Activist artists claim the screen for human rights

Hollywoods Annual ARTIVIST Film Festival arrives in London
7-8 December 2007, Genesis Cinema, Whitechapel

The inaugural UK staging of Hollywoods Annual ARTIVIST Film Festival is taking place 7-8 December 2007 at the Genesis cinema in Whitechapel.

ARTIVIST is the first international film festival and awards dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Environmental Preservation and Animal Advocacy. The ARTIVIST mission is to strengthen the voice of activist artists - Artivists while raising public awareness for social global causes.

The films which will be screened for the London ARTIVIST Film Festival include many UK premiers, and are as follows:

Zeitgest UK Premier (director, Peter Joseph) The eagerly anticipated exposé of the social fallacies that currently plague our true understanding of events, both historical and modern, by critically analyzing common political, religious and economic global events which most have assumed to be true. Q&A session with director Peter Joseph directly after the screening.

Believe UK Premier (director, Synthian Sharp) Short film: "You are not chained to this world so there is no reason to hold back. Say your piece with exactly the same vigor and madness that the world uses to address you. Give the rant and walk away. In short, think, feel and then scream baby!"

Occupation 101 UK Premier (directors, Sufyan Omeish and Abdallah Omeish) - A comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions. Includes rare footage and thought-provoking commentaries. Q&A session with director Sufyan Omeish directly after the screening

Toto Goes Home UK Premier (director, Tim Phillips) Follow the incredible adventures of Toto, a chimpanzee who was sold to a circus as a baby and rescued 20 years later by Animal Defenders International, when he is finally able to embrace a fellow chimpanzee for the first time in over two decades. Q&A session with director Max Green directly after the screening.

Earthlings UK Premier (director, Shaun Monson) An honest study of mankind's complete commercial dependence and disrespect for animals that examines the five principal areas of human interface with animals: daily life at home, nutrition, clothing, entertainment and biomedical research.

Drop into the Ocean (director, Marcos Davalos) Greenpeace International: A succinct and graphic look at the dangers to the world's oceans and its inhabitants created by man through over fishing.

Out of Balance UK Premier (director, Tom Jackson) Given ExxonMobils impact on policy, people and the ecosystem, leading climate scientists and writers point to the actions we all need to take in order to ensure a livable planet for future generations.

Dalai Lama Renaissance (director, Khashyar Darvich) 40 of the Wests leading, most innovative thinkers discuss the worlds problems by the invitation of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. What transpired was unexpected and powerful and was captured by an 18 person, 5 camera film crew. Narrated by actor Harrison Ford

American Drug War: The Last White Hope UK Premier (director, Kevin Booth) - The War on Drugs has become the longest and costliest war in American history. The Last White Hope shows how money, power and greed have corrupted not just the dope fiends but an entire government. More importantly, it shows what can be done about it. Q&A session with director Kevin Booth directly after the screening.

The festival commences 6.00pm Friday 7 December at The Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, E1 4UJ (nearest tubes Stepney Green, Whitechapel and Bethnal Green). The festival concludes with the final screening at 9.00pm on Saturday 8 December.

A number of screenings will be followed by open discussions with the directors and film-makers involved in the productions (see schedule on www.genesiscinema.co.uk for details).

Tickets are available from the Genesis website and by calling 08700 606061. Prices are £6.50 for adults, £3.00 for students, £10.00 for the Zeitgeist premier to include Q&A session with director (the Zeitgeist website is currently receiving 40,000 hits per day) or £20.00 for a weekend pass.

ENDS

Note:
Since its inception in 2004, the ARTIVIST Film Festival has showcased 223 films representing more than 45 countries. ARTIVIST has reached millions of people with its public relations campaign and has received international recognition. Films premiered at the festival have included Academy Award winner "Born Into Brothels", Academy Award Nominee "Super-Size Me", "Fast Food Nation", "Emmanuelle's Gift", and "Trudell".

Last year's ARTIVIST Film Festival highlighted a wide range of social, humanitarian and political issues. Films featured such noted activist-artists as Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Viggo Mortensen, Elton John, Morgan Spurlock, Brett Ratner, Andy Garcia, and many others. This years Hollywood event experienced high attendance selling out for the global premiere of Zietgeist. The festival concluded with the 2007 ARTIVIST awards and included attendance by Hollywood luminaries such as Ted Danson, Sharon Lawrence, Marla Staples, Persia White, Scott Lowell, Debra Skelton, Margaret OBrien, Michelle Stafford and Claes Nobel, senior of the esteemed Nobel Prize family.

ARTIVIST has reached millions of people with its public relations campaign and has received international recognition. In an exciting new development, and in recognition of the socially conscious platform it provides, ARTIVIST has been endorsed by the United Nation's Department of Public Information.

ARTIVIST is a 501c3 nonprofit organisation. All proceeds benefit the Annual ARTIVIST Film Festival, creating a platform for socially conscious "ARTIVISTs" to share their inspirational and informative films with the world.

The company's founders, Diaky Diaz, Dr. Bettina Wolff, and Christopher Riedesel have trained and managed a diverse staff of over 200 volunteers during its four and a half years of production for the Annual ARTIVIST Film Festival & ARTIVIST Awards, and continue to oversee all day-to-day operations. The Board of Directors include acclaimed actors and activists as James Cromwell, actor-director James Haven, and Honorary Board Members Dennis Kucinich, 2008 Presidential Nominee and Congressman, and Senator Barbara Boxer.

The 2007 ARTIVIST Film Festival and ARTIVIST Awards offer extensive sponsorship and partnership opportunities.