Film Festival with a Social Conscience in Its Second Year

Second Annual Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival, Creates a Platform for artists who seek to use their voice in film, theatre, spoken word, painting sculptor and photography for social change. This year's festival focuses on the topic of Mass Incarceration and Public Education.

Los Angeles, CA, October 25, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival (PTAFF) is proud to present its Second Annual arts festival focusing on the topic of Mass Incarceration and Education.

Forty (40) films with socially relevant themes will be screened during the week of November 1st through the 4th at two Laemmle theatres. The Fine Arts in Beverly Hills on Opening Night Wednesday November 1st, followed by Thursday; Friday and Saturday screenings at the Laemmle Royal in West Los Angeles. The films are divided into the following segments: Youth, Reentry, Mass Incarceration, and Gender related issues, LBGTQ & Immigration.

The Opening Night film “Asinamali” a powerful prison musical film from the internationally renowned South African playwright and theatre-maker, Mbongeni Ngema and Closing Film “Slikk Musik Miracles & Music” A story of hope overcoming adversity Multi-Platinum Dallas music producer’s life takes a drastic turn when he goes into a coma after complications during gallstone surgery and dies 3 times but lives to tell the story. Other titles screening include “The Return” The passage of Prop. 36 marked the first time in U.S. history that citizens voted to shorten sentences of those currently incarcerated. “The Return” examines this unprecedented reform through the eyes of those on the front lines—prisoners suddenly freed, families turned upside down, reentry providers helping navigate complex transitions, and attorneys and judges wrestling with an untested law. A line up of films by or about youth which includes “Lunch Time” “Microchip Jones” “Pull Up Your Pants” and “Saving Barbara Sizemore”. “Meisnered” by Filmmaker, Actress/Comedian Kellyann Chippendale, which has won six awards, including three top prizes at Monaco's International Film Festival in Monte Carlo. "Meisnered" is a ‘reality documentary' capturing actors learning the famous ‘Meisner technique’ created by legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner. Ms. Chippendale sees her film as a demonstration of "how one great teacher can change your whole life" evoking a spirit of connection through dialogue and empathy. Among the line up is The Los Angeles Premiere of “Knife Skills” which tells the story of the launch of Edwins a world class French restaurant in Cleveland, staffed by men and women just out of prison. These men and women all have something to prove, and all struggle to launch their new lives.

PTAFF’s 2017 will feature Public Forum Panels examining our Penal and Education systems. Panelist will include Geri Silva, Cofield, from Fair Chance Project, Yusel Wiley, from Roots Clinic and Timelist, Tonesa Mills, and Page Ostrow. The festival will offer a special production of “The Meeting” a play by Jeff Stetson which imagines the supposed meeting of two of the most important men of modern times: Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, starring Bechir Slyvain, Ethan Henry and Justin Chu Cary. Directed by the legendary actor and producer Bill Cobbs. In addition to an art exhibit showcasing the works of currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. The exhibit will include the works of Fulton Washington and Words Uncaged curated by Dr Roy Bidran.

Festival passes and tickets are currently available. Festival passes provide access to all film screenings, public forum panels and opening/closing night receptions. Tickets are only sold online via www.PTAFF.org.

For a complete list of films visit our website at www.ptaff.org or see us on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/ptafilmfest/

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Please Contact:
Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival:
Michelle Smith, Director 310-628-5370, masmith@ptaff.org
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Pembroke Taparelli Arts and Film Festival
Michelle Andrea Smith
310-628-5370
www.ptaff.org
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