2011 New Works Contest Winner Announced
San Francisco filmmaker David Zlutnick’s film to win cash award and be featured in film series around the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2011
Contact: Cary McQueen Morrow
415.420.8845 | cary@artwithimpact.org
Art With Impact: www.artwithimpact.org
Winning Film: http://www.artwithimpact.org/media/no-more-shooting-and-crying
Art With Impact is delighted to announce the winner of its inaugural New Works Contest for short films. No More Shooting and Crying, a short documentary by Upheaval Productions, will receive first prize, a $1,000 award to support future work. Mr. Zlutnick will receive his award at Art With Impact's November 10th screening of Slingshot Hip Hop at the 9th Street Independent Film Center.
Through the New Works Contest, Art With Impact accepts new short films on socially conscious topics. This year, filmmakers were asked to submit films five - 15 minutes in length, of any genre, on the topic of the Israeli / Palestinian relationship. The submissions from around the world were juried based on their storytelling, connection to the featured topic, production values, and originality. In addition to judges from Art With Impact's board of directors, guest judge and filmmaker Ruba Nadda evaluated the work.
In the winning film, No More Shooting and Crying, former Israeli soldiers speak freely about their transition from beg on active duty to reintegrating into society after serving in the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. This transition is popularly described in Israel as "shooting and crying." As the former soldiers of varying ranks discuss life in a culture that has incorporated and normalized military service, their candid interviews reveal remarkable human capacity to empathize with victims of war and genuine concern for the next generation of Israelis. The film’s director, David Zlutnick, has created multiple socially relevant films on local and global issues. His work seeks to unpack underrepresented and complex social issues through conversations with people most affected by these issues.
In addition to the cash award, No More Shooting and Crying will be featured as a “bonus feature” in the Host Kit for Art With Impact’s Underground Film Series October and November film, Slingshot Hip Hop. The two runners up, Eid and Voices for Gaza will also be featured on this bonus disk. Eid is a documentary film on Eid, a Palestinian Bedouin living under Israeli occupation. An artist using materials salvaged from the destruction of his home village. Eid makes art that describes and responds to this very process of destruction. Eid documents the success of one individual in taking ownership of the sociopolitical circumstance in which he finds himself, through the process of combining his labor and love into powerful social speech.
Voices For Gaza urges increased global awareness of Palestinians’ social condition in Gaza, and advocates increased accountability for the atrocities of war.
No More Shooting and Crying, Eid, and Voices for Gaza can be viewed at ArtWithImpact.org.
About the New Works Contest
The New Works Contest is a part of New Works Project, an innovative forum for bringing together filmmakers from all over the world to share resources and collaborate on creative works. The New Works Project website allows filmmakers to explore and organize files, save source materials, invite collaborators, participate in discussions, and work on new or existing open projects listed on the site. In 2012, the New Works Contest will have two categories: The Israel / Palestine Relationship, and Mental Health.
About Art With Impact
Art With Impact is an arts-centered, social engagement organization based in San Francisco. In addition to the New Works Project, Art With Impact has two programs that allow access to its network of films, filmmakers, artists, activists. The Underground Film Series makes it easy for those interested to watch a film, be a host, or start a conversation by providing necessary tools to find a film, set up screenings and turn questions and thoughts into productive conversations. Project Engage has a list of carefully selected nonprofit organizations and provides ample opportunities for volunteering, going to an event and meeting new people.