NEWS
from
Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the
Association of American Colleges & Universities
Media contact:
Bart Fisher,
Associate
Director of
Marketing and Communications
(860) 832-1624;
Fisherb@ccsu.edu
CCSU, New Britain Museum of American Art
Collaborating on
Latino Film Festival
NEW BRITAIN –
April 23, 2008 – Central Connecticut State
University’s Center for Caribbean and Latin
American Studies is collaborating with the New
Britain Museum of American Art to present a
short film festival featuring the works of
independent Latino film makers. The three-day
event is scheduled to take place April 25-27
with screenings on the CCSU campus and at the
recently expanded museum, located at 56
Lexington Street.
A reception at the Center for Caribbean and
Latin American Studies on the second floor of
CCSU’s Elihu Burritt Library is scheduled to
kickoff the festival, starting at 3 p.m. on the
25th.
On Saturday,
screenings will be held at the Museum beginning
at 1 p.m. Room 105 of the Robert C. Vance
Academic Center at CCSU will serve as Sunday’s
film venue.
"We're actually
riding a wave of Latino films. A lot of people
are interested in Latino films," Central
Connecticut State University associate professor
of Psychology and festival organizer Moises
Salinas recently told a Hartford arts reporter.
"A number of important films have been made in
the last few years by Latin American directors
and Spanish directors."
Titled
“Contribuciones 2008,” the first of its kind
local juried cinema event is aimed both at
nurturing and encouraging Latin artists and
introducing the Latin film-making culture to
local audiences. "We try to support Latinos in
different areas of creative activities. At the
same time, we wanted to bring Latino culture to
central Connecticut," Salinas said.
In all 18 films,
depicting what Salinas calls “the rich and
deeply nuanced variety of the Latino experience”
will be shown. Filmmakers will be competing for
the $1,000.00 top prize. The second place
finisher will receive $500.00. A five-judge
panel including CCSU Assistant Professor of
English Burlin Barr and CCSU Associate Professor
of Communication Karen Ritzenhoff will comprise
the jury. To be as inclusive as possible
festival organizers accepted short films in both
digital and analog formats and in all genres.
“The Festival for
the New Latin American Independent Film
Directors “Contribuciones” is committed to
exploring the contributions and impact of
Latinos in the United States and New England
area,” Salinas said. The Festival website adds,
“The Center for Caribbean and Latin American
Studies at Central Connecticut State University
and the New Britain Museum of American Art
believe that the Festival will be
a platform for further cultural
activities to endorse diversity and integration
among community members.”
The films are said to encompass a wide range of
themes and genres, including comedy, drama and
documentary offerings.
All Festival-related events on campus are free
and open to the public. At the museum,
admission on Saturday’s from 10-noon is free and
those who are hand may stay and view the films
without charge according to a museum
spokesperson. Those arriving later, except CCSU
students and faculty members will pay the
regular general admission charge, $9.00 for
adults, $8.00 for senior citizens and $7.00 for
students. Children under 12 and Museum members
are admitted free.
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