Filmmakers Of Color United in Spirit would like to invite you to attend the graduation event for the young artists of ‘Project: FOCUS’!

Come celebrate the accomplishments of the inaugural class of the young artists of Project: FOCUS by commemorating their graduation from the six-week film bootcamp and the completion of two short films, written, directed, and shot by the students under the advisory of Columbia University M.F.A film mentors. Event is open to all.

When: Sunday April 29th, 1-3pm

Where: Dodge Hall on the Columbia Campus, Rm. 511

What is Project: FOCUS?

Project: FOCUS is a film bootcamp for New York City high school students who are interested in filmmaking. It offered six young artists an opportunity to learn about the craft of storytelling at one of the top institutions in the world. They were instructed and mentored by students in Columbia’s MFA film program and required to make films which will premiere at this event.

Once a professor in the film program and now an Oscar winner, Geoffrey
Fletcher is coming back to Columbia this Friday at 2 PM (room 511) to
lecture and answer students’ questions about his process of adapting
the “Push” novel and writing an award-winning screenplay. This is a
part of the Carla Kuhn series and an educational outreach program of
the Academy.

8PM: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - MILLER THEATRE

2960 Broadway at 116th St. NY, NY. 10027

LIMITED FREE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE – RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW! http://ARTIVIST-NYC2.eventbrite.com

Join us for an exciting evening of inspirational films, panel discussions, and the Honoring of Artist-Activist “Artivist” Sonia Sanchez. Tonight’s film program includes the Award Winnings Shorts: “Bid’Em In” Directed by Neal Sopata, and “Umoja Directed by Elizabeth Tadic; followed by a special screening of “SONIA SANCHEZ: SHAKE LOOSE MEMORIES”, a musical and poetic journey through the life, art and activism of Sonia Sanchez, Directed by Jamal Joseph.

She is Sonia Sanchez. A poetry icon, professor emeritus at Temple University, co founder of the Black Arts Movement, pioneer of the Black studies program at San Francisco State, and tireless fighter for human rights. She is a stuttering child from Alabama, abused step-daughter from Harlem, single mother struggling to raise her children, artist revolutionary battling oppression on all fronts. Sonia’s poetry, performance and reflections weave together to create a moving “cine poem.”

“Shake Loose Memories” celebrates the work of Ms. Sanchez as a poet and activist. The film is anchored around interviews

with Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, her family, and two live performances of “The “Full Moon of Sonia,” a ground breaking eclectic mix of spoken word, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and blues celebrating her life and work of a cultural icon. Sonia Sanchez’ influence is far-reaching and wide ranging and can be heard in such artists as Mos Def, Jill Scott, and Talib Kweli, to name a few. She is a beacon of the Black Arts Movement.

FILM PROGRAM INCLUDES:

“SHAKE LOOSE MEMORIES”

Director-Producer: Jamal Joseph. Executive Producer: Voza Rivers. Producer: Rachel Watanabe-Batton A Documentary Cine Poem Featuring Amiri Baraka, Toshi Regan,T.C. Carson, Oscar Brown, Jr.

“BID EM’ IN”

followed by Q+A with Director, Rashad Ernesto Green

When: Monday, October 31st, 6:00 pm

Where: Columbia University, Dodge Hall, Lifetime Screening Room (Broadway at 116th Street)

An ex-con returns home to the Bronx after three year in prison to discover

his wife estranged and his teenage son exploring a sexual transformation

that will put the fragile bonds of their family to the test.

Watch the Trailer:

http://www.gunhillroad.com/trailer

Stay up to date with FOCUS. We will be fielding ideas, opening the floor for your input and discussing the next steps for our upcoming high school outreach program, Project: FOCUS.

Find out how you can get involved!

Let us know what FOCUS can do to help you!

Time: 5pm-6pm

Date:  Thursday October 20th

Where: Dodge Hall Rm. 513F

Be there!

Screening followed by Q+A with Director, Steve James

When: Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 pm
Where: Columbia University School of the Arts Miller Theatre: 2960 Broadway at 116th Street

From acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams,The New Americans) and bestselling author AlexKotlowitz,  The Interrupters tells the moving stories of three Violence Interrupters from the non-violence group, CeaseFire, who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed.

Watch the Trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1776524313/

This event is being co-sponsored by:

The Institute for the Study of Human Rights, Social Justice, Initiatives Columbia Law School & SIPA Human Rights Concentration

This is your chance to meet the 2011-2012 fellows along with members old and new. Let’s get the year started the right way. We will be fielding ideas, opening the floor for your input and discussing the next steps for our upcoming high school outreach program.

Time: 1pm-2pm

Date:  Friday September 16th

Where: Dodge Hall Rm. 508

Be there!

The Time: Thursday, September 1st at 6pm

The Place: The Columbia campus in Dodge Hall in Rm. 511

Seating for the event is first come first served, so please be early if possible!

All students are welcome!

Check out the trailer at: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3307641881/

Time: 1pm-2pm

Date:  Friday 02/25

Where: Jamal’s Office!!

1 P.M. In the Chair’s office.

Filmmakers of Color United in Spirit invites you to our first general meeting, this Friday at 1 P.M.

Filmmakers of Color United in Spirit is a multicultural organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of filmmakers and film scholars of color within Columbia University, networking with alumni and the film industry at large.

We are really excited to get to know all of our new members and hear your thoughts and opinions on the semester so far! We also want to discuss future events, projects, and volunteer opportunities.

http://columbiafocus.org/

Hope to see you there!

Tony, Gilbert & Lakshmi