Convention memories
As the election nears, Mark Rabinowitz looks back at this year's Impact Film Festival.
Alongside this year's Democratic National Convention, Starz and the Denver Film Society (DFS) got together with the Impact Film Festival and SeaChange Communications to offer various politically themed films and panel discussions at the Starz Film Center (re-dubbed the Starz Green Room for the DNC). The DFS, Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the 2008 Denver Convention Host Committee also presented Cinemocracy, 5-minute films that invoke the spirit of democracy.
Larimer Street was a main route to the Pepsi Center and Starz Green Room and for the week it was decorated with the flags of al 50 states in the order fo their admission tot he union (Joe Biden's Delaware is first) plus the US territories.
"Battle in Seattle" director Stuart Townshend was in surprisingly good humor following a disastrous screening of his film (the print apparently broke). Pictured here at his post-screening panel at the Starz Green Room. The message of the afternoon was clear: Current global trade agreements aren't working and more emphasis needs to be placed on FAIR trade, over free trade.
Also on the planet was James P. Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Hoffa's father Jimmy was a friend of my father's and it was an honor to meet him. The panel was moderated by Lori Wallach the director of the Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch.
Mark Rabinowitz is a writer and film producer. He is the editor in chief of The Rabbi Report, co-founder of indieWIRE.com, he currently curates their new documentary film blog Docsider, presented in concert with SnagFilms.
Alongside this year's Democratic National Convention, Starz and the Denver Film Society (DFS) got together with the Impact Film Festival and SeaChange Communications to offer various politically themed films and panel discussions at the Starz Film Center (re-dubbed the Starz Green Room for the DNC). The DFS, Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the 2008 Denver Convention Host Committee also presented Cinemocracy, 5-minute films that invoke the spirit of democracy.
Larimer Street was a main route to the Pepsi Center and Starz Green Room and for the week it was decorated with the flags of al 50 states in the order fo their admission tot he union (Joe Biden's Delaware is first) plus the US territories.
"Battle in Seattle" director Stuart Townshend was in surprisingly good humor following a disastrous screening of his film (the print apparently broke). Pictured here at his post-screening panel at the Starz Green Room. The message of the afternoon was clear: Current global trade agreements aren't working and more emphasis needs to be placed on FAIR trade, over free trade.
Also on the planet was James P. Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Hoffa's father Jimmy was a friend of my father's and it was an honor to meet him. The panel was moderated by Lori Wallach the director of the Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch.
Mark Rabinowitz is a writer and film producer. He is the editor in chief of The Rabbi Report, co-founder of indieWIRE.com, he currently curates their new documentary film blog Docsider, presented in concert with SnagFilms.
Michael Jones is the film festival editor at Variety.com. 
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