Food For Thought Film Festival
Nani Ola Productions presents the second annual
"Food For Thought Film Festival 2008"
Nani Ola Productions is presenting the second annual Food For Thought Film Festival for April 2008, presenting films about our most important life sustaining resource; food. The purpose of the film festival is to educate the public on issues regarding our current food systems including modern food production, distribution and consumption, and their effects on our health, the environment, human rights, and local and global economies.
The screenings are free to the public to encourage the maximum community attendance.
The film program will offer one full day of film screenings followed by post screening discussions led by Executive Producer of the Food For Thought Film Festival Martha Ma, along with invited filmmakers and other guest speakers. The goal of the discussions is to promote dialogue within the communities and to inspire action. Several local and national organizations working towards sustainable, clean, healthy food and fair access are invited to attend the event to provide information and support to community members who are interested in taking immediate action by providing resources.
This year's program will include three feature films: King Corn, Life and Debt and Black Gold. There will also be a screening of the trailer for Asparagus: Stalking the American Life and The Meatrix I, II and II ½ and The True Cost of Food.
Brief Synopsis
King Corn: When two friends discover they are made of corn, they embark on an exploration to better understand how corn has conquered the standard American diet. By growing an acre of corn in Iowa and following the corn trail to the diverse ends of our food chain, they uncover the history of modern farm policies and how America has become the world's largest corn producer, distributor and consumer Their experiment also leads them on a personal journey of unexpectedly discovering deep roots in corn country.
Life and Debt: What's the difference between what a tourist sees and experiences when they visit an idyllic island setting like Jamaica and the reality of daily life for its residences? By juxtaposing the two points of view, this film exposes the poverty and dependence Jamaica has suffered through the loss of its agricultural production as a result of globalization, IMF and World Bank policies; policies that have plunged Jamaica into perpetual debt and subsequent poverty and despair- the Jamaica visitors are oblivious of.
Black Gold: Did you know that for every cup of coffee you purchase, the coffee farmer receives only a few pennies for every cup? This film follows Tadesse Meskela, representative of a farmer's cooperative in Southern Ethiopia as he attempts to secure a living wage for the coffee farmers he represents, and the hope of fair trade for social and economic justice.
The Meatrix I, II and II ½: Flash animation on the truth about factory farming.
The True Cost of Food: Animation about the hidden cost of modern day food production that is anything but cheap.
Dates and Locations
Saturday, April 5th
Community Space at Good Shepherd
108 Cooper St. at 207 St. in Inwood
Directions: A train to 207 St.
12:00pm: Opening and intros
12:30pm: Screening The True Cost of Food
12:45pm: Screening Black Gold
2:00pm: Post screening discussion
2:45 - 3:15pm: Break
3:15pm: Screening Life and Debt
4:45pm: Screening trailer Asparagus: Stalking the American Life
4:50pm: Post screening discussion
5:30 - 6:00pm: Break
6:00pm: Screening The Meatrix I, II and II ½
6:10pm: Screening King Corn
7:45pm: Post screening discussion
Saturday, April 12th
The Countee Cullen Branch Library in Harlem
104 West 136th St. (near Lenox Ave)
Directions: 2 or 3 Train to 135th St
212 - 491 - 2070
10:30am: Opening and Intros
10:45am: Screening Black Gold
12:00 - 12:30pm: Post screening discussion/ Break
12:30pm: Screening Life and Debt
2:00pm: Screening trailer Asparagus: Stalking the American Life
2:05 - 2:45pm: Post screening discussion/ Break
2:45pm: Screening King Corn
4:15pm: Screening short TBA<br>
4:20pm: Post screening discussion
(Use of library space by Nani Ola Productions for this program does not indicate endorsement by the New York Public Library or the Queens Borough Public Library)
Saturday April 19th
Cooper Union's Wollman Auditorium
51 Astor Place at Third Ave
Directions: 6 Train to Astor Place or R and W to 8th St.
12:00pm: Opening and intros
12:30pm: Screening The True Cost of Food
12:45pm: Screening Black Gold
2:00pm: Post screening discussion
2:45 - 3:15pm: Break
3:15pm: Screening Life and Debt
4:45pm: Screening trailer Asparagus: Stalking the American Life
4:50pm: Post screening discussion
5:30 - 6:00pm: Break
6:00pm: Screening The Meatrix I, II and II ½
6:10pm: Screening King Corn
7:45pm: Post screening discussion
Guest speakers and participating organizations to be announced
For more information or to make a donation please go to www.foodfilmfest.com