Sundance Film Forward Travels to Kolkata, India October 5-8

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 with moderated discussions in Kolkata, India October 5-8 in collaboration with the Documentary Resource Initiative (DRI). The screenings of films and guided discussions will take place at Rabindra Tirtha (HIDCO), Goethe Institute, Kolkata, Jadavpur University and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute.

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 Taipei, Taiwan and 10 American 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 India produced in collaboration with DRI will focus on race and identity, 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. The DRI is devoted to the promotion of artistic and socially relevant documentary through intensive training, mentoring, screenings and critical dialogues with artists. DRI is the host of the annual Asian Forum for Documentary which is an international event attended by filmmakers, foundations and broadcasters looking to explore co-production opportunities. In addition to DRI, Sundance Film Forward will be supported by an event hosted by the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata at the American Center.

Meredith Lavitt, Director of Sundance Film Forward, said, The Sundance Film Forward slate of films explore universal themes that we hope will inspire audiences to look at their community and our world in a new way. We look forward to traveling to India to screen these films in collaboration with the Documentary Resource Initiative and to engage in thoughtful discussions with audiences in Kolkata.

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 India 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 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

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