The Rated SR Socially Relevant Film Festival’s timely and socially engaging selection this year offers 53 world and US premieres from 33 countries. In addition to a slate of tributes, opening and closing galas, industry panels and a rare Masterclass with legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, recently honored by President Obama and Mayor Di Blasio.
This year the Women Film Critics Circle will present their second annual WFCC Award at the Festival, for Best Film By Or About Women. Women Film Critics Circle members sitting on this year’s WFCC Festival Jury include Monica Castillo [International Business Times], Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi [King’s Road Magazine], Edie Nugent [Cinemovie], Lesley Coffin [TheMarySue.com] and Zuzu Boisson [WBAI Radio].
The films this year are from over thirty countries including Armenia, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Haiti, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kurdistan, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Palestine, Patagonia, Peru, Romania, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE and the USA.
The second edition of the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival Festival runs from March 16th through 22nd at Tribeca Cinemas, Maysles Cinema and SVA in New York City.
The Rated SR Socially Revelant Film Festival is a new not-for-profit festival showcasing socially relevant film content. Nora Armani is an actor and filmmaker with international stage and screen credits in many languages, and Founding Artistic Director of SR. She has curated and organized film events, and guest-curated film festivals internationally and in the US. Nora created the festival in response to the proliferation of violence and violent forms of storytelling.
“I strongly believe that the violence portrayed on our screens and in video games is responsible for the banalization of evil in our societies, and the proliferation of violent forms of communication. Most films today encourage misrepresentation, reinforce stereotypes and create an escapist passive attitude towards major social issues. By simply focusing on socially relevant themes, positive social change can be promoted through the powerful medium of cinema.”
This year’s lineup addresses a wide range of issues, including:
Conflict in the Middle East
Gun control and police brutality
Immigration and exile
Race relations and discrimination
The environment and climate change
The US economy and the oil rush
Violence against women and empowering women
LGBT rights
The films featured in the festival are enlightening, uplifting and entertaining, but most of all artistically appealing. The screenings are followed by Q&A’s with the filmmakers who come from different parts of the world. And the panels offer a wonderful opportunity to network and learn more about filmmaking.
Screenings will take place at:
CUNY Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue, between 34th & 35th Streets)
Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street)
Maysles Cinema (343 Malcolm X Boulevard/Lenox Avenue)
The Quad Cinema (34 West 13th Street, between Fifth & Sixth Avenues)
Center for Remembering & Sharing (123 Fourth Avenue, near Union Square)
Industry Panels will take place at:
SVA MFA SocDoc (136 W 21st Street, 1st Floor, Chelsea)
Center for Remembering & Sharing (123 Fourth Avenue, near Union Square)
The Festival was inaugurated in March 2014 with a program of 55 films from 18 countries at the Quad Cinema.
For tickets and more information, visit the web site online at: http://www.ratedsrfilms.org.
The Women Film Critics Circle is a sister organization From The Women’s Desk on WBAI Radio. More information is online at: wfcc.wordpress.com.
