening Night & Fundraising Festivities: An exciting evening of fun, food, music, dance and film. Hollywood star and human rights activist Danny Glover is expected to introduce his new film, Poor Boy’s Game. Other entertainment includes Vancouver based DJ Diallo who will heat up the dance floor with the best of traditional, modern and everything between from across the African continent, and an invigorating Zulu dance inviting lively audience participation through call and response, led by famous African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu. Raffle items include, wine, gift baskets full of African products, pizza cooking stone and pizza wheel, and beautiful Zimbabwean sculpture donated by Stone Age Art and a two nights’ stay at the Tropicana Suite Hotel Vancouver and more. 5:30 PM to 10 pm, Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova St. Tickets $35 on-line: www.vpaff.com (Tix includes VIP Reception entry and Opening film)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: Harbour Centre SFU Downtown, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

11 am to 7 pm – Fletcher Challenge Theatre

Films: The festival premieres the screening of Jason E. Sims The Obama Exeprience, a brilliant 3D-Short animation inspired by the ground breaking efforts of the Barack Obama campaign, Senator Obama Goes to Africa – Directed by Bob Hercules and produced by Keith Walker. Narrated by Barack Obama, the documentary, this film chronicles his return to his paternal family's roots on an emotional journey to Africa. It’s Time African Women Join Hands against Domestic Violence, Produced and Directed by Steven Hunt, and co-presented with the Law Courts Educational Society of BC. From Under the Bushy Trees, directed by Moira Simpson and Jan Padgett, this is a feature length documentary that explores how to deliver aid to Africa with justice and dignity. Bavubuka All Stars, by Canadian Aaron Elton, a documentary promoting Africa’s next generation young positive musicians, and Dan Balluff’s Children of Congo: From War to Witches a must see film, showing individuals and organizations that are implementing positive change for the children and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tickets on Sale: www.vpaff.org

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: Harbour Centre SFU Downtown, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

11 am to 7 pm – Fletcher Challenge Theatre

• Music & Dance – All Aboard the VPAFF Express on Sunday at 11 am – 12:30 pm

Exciting workshop will include a solo performance by acclaimed South African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu as a warm-up to the simultaneous broadcast with South Africa. "In South Africa we have a lot of dances, especially now with some from other parts of Africa, and the music, interestingly, we still have music that inspires us to sing along, clap hands and dance traditional styles, which is the way we have celebrated life since the beginning of time”, said Bheki whose productions include Sarafina! Bafana and The Lion King. This 90-minute workshop of African song and dance goes from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

Simultaneous Broadcast with South Africa 11 am to 3 pm

• The Reel PanAfriCAN SoundsCAPE Videos: A ground-breaking inter-continental experience linking Vancouver audience members in ‘creative conversation’ with African film subjects in Africa! Stunning, Canada-South Africa co-production combining interactive film, music, dance and dialogue with participating audiences in both Canada and South Africa to explore issues of migration, multiculturalism and the role of the artist in promoting cross-cultural understanding. These films were made by artists who emigrated from other parts of Africa and who experienced severe animosity as they attempted to make a new home.

Using Internet video technology, this event links Vancouver audience members directly with people in Cape Town, South Africa in a creative conversation. This two-hour ground breaking event will be led on each side by a vibrant MC to create an interactive expression of African unity, understanding and international cooperation. Tickets on Sale now: www.vpaff.org

• Panel Discussion – 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

“Say NO to Stigma”: A discussion pressing issues of immigration, xenophobia, multiculturalism promoting cross-cultural understanding of refugee rights, resilience and reconciliation with panel members that include Dr. Catherine Murray (SFU), Moussa Magassa (Uvic), Rudolf Richards (Community Elder), Heiko Decosas (SFU), Addy Kgomo (Umoja Compassion Society), Arthur Martins-Aginam (SFU)

• 4:45 pm - Kinship Day Festival Closing Ceremony by Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Province of British Columbia

Closing Feature Film: God Grew Tired Of Us – 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm

The winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival – God Grew Tired of Us, the story features The Lost Boys of Sudan. This powerful documentary tells the story of four boys ages 3 to 13 orphaned by a civil war.

Fleeing their villages, they formed a surrogate family, protecting and providing for each other, traveling together for 5 years, over thousands of miles, against all odds reaching a UN refugee camp in Kenya. Eventually they were selected to settle in the United States by a humanitarian aid organization.

Tickets for the Vancouver Pan-African Arts, Culture & Film and Festival are on sale now at www.vpaff.org.

