Sundance Film Forward to Present Innovations in Social Storytelling Event in Pleasantville, NY March 8

Park City, UT Sundance Institute and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities will host a free public screening of We Are The Giant followed by a guided discussion with Director Greg Barker on March 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY. Following the screening, Barker will be joined by 1979 Revolution creator and video game designer Navid Khonsari and executive producer Vassiliki Khonsari to discuss new mediums for impactful storytelling, explore the theme of revolutionaries and share their motivations behind the creation of their social and political films and games.

Audience members who wish to attend the free screening and demonstration, please RSVP to Lori Zakalik at Lzakalik@burnsfilmcenter.org with your first and last name and the subject line Sundance Film Forward Event.

We Are The Giant transports viewers to the front lines of the Arab Spring and offers a harrowing look at the struggles of ordinary individuals who are transformed by the critical moral and personal challenges they encounter when standing up for what they believe is right. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival

1979 Revolution is an episodic action/adventure game designed to engage players with an immersive on the ground experience of the Iranian Revolution. The game integrates an emotionally impactful narrative with interactive moral choices and intuitive touchscreen gameplay while remaining true to history. It premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Sundance Film Forward, a partnership of Sundance Institute and four U.S. federal cultural agencies, is a touring program designed for 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, religion, ethnicity and borders. This year Sundance Film Forward will also visit: Austin, San Antonio and San Marcos, Texas; Miami, Florida; St. Paul and Northfield, Minnesota; Detroit, Dearborn and Ann Arbor, Michigan; Hong Kong; and an additional international location to be announced.

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. Additional support is provided by Sundance Channel Global.

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 http://www.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 humanities through competitive grant programs. The NEH is the nation's leading supporter of research, education, preservation and public programs in the humanities. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.

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.

The Jacob Burns Center

The Jacob Burns Film Center is a nonprofit cultural arts organization dedicated to: presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema; promoting 21st century literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. Located on a 47,500 sq. foot, three-building campus in the center of Pleasantville, the JBFC is just 30 miles outside of New York City. Since the opening in 2001, over 2 million people have seen over 5,400 films from more than 40-plus countries. The campus inclu

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