All Roads Film Project Blog

All Roads Film Festival 2008 Wraps in Santa Fe

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:10:05 -0500

The 2008 All Roads Film Festival officially came to a close after a fabulous run in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The addition of three new films, "River of No Return" (Darlene Johnson), "The Lost Melodies" (Ali Reza Ghasemkhan), and "Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere" (Simon Marler) rounded out the diverse collection of global works presented at this year's festival. "Welcome to Ernumino" (Aleksei Vakhrushev) was awarded "Best Indigenous Film" as part of the Santa Fe Film Festival's 2008 Milagro Awards Presentation

Stay tuned for exciting news about 2009!

(Photograph by Lynda Carfagno)

War Child Continues Successful Run

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:42:15 -0500

Since its world premiere on the festival circuit in February, C. Karim Chrobog's War Child has received numerous awards and critical accolades from Bologna to New York. The film is an inspirational portrait of London based hip-hop artist Emmanuel Jal, a former Sudanese child soldier that has been able to create a new life for himself through music. In 2006, as the featured musical performer at the All Roads Film Festival, Jal moved audiences from L.A. to D.C. Footage captured from his D.C. performance at National Geographic Headquarters actually made it into the final cut of the film, providing a glimpse into the physical presence and lyrical skills of this talented artist.

The film is currently screening in Washington D.C. at Landmark's E. Street Cinema.

Opportunity for Native American Filmmakers

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:29:38 -0500

The Sundance Institute's Native American Program is seeking emerging Native American filmmakers to apply for its 2009 class of Sundance Institute - Ford Foundation Film Fellowship. The Native Program is looking for compelling, original, independent feature screenplays, short film screenplays, and documentary treatments by Native American writer/directors. The Workshop is structured to support filmmakers who are still creatively engaged in the early stages of a project and are at the point where they would welcome and benefit from feedback and discussion about their work. Filmmakers are accepted into the program to work on the specific project with which they apply.

09 Fellowship application (2) (2).doc

All Roads in Santa Fe: Programming Update

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:44:19 -0500

As the All Roads Film Festival gets underway in Santa Fe, New Mexico please note the following programming changes:

Tehran Has No More Pomegranates has been added to tonight's schedule with a 6:15 screening at DeVargas 3.

Sikumi will screen at the New Mexico Film Museum Friday, December 5@5:45pm and at Sunday, December 7@10:15am.

Tale of the Geological Shake Up, from the "Kid's Stories" series will screen with River of No Return on Thursday, December 4@10:00am and Sunday, December 7@5:45pm.

Tonight!!! NG Fellow REZA Celebrates the Release of his 30 Year Retrospective

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:08:54 -0500

Tonight, National Geographic Fellow Reza, a distinguished photographer and renowned humanitarian, will unveil his latest work: "REZA War + Peace: A Photographers Journey," with a launch event at NG Headquarters in Washington D.C. The book is a 30 year retrospective that chronicles his remarkable journey to places of conflict through exquisite images that uniquely capture turmoil, hope, joy and despair. This evening's special event will feature an engaging discussion with Reza and best-selling author Sebastian Junger, who wrote the book's introduction. Check out NG Live for tickets and more information.

Exploring New Solutions to Address Urgent Challenges

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:17:39 -0500

The image of an isolated polar bear drifting away on a runaway ice shelf has reached many hearts as a touching reminder of the urgent challenges facing our planet as a result of climate change. Tragically, the polar bear is not the only species under an imminent threat. Films such as Time & Tide, which screened as part of the All Roads Film Festival in 2006, and explorers such as Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey have placed a human face on the crises by identifying threatened islands and their populations as the "canaries in the coal mine" for the consequences of climate change. Suggesting perhaps more symbolism than substance, the entire population (est. 12,000) of the island nation of Tuvalu recently applied for asylum in Australia. While their request was officially denied, government officials are now exploring the idea of a new visa category to "cover climate change refugees." The Maldives, a nation of 1200 islands whose highest point is 2.3 meters above sea level is exploring a different tact to relocate their population of 370,000, purchasing new land. In this global real-estate market that is currently tending favorable towards buyers, Prime Minister Mohamed Nasheed has proposed setting aside the country's tourism revenues to literally buy a new homeland. The cultural implications for relocating an entire population into another sovereign nation in one fell swoop are dramatically enormous.

Evo Morales Addresses Packed House at American University

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:32:10 -0500

Last night before an overflow crowd at American University in Washington D.C., Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia addressed a packed house of academics, students, policy makers and diplomats. Morales, subject of the film Cocalero that was featured in the 2007 All Roads Film Festival, was both pensive and visionary in his 75 minute speech where he reflected upon his amazing journey to Bolivia's highest office and outlined his ideas for the future. Amidst strained diplomatic relations with the U.S., it must have been encouraging for him to see the scores of students that lined across campus in anticipation to hear his address. Due to security reasons, more were turned away than were let in to see the speech, whether in the 300 seat auditorium or the overflow room that transmitted a live video feed.

Mâori Film Showcase at NG Headquarters

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:45:05 -0500

Join us for a selection of films by Mâori filmmakers exploring and celebrating the indigenous culture of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Saturday November 1, 2008 at 12pm.

12 p.m. - Short Films
Hawaikii (2006, 11 min)
The heartwarming story of a Māori girl's first day of school. Directed by Mike Jonathan.

