Films Across Borders: Stories in A Changing World
Film
The American University in partnership with the Embassy of France is delighted to present the 2021 Films Across Borders film series.
The showcase of critically acclaimed film, documentaries and short stories from around the world returns for a seventh year this fall. The theme for 2021 focuses on Stories in a Changing World. This year’s theme is especially timely given the challenges we face the world over. The series features stories of change, transformation, and renewal in all walks of life and across continents. The festival kicks off October 5 with a discussion surrounding the award winning documentary With Drawn Arms, which explores runner Tommie Smith’s decision to raise his fist in protest of racial inequality when accepting his gold medal at the ’68 Olympic games and the ramifications afterwards. Also featured in the documentary are civil rights legend and Georgia Congressman John Lewis (1940-2020), sports journalist Jemele Hill, cultural critic Nelson George, actor Jesse Williams, Megan Rapinoe, and Colin Kaepernick, among others. The Dean of the School of Communications at American University, Sam Fulwood III will moderate the panel that includes the film’s director, Afshin Shahidi.
Films Across Borders was launched in 2014 to raise awareness about highly relevant themes by combining international films and panel discussion with filmmakers and special guests. The festival showcases critiacally acclaimed bfilms, documentaries and short stories from around the world. Co-presented by American University in partnership with embassy cultural organizations, arts institutions and environmental groups, the series focuses on a distinctive timely and compelling theme each year.
2021 SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct 21
In The Name of Scheherazade or The First Beer Garden in Tehran (2019), Goethe Institut Roof Top, Germany
Thursday, Oct 21
Before Oblivion (2018) by Antes del Olvido, Mexican Cultural Institute, Mexico
Oct 21- 24
Citizen Nobel (2020), The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital & Embassy of Switzerland
Tuesday Oct 26
Girl Rising 5th Anniversary (2019), American University, USA
Oct 26 – 27
Champions (2018), Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain
Oct 27 – Nov 2
Prism (2021), National Gallery of Art, France
Thursday, Nov 4
Cooked (2020), American University, USA
Sunday, Nov 7
The Age of Nature: Changing (2021), The Nature Conservancy and American University, USA
Tuesday, Nov 16
Lifeline, in virtual reality preceding the film
Culottées (2020), Cultural Services of the Embassy of France, France
Monday, Nov 29
Lifeline, in virtual reality preceding the film
Adolescents (2019), Cultural Services of the Embassy of France, France
TBD
Molecules (2020), Italian Cultural Institute, Italy
In partnership with
American University
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.