Jackson Hole Film Festival Takes Global Stage

Jackson Hole Film Festival Takes Global Stage

4th Annual Event Screens More Than 90 Films from 20 Countries and Partners with Humpty Dumpty Institute to Explore Global Issues with Visiting U.N. Ambassadors, Iranian Filmmakers, and International Policy Experts

JACKSON, Wyo., May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- With its 4th Annual Jackson Hole Film Festival taking place June 7-11, 2007, the Jackson Hole Film Institute, a nonprofit organization that empowers independent filmmakers and global audiences through film and new media, is creating a stage for world leaders, filmmakers and audiences to explore global and humanitarian issues by screening 90 films representing more than 20 countries and enhancing its Global Insight Program. By teaming up with the Humpty Dumpty Institute, a New York NGO that builds innovative public-private partnerships to help solve complex global issues, the Festival's Global Insight Program aims to increase awareness about humanitarian issues around the world and explore how filmmakers can help provide solutions.

The Festival will bring together filmmakers, international policy experts, journalists and business leaders to explore how the use of film and new media can spotlight solutions to specific humanitarian problems. This year, the Festival's Global Insight Program will host a delegation of United Nations Ambassadors, convene an unprecedented summit between Iranian and U.S. filmmakers, and showcase two humanitarian forums co-hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"When we set out to create the Jackson Hole Film Festival we wanted to do something that would make a difference not only for the audiences and filmmakers who attend, but would actively ignite change for the people who represent the stories behind the films we've seen and will see," said Eben Dorros, president and chairman, Jackson Hole Film Institute, presenter of the Jackson Hole Film Festival.

In an extraordinary display of public diplomacy, a group of 16 Iranian filmmakers tops the list of international visitors to the Jackson Hole Film Festival. The Humpty Dumpty Institute has arranged for the Iranian filmmakers to attend the Festival's Global Insight Program at which they will discuss documentary filmmaking in a special summit with their American counterparts. In addition, U.N. diplomats from Pakistan, South Korea, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal will round out the international VIP list.

"Global problems require global solutions and the Jackson Hole Film Festival is emphasizing this important message at exactly the right time. Showcasing films that expose tragic humanitarian conditions around the world is an extraordinarily powerful way to raise the level of activism to find practical solutions. The addition of thoughtful discourse by U.N. leaders and policy experts raises the bar even higher, making the Jackson Hole Film Festival truly unique," said Ralph Cwerman, president and co-founder of the Humpty Dumpty Institute.

Two unique forums, co-sponsored by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, will also take place on June 9, 2007. CNN Anchor Jim Clancy will moderate the first forum on Human Trafficking. Participants include: Robert Bilheimer, Oscar nominated film producer; Antonio Maria Costa, head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime; and Shakira Parveen, whose tragic story has attracted worldwide attention. The second forum, Importance of Education for Girls in the Developing World will be moderated by Patricia Harrison, president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Participants include: Lisa Alter, President of Girls Learn International; Tanian Monie, Cambodian activist; Jessica Neuwirth, President of Equality Now; and Melanne Verveer, president of Vital Voices Global Partnership.

This year, the Jackson Hole Film Festival will screen works representing more than 20 countries including: Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Cuba, France, Germany, Guinea, Hong Kong, Israel (Gaza), Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and Zambia.

About The Institute

Jackson Hole Film Institute, presenter of the Jackson Hole Film Festival, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower independent filmmakers and global audiences through film and new media.

The 4th Annual Jackson Hole Film Festival will take place June 7-11, 2007, and will screen approximately 90 independent films competing in 7 program categories including; Independent Features, Independent Shorts, Documentaries, World Program: Spotlight Far East, Global Insight Program, Sports Action and Student Voices. Representing more than 20 countries, the Festival is committed to creating a platform for global inspiration and change. In presenting the Festival, the Institute has aligned with InStyle Magazine, America Express, Subaru, Coty Inc., Redwood Creek, Anheuser-Busch, Wexler Corporation, Tommy Bahama and Bresnan Communications.

Together with the Humpty Dumpty Institute (http://www.hdi.org/), the Jackson Hole Film Festival hosts the Global Insight Program, an international summit where business, film and humanitarian leaders come together to explore how new media technology and film can address global humanitarian issues on a grander scale. Offering advisory support to the Global Insight Program are WITNESS, IRINnews.org and FilmAid International.

For more information on the Jackson Hole Film Festival or to purchase festival passes visit http://www.jacksonholefilmfestival.org/.

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Source: Jackson Hole Film Institute

CONTACT: Paula Cavagnaro of Antenna Group, +1-415-977-1915,
paula@antennagroup.com, for Jackson Hole Film Institute

Web site: http://www.jacksonholefilmfestival.org/

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