Two Cars, One Night (2003, 12 min)
This humorous and charming film about first love between two Māori children was an Oscar nominee for Best Live Action Short Film in 2005. Directed by Taika Waititi

Taua: War Party (2007, 15 min)
Winner of Best Short Film in the 2007 National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival, Taua is a sensory-rich journey through the ancient Māori forest, where an act of compassion speaks to the true value of leadership. Directed by Tearepa Kahi

Tama Tu (2005, 17 min)
An award-winning short film in Berlin and Stockholm's International Film Festivals and recipient of honorable mention at Sundance, Tama Tu depicts soldiers of the Māori Battalion as they take a brief break from fighting during World War II. Directed by Taika Waititi

1 p.m. - Guarding the Family Silver
Guarding the Family Silver (2005, 46 min)
A look at the appropriation of traditional Māori symbols, images, and words in the global marketplace. Directed by Toby Mills and Moana Maniapoto.

All Roads Musings from Hollywood

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:13:44 -0500

The 2008 All Roads Film Festival arrived in Hollywood, CA providing a refreshing glimpse into our planet's many cultural treasures amidst the staid breeze of uncertainty that had settled within the west coast valley. As K'NAAN's "Smile" oozed from the stage and into the LA night, a sense of positive vibrations seemed to sweep the prudence one faces when encountering a new discovery. According to All Roads Film Project director, Francene Blythe, "All Roads is place to travel around the world without going too far awary from home." She officially opened the festival reflecting upon the pillars that set the 5th year into being.

"Images & Stories: A New Generation" provides the thematic centerpiece for the film and photography showcased throughout the 2008 festival. With 29 dynamic films and 4 captivating photography exhibits collectively representing 20 cultures from 15 countries, the LA launch provided the broad strokes of a vast cultural landscape of past traditions, contemporary stories and new ideas. Stand out films and programs included, The Linguists, which chronicles a whirlwind expedition of Enduring Voices, a National Geographic initiative, that seeks to document endangered languages before the last fluent speaker dies. Two of the film's principals, lead researcher David Harrison and Johnny Hill Jr., one of last fluent speakers of Chemehuevi, were on hand to provide greater depth into the film's back-story and revitalization efforts, an omnipresent theme addressed throughout the festival. Last night, All Roads hosted a pre-festival event at the Mexican Cultural Institute showcasing the revitalization of the son music tradition along the Tesechoacán.River in the state of Veracruz, Mexico Persian Portraits was also a refreshing surprise. Programmed by Iran's Documentary Experimental Film Center as a cultural bridge through film, the program's five dynamic films portray a wide range of thematic ideas and emotions through the eyes of contemporary Iranian society. The festival also served host to three All Roads Seed Grantees making their North American and World Premieres respectfully, Welcome to Ernurmino!, What Was Promised and Keao.

All Roads Arrives in DC with a pre-festival Event!

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:51:23 -0500

Soneros.tifFollowing on the heels of a Hollywood launch, the 2008 All Roads Film Festival lands in Washington D.C. with a special, pre-festival event TONIGHT at The Mexican Cultural Institute@7pm. Join the celebration of "Images & Stories: A New Generation," with the Washington D.C. premiere of Soneros Del Tesechoacan followed by a reception and live music by Semilla Collective.

The Mexican Cultural Institute is located at 2829 16th Street N.W. Washington D.C.

Sounds, Images and Stories from across the globe

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:31:58 -0500

Arriving from points across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East, the artists taking part in the 2008 All Roads Film Festival have gathered to share their stories with each other and the world. After a riveting launch event showcasing 2008 Emerging Explorers 4Real (Sol Guy and Josh Thome), a retrospective of the All Roads' first 5 years and the Somali hip-hop grooves of K'NAAN, the films took center stage with Under the Bombs.

2008 All Roads Film Festival has Arrived!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:40:20 -0500

The 2008 All Roads Film Festival is now underway following an exciting night highlighted by the smooth hip-hop stylings of K'NAAN.

2008 All Roads Film Festival Trailer is going live!!!...sooon

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:57:53 -0500

The Return of Navajo Boy: Screening & Discussion

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:47:06 -0500

After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000, The Return of Navajo Boy has gone on to air on TV stations internationally, igniting a series of events resulting in the launch of a federal investigation of uranium houses and the U.S. Dept. of Justice paying out a $100,000 compensation check to a former uranium miner. Filmgoers in the Washington D.C. area will have the opportunity to see the the film with a new epilogue following one determined grandmother's ongoing struggle for environmental justice in the Navajo Nation. Join the conversation on September 25@6pm at Georgetown University, 600 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington D.C./Gewirz 12 floor.

For more information call: 773-771-7697

All Roads is on the road with Aotearoa Film Festival

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:11:34 -0500

Film Festival Poster Master.pdf
The 2008 Aotearoa Film Festival is set to launch August 24 with an impressive line-up of films and their creators touring communities throughout the south pacific islands. This traveling showcase is a celebration of indigenous films and filmmakers with the aim of developing a synergy of creativity and accessibility through the presentation of daytime workshops and special film screenings. All Roads Film Project Director Francene Blythe will join industry stalwarts Mireta Mita and Bird Runningwater to lead the delegation running through September 5.