Filmmakers Morrison And Orion Are 'Voices Of Dissent'

Kevin Morrison, director of The Accidental Activist, and Tamsin Orion, the film's executive producer will be featured in the panel "Voices of Dissent" at the Vermont International Film Festival on Sunday, Oct.16, 2005.

The panel will focus on ethics in filmmaking and the difference between activism and propaganda.

"For me, when the subject is war, there has to be an ethical position," Morrison said. "That's why we brought The Accidental Activist to the screen."

The Accidental Activist is an adaptation of the critically-acclaimed New York anti-war play written and performed by Kathryn Blume. "For us, helping to extend Kathryn's anti-war message was a no-brainer," said Orion.

Both Orion and Morrison were thrilled to be selected as part of a panel with filmmakers like Antonio Abreu (All That I Can Be), Robbie Leppzer (The Peace Patriots), and David Zeiger (Sir! No Sir!).

"All these filmmakers have chosen to focus on issues of life and death," said Morrison, "and it's important to talk publicly about why we made these films. We could have chosen other topics, but we didn't."

"Whether activism can cross the line, that's an important question for all of us to answer," said Orion. "We need to figure out where the line is, and talk about the exact difference between activism and propaganda."

The panel discussion will be at 3:30 in Burlington, Vermont.

The Accidental Activist begins with Ms. Blume's personal experience in 2002. Her despair about America's direction launched an inspirational (and accidental) journey onto a global stage, where she led an anti-war event called The Lysistrata Project. It became the single largest protest in theatrical history, covering all 50 states and more than 60 countries worldwide.

The Vermont International Film festival is the oldest Human Rights and Environmental film festival in the world. VIFF provides a forum for films dealing with issues of war and peace, justice and human rights, and the environment. In a cultural context in which industrial commercial filmmaking dominates, VIFF plays a vital role, bringing non-commercial forms of cinematic expression to the public attention.

The 16th edition of the festival will be held Oct. 13 -16, 2005, and will present over 60 films from all over the world. The screenings are accompanied by panels, moderated discussions, photo exhibitions, retrospectives, and other events.

The Accidental Activist is unrated, contains adult language, and runs 63 minutes.

For additional information about the film, contact Kevin Morrison at 310-801-8697 or via email at kevinm@well.com.

For information about Kathryn Blume and the touring version of the stage show, contact Ms. Blume at 802-233-5856, via email at kablume@gmavt.net, or visit www.theaccidentalactivist.com.

For information about Tamsin Orion, contact her at 415-200-9458 or via email at tamsin@tamzina.com.

Material in the movie The Accidental Activist is copyright (c)2005, Tamzina Films and Mighty Ruckus. Material in the stage play The Accidental Activist is copyright (c)2003, Kathryn Blume.