Chicago film festival to showcase LGBT documentaries this weekend
Mon. February 20, 2012 9:36 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
"inspired: the voices against prop 8" poster
Chicago, IL -
The 2012 Peace on Earth Film Festival (POEFF) will showcase an exploration of film in the areas of nonviolence, tolerance and social justice at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington, from Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26.
All screenings are free and open to the public.
Hosted by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, POEFF has been an annual event since 2008 presenting filmmakers' challenging perspectives on issues such as human rights, neighborhood violence, food deserts, domestic violence, bullying, war, world politics, environment and economics.
"The Peace on Earth Film Festival was designed to showcase insightful, powerful films that focus on the genre of peace, nonviolence, and social justice," says POEFF Executive Director Nick Angotti.
Opening Night on Thursday, February 23 will kick off with the Midwest premiere of "Lunchtime," a film that explores the burgeoning friendship between a bullied fifth grader and his former kindergarten teacher. The evening will close with the feature length documentary "On the Bridge" which addresses the lives of Iraqi war vets suffering from varying degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Saturday night screenings will feature two LGBT documentaries.
"The Peace On Earth Film Festival is about raising awareness of peace in all its forms," Angotti told ChicagoPride.com. "We support the LGBT movement, because when an individual lives in loss of inherent liberties, the entire world suffers."
"Inspired: The Voices Against Prop 8" will premier Saturday evening, February 25 (6:45pm). The film goes behind the headlines to explore the real people who make up a movement. With arresting footage, director Charlie Gage follows people from all walks of life as they await the California Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of Prop 8. Filmmaker Charlie Gage (interviewed by GoPride.com last week) will Q&A with audience following the screening.
The multiple award-winning documentary "Hollywood to Dollywood" (8:50pm) will screen after "Inspired". The film follows the journey of twin gay brothers Gary and Larry Lane (interviewed by GoPride.com this past fall) from Dolly Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Pigeon Forge, TN as they chase their dream to meet their idol.
The festival will host over 600 students and their teachers for the Student Voices for Peace Showcases, stimulating dialogue on nonviolent solutions and practices. The 37 films being screened were chosen from a field of 150 international films addressing similar topics.
A complete schedule of events and screenings can be found on the Peace On Earth Film Festial website.
All screenings are free and open to the public.
Hosted by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, POEFF has been an annual event since 2008 presenting filmmakers' challenging perspectives on issues such as human rights, neighborhood violence, food deserts, domestic violence, bullying, war, world politics, environment and economics.
"The Peace on Earth Film Festival was designed to showcase insightful, powerful films that focus on the genre of peace, nonviolence, and social justice," says POEFF Executive Director Nick Angotti.
Opening Night on Thursday, February 23 will kick off with the Midwest premiere of "Lunchtime," a film that explores the burgeoning friendship between a bullied fifth grader and his former kindergarten teacher. The evening will close with the feature length documentary "On the Bridge" which addresses the lives of Iraqi war vets suffering from varying degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Saturday night screenings will feature two LGBT documentaries.
"The Peace On Earth Film Festival is about raising awareness of peace in all its forms," Angotti told ChicagoPride.com. "We support the LGBT movement, because when an individual lives in loss of inherent liberties, the entire world suffers."
"Inspired: The Voices Against Prop 8" will premier Saturday evening, February 25 (6:45pm). The film goes behind the headlines to explore the real people who make up a movement. With arresting footage, director Charlie Gage follows people from all walks of life as they await the California Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of Prop 8. Filmmaker Charlie Gage (interviewed by GoPride.com last week) will Q&A with audience following the screening.
The multiple award-winning documentary "Hollywood to Dollywood" (8:50pm) will screen after "Inspired". The film follows the journey of twin gay brothers Gary and Larry Lane (interviewed by GoPride.com this past fall) from Dolly Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to Pigeon Forge, TN as they chase their dream to meet their idol.
The festival will host over 600 students and their teachers for the Student Voices for Peace Showcases, stimulating dialogue on nonviolent solutions and practices. The 37 films being screened were chosen from a field of 150 international films addressing similar topics.
A complete schedule of events and screenings can be found on the Peace On Earth Film Festial website.