The ACT Human Rights Film Festival is hosting a series of free virtual “ACT At Home” events that will let community members view films from home and then watch and participate in live online discussions with special guests.
In this time of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, ACT At Home is intended to keep conversations around human rights and social justice going. Just like any ACT event, the programs will feature the opportunity to connect with one another or filmmakers, activists and other experts.
The first event, being held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, features a chat with filmmaker Amy Bench, discussing her award-winning short film A Line Birds Cannot See. The film is an intimate look at one immigrant’s journey from Guatemala to the United States. A Line Birds Cannot See is an official selection of ACT’s 2020 festival.
About Bench
Bench is a cinematographer whose work has screened at festivals that include Berlin, SXSW, Sundance and the New York Film Festival. Before film school, she was a mechanical engineer. A Line Birds Cannot See premiered at SXSW’s 2019 festival.
The film can be viewed online for free. A link to join the conversation with Bench will be sent to those who RSVP. Space is limited.
Plus, in the Call to ACT portion of the program, participants can learn more about Denver’s Latina SafeHouse. Executive Director Angela Ceseña will join the conversation to talk about their work to provide bilingual and culturally sensitive services to Latinx survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Bettye Saar
April 22 event
A second event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, will feature a chat with producer Erin Wright. Her recent short documentary Betye Saar: Taking Care of Business is a portrait of 93-year-old artist and activist Betye Saar. The film debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and is an official selection of the 2020 ACT Film Festival.
Wright is commissioning editor and producer of LACMA Productions and director of artist initiatives at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She has 30 years of experience in the art world that has culminated in producing documentaries about artists and art that have screened at Sundance, SXSW, AFI Docs and many other festivals.
Watch the film online for free, and on April 22 join ACT for a conversation with Wright. A link to join the conversation with Bench will be sent to those who RSVP. Space is limited.
As additional ACT At Home events are scheduled, they will be posted at actfilmfest.colostate.edu/at-home/
