POEFF poster
On August 29, 2008, the Peace On Earth Film Festival begins an earnest dialogue on peace and non-violence through the vehicle of independent film. Presenting 40 independent films from around the world at Victory Gardens’ Biograph Theater, the Peace On Earth Film Festival (POEFF) intends to raise awareness of the cross-cultural issues of war, conflict, international politics and the environment, all the while presenting peace as a possibility.
Established through the vision of Executive Director Nick Angotti and New Thought Chicago, POEFF works to challenge perspectives of filmmakers and audience through the incredible power of film. “We’re really looking forward to this growing and growing. We need to start planting seeds for peace and non-violence,” said Angotti. “The media and films especially are on the vanguard of social change.”
Filmmakers who contributed to this three-day film festival represent 15 different countries including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Rwanda, Tibet, China and the United States. Films include shorts, feature films, animated films and documentaries, and topics span from war and free speech to alternative energy—as seen in The Future is Green—a documentary about plug-in hybrids.
Out of 214 applicants only 40 films were selected. A reviewing committee selected the films that best incorporated the POEFF’s mission and vision. “One of the most difficult things was having to narrow it down, because there were a lot of wonderful films that we weren’t able to use because we just didn’t have enough time for them,” said Angotti, who hopes to expand the film festival to four days and 60 films by next year.
This not-for-profit film festival is supported by its board of directors as well as sponsors like Flourish Studios, Digital Imaging Resources, Inc. and S. Stein & Co. According Danielle Garnier, the director of media relations, the “spiritual” affiliation of the film festival and New Thought Chicago dissuaded all corporate support. The POEFF hopes to catch the interest and support of foundations in the future.
As of one the few film festivals in the world solely dedicated to the topics of peace and non-violence, this premiere is an event to behold. Ticket prices range from $12 for the special screening to $75 for a weekend pass. Don’t miss the question and answer sessions with Khashyar Darvich, director of Dalai Lama Renaissance, Friday, August 29, or the two panel discussions on Saturday and Sunday, both from 4-5p.m. There will be a filmmaker panel moderated by Alan L. Gansberg, a Hollywood writer, producer and director, on Saturday followed by a peacemaker’s panel moderated by Karen Johnson, the state coordinator for the Campaign for a Department of Peace, on Sunday. The award ceremony honoring the best films on Sunday, August 31 will mark the end of the first Peace On Earth Film Festival and the beginning of a new Chicago tradition.
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