TOWF Awards First Ever Anniversary Grant to Andrea Kalin

The Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation of Greater Washington, dedicated to supporting programs focused on effecting social change for women and girls, has selected Andrea Kalin to be the recipient of their first ever Anniversary Grant in recognition of their five years of grant-making.

Here are the kind words from TOWF: "We are thrilled to honor Andrea Kalin and Spark Media. We wanted to award an organization that brings our vision of social change for women and girls to fruition. We cannot think of anyone more deserving the award. Kalin's body of work exemplifies our goals for the Anniversary Grant. She produces films that inform and inspire audiences to promote change that contributes to a healthier and stronger society."

Wine, Women and Film: Social Change Through Cinema

Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation is sponsoring a fantastic event next week called "Wine, Women and Film: Social Change Through Cinema." It sounds like it will be a fantastic event - the guest speaker is Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. We'll be there! You should come out and join us.

WHEN: November 29, 2010 7:00 pm

WHERE: Round House Theater, 4545 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD

TICKETS: Click here for tickets.

DESCRIPTION: From the TOWF website:

When was the last time you watched a great movie? What made it great? Did it make you feel and think, or make you act? On Monday, November 29, Hollywood producer Jane Rosenthal will be showing clips from films that inspire and educate us in a way that only film can. As co-founder with Robert DeNiro of the Tribeca Film Festival, which was established to revitalize lower Manhattan after 9/11, this leading philanthropist will share her insights about the power of film to transport and transform us. But more importantly, Jane will show us films that entertain while increasing our understanding of an issue, and motivating us to action.

It's an evening of visual storytelling. The program honors the 5th Anniversary of the Tikkun Olam Women's Foundation (TOWF), dedicated to creating social change for women and girls. In its five years, TOWF has awarded close to $300,000 to a wide range of transformative organizations, locally and in Israel. With TOWF grants, immigrant teens are being trained to budget and cook healthful meals, then teach their mothers their new skills; young Jewish women are learning that abusive relationships are not about love; Orthodox girls are increasing their participation and sense of belonging in synagogue; and women in Israel are seeking legal equality. TOWF invests in programs that have a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls. When that is achieved, families and communities are transformed.

Come see how films can change our communities and the world!

Miami Screening Tonight!

Just a reminder to all our friends in the Miami area, Soul of a People: Writing America's Story screens tonight at the Miami Book Fair International!

The legendary folklorist, social activist, and Writers' Project alumni Stetson Kennedy will attend the screening and speak to the audience following the movie. This is sure to be a special event; we hope you can make it!!

Here is the more detailed info:

LOCATION:
Miami Dade College
Wolfson Center
300 NE Second Avenue
Building 1; 2nd Floor
Room 1261 (Auditorium)

TIME:
6 pm

NEED MORE INFO?
http://bit.ly/ay5j1h

Join Us For An Evening of Laughter!!

Events at the Gallery!

Allah Made Me Funny is screening tonight at the Pueblo Viejo International Art Gallery in Washington D.C. Director Andrea Kalin will be introducing the film and will lead a discussion afterward.

This landmark concert film follows three acclaimed comedians on stage and off as they lift the veil to reveal the humorous truth of what it's really like to be Muslim in America.

Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, and Preacher Moss poke fun at themselves, their communities, government, human nature and the tricky predicament of living in post-9/11 America.

Featuring music of rising indie scene artists, Allah Made Me Funny: Live in Concert is rollicking good fun and gives people of all cultural backgrounds an opportunity to laugh hard, drop their guard, and open their minds.

The screening is part of The Sound of Peace Art Show ("Palestinian, Israeli and U.S. Artists Painting Hope"), which includes the art of Shela Qamer, Huda Totonji, Liat Weiler, Arlene Cooper, and more...

We hope to see you there!

WHEN:
November 16. Reception at 6:30 pm and Screening at 7:00 pm

WHERE:
Pueblo Viejo International Art Gallery
3103 Mt. Pleasant St. NW (corner of Irving & Mt. Pleasant)
First Floor
Washington DC 20009
(202) 328-4480

PRICE:
Suggested donation of $5. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Parents Circle Family Forum. To learn more about their work, Click Here.

Spark Media at the TIVA Peer Awards

Spark Media wins 9 at the TIVA Peer Awards

Exciting news this weekend. Spark Media won nine awards at Saturday's TIVA Peer Awards. This is a true honor since the awards are given by our fellow filmmakers. To be given such recognition from our peers made this an incredibly moving and meaningful event for us.

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story won the "Best of D.C." Award, Gold Peer Awards for Scriptwriting (David A. Taylor, Olive Emma Bucklin, and Andrea Kalin), Audio Mixing (Joe Powers) and Music (Joseph Vitarelli and Wall Matthews), as well as a Silver Award for Best Documentary.

Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways won the Bronze Peer Award for Best Documentary.

Partners of the Heart, Spark Media's first feature length documentary, won a Gold Award in the new Classics category.

Game On, a short financial planning film produced for the NFLPA, won the Bronze Award for Best Education/Training Video.

Export Compliance and Customs Awareness also won a Bronze Award for Best Education/Training Video.

For more information about the TIVA Peer Awards, please click here.

Soul of a People at the Miami Book Fair

Soul of a People: Writing America's Story will be screened at the prestigious Miami Book Fair International next Wednesday, November 17th at 6 pm.

The legendary folklorist, social activist, and Writers' Project alumni Stetson Kennedy will attend the screening and speak to the audience following the movie. This sounds like a fun event. If you live near Miami, we encourage you to come out and see the film!

Here is the more detailed info:

LOCATION: Miami Dade College
Wolfson Center
300 NE Second Avenue
Building 1; 2nd Floor
Room 1261 (Auditorium)

TIME: 6 pm

NEED MORE INFO? http://bit.ly/ay5j1h