Reel Young
Corey "CJ" Jennings, CEO of Next Generation Awareness Foundation told us some time ago that one of NGAF's missions is to bring independent film to U.S. cities that aren't used to getting the pick of the cinematic litter. And although Washington, DC isn't exactly a cultural backwater, it's also not New York or Los Angeles.
That means we're even more interested in the films selected for this year's Film & Discussion Series, which focus on young filmmakers and youth culture. Films include Aspen Shortsfest Award winner Antonio's Breakfast and the 2005 documentary Schooling Baltimore Street, which chronicles the political efforts of Baltimore teenagers protesting budget cuts and teacher shortages.
We've also got our eye on Chantel Woolridge whose film All Falls Down will be screened at the Series. Chantel wrote the film at age 15, and the script was selected by Scenarios USA to be produced with the aid of a professional film crew. According to Chantel, All Falls Down is the story of a group of teenage girls who encounter a group of teenage boys on their daily subway commute; and, well, you know what happens when teenage boys and girls run into one another. Let the peer pressure begin. Director David Koepp was drawn to the film for what he calls its "authenticity and heart," and several of the actors report getting into the film's "realness."
The youth films screen at the Film & Discussion Series on February 10 in Washington, DC.
8 February 2007