While movie theaters remain closed due to physical distancing guidelines, ACT Human Rights Film Festival continues to program opportunities for culture and connection. ACT has scheduled two upcoming live broadcasts with filmmakers whose short films were programmed to screen at the 2020 spring festival. During the live broadcast, viewers can contribute questions and comments.
On April 30 at 6:30 p.m., ACT’s managing director Beth Seymour will chat with co-directors Kira Dane and Katelyn Rebelo (MIZUKO). Mizuko means “water child” in Japanese and is used to refer to both miscarried and aborted pregnancies. Narrated by a Japanese American woman, MIZUKO tells the story of her abortion in the U.S. MIZUKO recently won special jury recognition from SXSW 2020. RSVP here for the live-broadcast interview with the directors.
“With everyone at home, we need new ways to celebrate and explore documentary film,” said Seymour. “Our hope is that ACT At Home gives documentary lovers a way to feel connected and deepen their appreciation for human rights films.”
On May 5 at 6:30 p.m. ACT’s virtual filmmaker chats continue with director Addison Wright (HIPLET: BECAUSE WE CAN). Hiplet is a dance movement that fuses classical pointe technique with hip-hop and urban dance styles. The 8-minute film showcases Black gifted ballerinas in both in movement and conversation. Many of the young women discuss the adversity they have battled within the dance community to push a new dance culture forward. HIPLET: BECAUSE WE CAN is Addison’s first short film. RSVP here for the live-broadcast interview with Wright.
Both films are free to watch on Amazon Prime from April 27 to May 6. They are screening alongside 39 other films from the 2020 SXSW festival on Prime Videos Present SXSW. Access is available for anyone who has a free Amazon account. Watch MIZUKO and HIPLET: BECAUSE WE CAN before joining the filmmaker chats.
Both director conversations will be recorded and posted on ACT’s website for later access. As additional ACT At Home events are scheduled, they will be posted at actfilmfest.colostate.edu/at-home/
