2008 Woodie Awards
Joining Art and Activism
Tammy Funicello
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: Valley Life
The Artivist Film Festival, which brought Los Angeles the critically acclaimed "Super Size Me," returned for a second round April 20 through 24 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
The festival celebrated another year of bringing art and activism together, featuring more than 70 films from 26 countries with a different globally conscience theme each night, including animal advocacy, Earth consciousness, human rights and children's advocacy. With the success of the first festival, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn officially proclaimed April 20 as Artivist Day earlier this month.
Of the films shown, some of the most emotionally provoking were "Emmanuel's Gift," narrated by Oprah Winfrey, about a disabled orphan in Ghana, while "Trudell" is a film honoring John Trudell, a legendary Native American. One of the films shown on animal advocacy night was "Earthlings" narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Shaun Monson.
"This is a film about humankind's total economic dependency on animals," said Monson. "People leave this film surprisingly empowered. It has the capacity to be revolutionary and change the products you wear and use."
This year's honorees were Mira Sorvino for international human rights and James Cromwell for animal rights. "I got involved with this because it is important as the majority of American people are ignorant," said Cromwell. "These film-makers tell you what the problem is and how to fix it."
Last year's honoree, Valley College alumnus Ed Begley Jr., stopped by the festival to promote his all-purpose cleaner "Begley's Best."
"I wanted to go into business to make an environmentally sound product," said Begley. "I wanted to do well by doing good."
In addition to "Super Size Me," last year's festival premiered such notable films such as "Urban Elephant" and "Juvies."
"I am concerned about the state of the planet and I also love animals. Even if you aren't a vegetarian you can still be here to support and to learn," said Film Festival guest Brynn Horrocks, who heard about the festival from a friend.
The festival celebrated another year of bringing art and activism together, featuring more than 70 films from 26 countries with a different globally conscience theme each night, including animal advocacy, Earth consciousness, human rights and children's advocacy. With the success of the first festival, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn officially proclaimed April 20 as Artivist Day earlier this month.
Of the films shown, some of the most emotionally provoking were "Emmanuel's Gift," narrated by Oprah Winfrey, about a disabled orphan in Ghana, while "Trudell" is a film honoring John Trudell, a legendary Native American. One of the films shown on animal advocacy night was "Earthlings" narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Shaun Monson.
"This is a film about humankind's total economic dependency on animals," said Monson. "People leave this film surprisingly empowered. It has the capacity to be revolutionary and change the products you wear and use."
This year's honorees were Mira Sorvino for international human rights and James Cromwell for animal rights. "I got involved with this because it is important as the majority of American people are ignorant," said Cromwell. "These film-makers tell you what the problem is and how to fix it."
Last year's honoree, Valley College alumnus Ed Begley Jr., stopped by the festival to promote his all-purpose cleaner "Begley's Best."
"I wanted to go into business to make an environmentally sound product," said Begley. "I wanted to do well by doing good."
In addition to "Super Size Me," last year's festival premiered such notable films such as "Urban Elephant" and "Juvies."
"I am concerned about the state of the planet and I also love animals. Even if you aren't a vegetarian you can still be here to support and to learn," said Film Festival guest Brynn Horrocks, who heard about the festival from a friend.
