Film Festival Scores Victory for Free Speech

Film Festival Scores Victory for Free Speech

One of Oldest Film Festivals in the World wins key Bill of Rights settlement for national artists

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) scored a key victory for free speech and artists' rights by successfully challenging and removing unconstitutional state arts funding restrictions with a federal lawsuit. As one of the oldest film festivals in the world, this Academy Award-qualifying festival is internationally renown as a champion of artists and films that are bold, pioneering and artistically- inspired.

These disputed state restrictions included a ban on funding art that contained "depictions of flag desecration" and "displays of sex acts." Some legislators specifically accused the AAFF of showing films that contained "displays of sex acts" and labeled these films as "pornographic," a charge vehemently denied by the AAFF. The more than 20 filmmakers from around the world, whose work was cited as "offensive" in this national controversy, unanimously supported the AAFF in their stand against censorship.

The new guidelines for arts funding resulting from the AAFF's lawsuit mirror the National Endowment for the Arts guidelines, which have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. These flexible guidelines state that "Artistic excellence and artistic merit are the criteria by which applications will be judged, taking into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the people of this state."

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, one of the AAFF's prominent supporters, shared his thoughts about the lawsuit, "I am thrilled by this decision--it protects us all, even those who might be inclined to limit this great Festival's free expression."

About the Ann Arbor Film Festival

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is an internationally acclaimed forum for the most artistically-inspired independent and experimental films in the world. In 2007 the AAFF received more than 2,000 submissions from more than 30 countries. As the longest-running film festival of its kind in North America and an Academy-Award qualifying festival, the AAFF is steeped in a rich tradition of ground-breaking cinema. Thousands of influential filmmakers have showcased early work at the AAFF, including luminaries such as Kenneth Anger, Agnes Varda, Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, Gus Van Sant, Barbara Hammer, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas. The AAFF is committed to supporting visionary filmmakers, promoting the art of film, and providing its audience with new films that challenge, inspire, innovate and give voice to diverse perspectives. The 46th Ann Arbor Film Festival takes place March 25 - 30, 2008 at the historic Michigan Theater and the State Theater, in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan.

CONTACT:
Christen McArdle, Executive Director
Ann Arbor Film Festival
734-995-5356
pr@aafilmfest.org

www.aafilmfest.org

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Ann Arbor Film Festival

CONTACT: Christen McArdle, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Film Festival,
+1-734-995-5356, pr@aafilmfest.org

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

-------
Profile: intent