Sundance Film Forward Travels to Taiwan September 9-

Park City, UT Sundance Institute and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced today that Sundance Film Forward will host free screenings of acclaimed independent films and moderated discussions with directors in Taiwan September 19-23 in collaboration with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and CNEX.

Sundance Film Forward is a touring program designed for 18 to 24 year olds, students and artists that offers film screenings and discussions to excite and cultivate new audiences for independent film. It uses the power of cinema to promote broader cultural understanding, inspire curiosity and enhance awareness of shared stories and values across generations, religions, ethnicities and borders. The program has visited 10 cities in the last year, including Pleasantville, New York; Austin, San Marcos and San Antonio, Texas; St. Paul, Minneapolis and Northfield, Minnesota; and Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Detroit, Michigan. Sundance Film Forward is an initiative of Sundance Institute and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The program in Taiwan produced in collaboration with AIT and CNEX will focus on the collision of tradition and modernity, beating the odds, and the human experience behind the headlines. Common themes explored in the films include acceptance, overcoming adversity and the transformative power of the arts to heal and bridge differences. CNEX is an organization devoted to the production and promotion of Chinese documentaries and facilitates cultural exchange through supporting documentaries depicting contemporary Chinese people, lives and society. AIT is a non-profit, private corporation set up to support the continuation of commercial and cultural relations between the United States and Taiwan. This will be the third year Sundance Film Forward, AIT and CNEX collaborate in Taiwan to present Film Forward films and discussions.

Sundance Film Forward will also participate in the 2015 Taipei Documentary Film Festival

September 18 - September 27, 2015, with the following Film Forward films: Little White Lie, The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz; and We Are The Giant. Director Lacey Schwartz will be in attendance for a guided discussion. The third edition of Taipei Documentary Film Festival will showcase the perseverance of people from around the world in the face of adversity.

Meredith Lavitt, Director of Sundance Film Forward, said, Independent film illuminates different ways of thinking and brings about understanding of new cultures. We look forward to traveling to Taiwan with a thought-provoking slate of films and incredible filmmakers to inspire a dynamic exchange of ideas.

Rachel Goslins, Executive Director of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Being able to bring these filmmakers to engage audiences around the world is one of the most exciting things about Sundance Film Forward. Through film, personal stories are made universal and universal issues become personal, bringing filmmakers and audiences together in a global conversation.

For more information on Sundance Film Forward events in Taiwan and the films visit: sundance.org/FilmForward.

Sundance Institute

Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institutes signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Sundance Film Forward Federal Partners

The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) bridges the interests of American federal agencies and the private sector, supports special projects that increase participation and excellence in the arts and humanities, and helps incorporate these disciplines into White House objectives. First Lady Michelle Obama is the Honorary Chairman of the PCAH.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nations 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. The agency's grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit imls.gov and follow @US_IMLS on Twitter and on Facebook.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov, follow us on Twitter @NEAarts or like us on Facebook.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), an independent federal agency, provides support for documentary films, digital media and other educational programs in the

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