Sponsors include City Of Vancouver, Corus Entertainment TV Listings, Line One Computer Services, SFU Speaking of the World Series, International Development, Continuing Studies, Ethical Bean, the Law Courts Education Society of BC, CBC Radio and TV, Highlife World Records, Stone Age Art, Omni Television, Shaw Multicultural Television, Skytrain, Shea Butter Market, Coast Mountain Bus, The Beat 94.5 FM, Gallery Gachet, Jamaican Pizza Jerk, Tropicana Hotel and more. ($15)

Vancouver Pan African Film Festival (Canada), October 24-26!

http://www.vpaff.org

2nd ANNUAL VANCOUVER PAN-AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL (VPAFF)
OCTOBER 24 TO 26, 2008 PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Vancouver, B.C. September 29, 2008 ... U. Ebony Johnson, a Nanaimo native has combined her award-winning talent - and personal tragedies - to communicate, with a passion for her African roots, and to produce the second annual Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival to be held October 24 to 26 in Vancouver. With cutting-edge films, a moving concert of African music, panel discussions, workshops and dance, Ms. Johnson plans to make this year's Festival the best yet. Actor and filmmaker Danny Glover will make a guest appearance.

"With the Province of British Columbia and both the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby declaring October 24 to 26 as "Kinship Day" and the generous support of our sponsors, my goal of breaking down barriers between cultures is closer than ever" said Ms. Johnson, who also speaks French and Japanese and hosts her own world beat music show on-line Afrobeat. "The purpose of the VPAFF is to promote Canada's cultural diversity and to build community through the arts".

Last year's inaugural VPAFF (held October 26 & 27) was a great success - and an historic event. It was endorsed by all levels of government, including Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. Moreover, the event attracted international attention to Vancouver, and included government delegates from Africa and the U.S., as well as distinguished guests, Ambassador Andrew Young and entourage, renowned American filmmaker Charles Burnett, and Government of Namibia officials.

The 2008 VPAFF runs from Friday October 24 (United Nations Day) through Sunday October 26. The program includes:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24:

Opening Night Festivities. An exciting evening of fun, food, music, dance and film. Hollywood star and human rights activist Danny Glover is expected to introduce his new film, Poor Boy's Game. Other entertainment includes famous African dancer/choreographer Bheki Ndlovu and DJ Diallo.

Raffle items include trips, Translink passes, Whistler/Blackcomb tickets, shopping gift cards, a beautiful Zimbabwean sculpture donated by Stone Age Art and more. 5:30 PM to 10 pm, Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova St. Tickets $25 on-line via www.vpaff.com

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: Harbour Centre Simon Fraser University, Downtown
11 am to 6 pm

* Films

- Senator Obama Goes to Africa – Directed by Bob Hercules and produced by Keith Walker.

- African Women Join Hands Against Domestic Violence, Produced and Directed by Steven Hunt

- Moving Pictures, Moving Lives

- The Reel PanAfriCAN SoundsCAPE Videos: Stunning, Canada-South Africa co-production combining interactive film, music, dance and dialogue with participating audiences in both Canada and South Africa to explore issues of migration, multiculturalism and the role of the artist in promoting cross-cultural understanding. Director Sarah Van Borek divides her time between Vancouver and Johannesburg on this unique project. Ebony Johnson is proud to present the Canadian premiere of these videos through the VPAFF platform she has founded.

* Paintings

- 7 intriguing new works on the topic of Kinship created specially for the festival by international artist Garett Campbell-Wilson.

* Music & Dance – All Aboard the VPAFF Express on Sunday at 11 am – 12:30 pm

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26

Simultaneous Broadcast With South Africa 11 am to 3 pm

o Using Internet video technology, this event links Vancouver audience members directly with people in Cape Town, South Africa in a creative conversation. First there is a two-hour workshop of African song and dance staged on both continents going from 11 am to 12:30 pm. At 1 pm five short films will be screened and seen by both Vancouver and Cape Town audiences. These films were made by artists who emigrated from other parts of Africa and who experienced severe animosity as they attempted to make a new home.
o This two-hour ground breaking event will be led on each side by a vibrant MC to create an interactive expression of African unity, understanding and international cooperation.

Panel Discussion 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Say NO To Stigma: a discussion of refugee rights, resilience and reconciliation with panel members that include academics, diplomats, educator, activist s and filmmakers.

Feature Film: God Grew Tired Of Us - 5 pm to 7 pm

The winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival – God Grew Tired of Us, the story features The Lost Boys of Sudan. This powerful documentary tells the story of four boys ages 3 to 13 orphaned by a civil war.

Fleeing their villages, they formed a surrogate family, protecting and providing for each other, traveling together for 5 years, over thousands of miles, against all odds reaching a UN refugee camp in Kenya. Eventually they were selected to settle in the United States by a humanitarian aid organization.

Tickets for the Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival are on sale now at www.vpaff.org.

Sponsors include: City Of Vancouver, Corus Entertainment TV Listings, Line One Computer Services, Simon Fraser University, Ethical Bean, the Law Courts Education Society of B.C.; Gallery Gachet, CBC Radio and TV, Omni Television, Shaw Multicultural Television, PublicityPlus and more.


FOR MORE INFORMATION: castyourself@vpaff.org, Festival Office 604-422-8438. www.vpaff.org