Wingspan Arts, a not-for-profit organization providing innovative, high-quality arts outreach programs for school-aged children, today announced an inaugural kids film festival featuring movies written, directed and performed by lower and middle school students in the “Lights, Mics, Action!” after-school program. The festival, which will be presented at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater on Saturday, January 8, 2005 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., will feature a retrospective of eight original short films curated by the students.
“The entries in our film festival are completely kid driven; from conception through execution, our students have created extremely sophisticated, intellectual and thoughtful pieces that we’re excited to showcase,” said Gregory Arata, festival producer/developer of “Lights, Mics, Action” program.
“Through the “Lights, Mics, Action!” program our students have walked away with more than just the knowledge of working with the camera, writing a screenplay, and blocking a scene, they’ve developed invaluable leadership skills and confidence that will guide them through their future careers.”
The film festival will begin with a highlight reel of movies currently in production before a screening of the eight selected films. The featured works have been created over four years in past “Lights, Mics, Action!” clubs. Films that have been selected include:
ROTTY NOT (8 min., 30 sec., Narrative Fiction/Political Comedy, 2004) Executives in a greedy corporation marketing toothpaste that rots teeth are protested against by a group of child consumers - with rotting teeth - who will stop at nothing to get justice.
BABY MATRIX (4 min, Variety Show/Comedy, 2003) Rival leather-clad babies engage in an action-packed fight scene, wielding weapons of milk bottles and applesauce, as they battle to save the life of a beloved teddy bear.
3 O’CLOCK (13 min., Narrative Fiction/Suspense, 2002) A sinister note proclaiming, “He’s in the Gym” turns a dodgeball game into the fight for survival, as a team of vigilante children band together to rescue a friend from the school bully.
The event will also feature an awards ceremony where winners, chosen by the audience, will receive Wingspan Arts Butterfly statues. The film that receives the Audience Choice Award will be screened at the Second Annual Arts2Life Benefit at Landmark on the Park on March 14, 2005.
Admission to the film festival is free, with a $10 suggested donation. All proceeds of the event will go towards the “Lights, Mics, Action!” Scholarship fund that will sponsor select program participants throughout the year. Space is limited and RSVP is required. Ticket requests must be received by e-mail protected from spam bots no later than Monday, January 3, 2005.
“New York’s film community is poised to welcome the next generation of influential writers, producers, actors and directors, and we’re thrilled that Wingspan Arts has helped foster the creative contributions depicted in these films!” said Gary Bernstein, founder of Wingspan Arts.
About “Lights, Mics, Action!”
“Lights, Mics, Action!” is one of Wingspan Arts’ exciting arts-enriched clubs. Originally launched in one Gotham school in 2000, it has been expanded to ten programs at various Manhattan, New Rochelle and Jersey City public schools and is also offered during the Wingspan Arts Summer Conservatory. Each club creates original films written, directed and performed by kids. Students develop their film ideas through unique brainstorming techniques, create characters using improvisation, and then write their scripts, shot lists and storyboards. Professional directors, editors, and screenwriters make guest appearances throughout the shoot to lend their expertise and inspire. Participants, who take field trips to various studio and film locations in Manhattan, also learn the basics of editing and piece together their films into finished products ready for screening.
About Wingspan Arts
Wingspan Arts Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides innovative, high-quality arts outreach programs for school-aged children. Programs now include afterschool, in-school, winter and summer conservatory performing arts programs and customized workshops. Wingspan Arts sets itself apart in the world of arts education by engaging professional artist-educators who are inspired by the work they do and have a unique gift for sharing that inspiration with students. Over the past three years, thousands of youngsters have benefited from customized programs that utilize the performing, visual and literary arts to address a variety of relevant developmental areas. Founded by Gary Bernstein, a seasoned arts manager and theatre producer, the organization secured funding in 2004 from the New York City Council, O'Shaughnessey Foundation, and Rush Philanthropic Foundation. Wingspan Arts is headquartered in New York, with programs running throughout Manhattan, Westchester and New Jersey.