Student film festival focuses on peace, social justice

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/romeo.jpg” caption=”Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dalliare is the first of five films to be screened at McMaster’s Peace Film Festival.”]A journey through war-torn Rwanda with Canadian Lt-General Romeo Dallaire; a walk through Tibetian monasteries; a visit to the 'Ground Zeros' of the planet — these are just some of the expeditions taken in the five films to be screened at McMaster's first annual Peace Film Festival March 2-6.

Origanized by students with McMaster's Peace and Conflict Studies Society (PACSS), the festival, called Projecting Peace, will take place at the Sky Dragon Centre and other venues in Hamilton.

Several notable guests will be in attendance including two award winning film directors: Peter Raymont (Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire) and Avi Lewis (The Take).

The aim of the festival is to inspire, inform and incite community members into reflection and non-violent democratic action, says Jeff Santa Barbara, a member of PACSS. “We want to use the power and appeal of film to promote reflection on issues of social justice and responsible change,” he says. “Projecting Peace will showcase films that feature themes of peace and healthy approaches to conflict, which inform an audience about various social justice issues.”

The films appeal to the diverse communities found at McMaster and in the greater Hamilton area, he adds. Some of these films feature themes that deal with the horrific consequences of conflict. The subject matter will excite and inspire viewers, and it is these powerful responses that will be channeled into passionate discussion with featured directors and panelists after the films. Panel members include Gerry Caplan, University of Toronto, Brian Given, Carleton University and Graeme MacQueen, McMaster University.

All film screenings will begin at 7 p.m., with panel discussions to follow.

The line-up of award winning films include:

March 2: Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dalliare (producer/director Peter Raymont will be in attendance)
March 3: Devotion and Defiance: Buddhism and the Struggle for Religious Freedom in Tibet
March 4: Seeing is Believing
March 5: The Take (producer/director Avi Lewis will be in attendance)
March 5: Scared Sacred

For film locations, click here.

An opening night gala will take place on March 2 in the Ewart Angus Centre, Rm. 1A6 at 6:30 p.m. with cultural festivities that include dancing, poetry and free food.

For more information visit: http://www.pacss.ca

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/romeo.jpg" caption="<i>Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dalliare</i> is the first of five films to be screened at McMaster's Peace Film Festival."]A journey through war-torn Rwanda with Canadian Lt-General Romeo Dallaire; a walk through Tibetian monasteries; a visit to the &#039;Ground Zeros&#039; of the planet -- these are just some of the expeditions taken in the five films to be screened at McMaster&#039;s first annual Peace Film Festival March 2-6.<p><br />
<br />
Origanized by students with McMaster&#039;s Peace and Conflict Studies Society (PACSS), the festival, called Projecting Peace, will take place at the Sky Dragon Centre and other venues in Hamilton.<p>  <br />
<br />
Several notable guests will be in attendance including two award winning film directors: Peter Raymont (<i>Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire</i>) and Avi Lewis (<i>The Take</i>).<p><br />
<br />
The aim of the festival is to inspire, inform and incite community members into reflection and non-violent democratic action, says Jeff Santa Barbara, a member of PACSS. "We want to use the power and appeal of film to promote reflection on issues of social justice and responsible change," he says. "Projecting Peace will showcase films that feature themes of peace and healthy approaches to conflict, which inform an audience about various social justice issues."<p><br />
<br />
The films appeal to the diverse communities found at McMaster and in the greater Hamilton area, he adds.  Some of these films feature themes that deal with the horrific consequences of conflict.  The subject matter will excite and inspire viewers, and it is these powerful responses that will be channeled into passionate discussion with featured directors and panelists after the films.  Panel members include Gerry Caplan, University of Toronto, Brian Given, Carleton University and Graeme MacQueen, McMaster University.<p><br />
<br />
All film screenings will begin at 7 p.m., with panel discussions to follow.<p><br />
<br />
The line-up of award winning films include:<ul><br />
<br />
<li><b>March 2:</b> <i>Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dalliare</i> (producer/director Peter Raymont will be in attendance)</li><br />
<br />
<li><b>March 3:</b> <i>Devotion and Defiance: Buddhism and the Struggle for Religious Freedom in Tibet</i></li> <br />
<br />
<li><b>March 4:</b> <i>Seeing is Believing</i></li><br />
<br />
<li><b>March 5:</b> <i>The Take</i> (producer/director Avi Lewis will be in attendance)</li><br />
<br />
<li><b>March 5:</b> Scared Sacred</li></ul><br />
<br />
For film locations, <a href="http://www.pacss.ca/venues.php">click here</a>.<p><br />
<br />
An opening night gala will take place on March 2 in the Ewart Angus Centre, Rm. 1A6 at 6:30 p.m. with cultural festivities that include dancing, poetry and free food.<p><br />
<br />
For more information visit: <a href="http://www.pacss.ca">http://www.pacss.ca</a>

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