Artivist Film Festival 2005 Announces Selections

Originally Published: March 17, 2005

The Artivist Film Festival, the first international activist film festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children’s Advocacy, Animal Rights and Environmental Preservation through film, visual arts and music, has announced the roster of films and shorts that will that be screened during the five-day festival beginning April 20 at the famed Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

The 2nd annual Artivist Film Festival runs through April 24, culminating with a star-studded closing night awards ceremony where Mira Sorvino will be honored for her work with Amnesty International along with James Cromwell for his tireless efforts on behalf of Farm Sanctuary, and others for Global Green and Prevent Child Abuse.

Amongst the critically-acclaimed featured films and shorts are:

Trudell which opens the festival, artistically
portrays the passionate, painful and multi-dimensional life of Trudell as
he rises from spokesperson for the Indians of All Tribes occupation of
Alcatraz Island in 1968 to Chairman of the American Indian Movement in the
turbulent 70s, to an internationally recognized poet, recording artist and
actor in the 80s and 90s. Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller is featured, as
well as close friends Jackson Browne, Robert Redford, Bonnie Raitt, Kris
Kristofferson and others. Director is Heather Ray.

Earthlings, which is narrated by Academy-Award
nominee Joaquin Phoenix with appearances by Pamela Anderson, James
Cromwell, Bill Maher and Charlize Theron among others, Earthlings is a
groundbreaking film about mankind’s complete commercial dependence on, yet
total disrespect for, animals used as pets, food, clothing, entertainment,
and for medical or scientific research. Director is Shaun Monson.

Emmanuel’s Gift, which is narrated by Oprah Winfrey, this is the story of a disabled orphan whose father abandoned him,
whose village dismissed him and whose country thought him better off dead.
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, who had nothing, but gave everything-and changed a
nation forever. Directors are Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern.

System Failure: Violence, Abuse & Neglect in the CYA. The film exposes the horrific conditions and
human rights violations endemic of the California Youth Authority, one of
the largest youth correctional agencies in the USA, and calls for a
complete reform of the system. Producer is Witness, a leading advocacy
group for children’s rights.

Individual tickets as well as a complete list of films are available through artivist.com »