May 30th marked the world premiere of the seventh annual Media That Matters Film Festival. The premiere of 16 social justice shorts were screened to a packed and overflowing house at the IFC in Manhattan. Filmmakers responded intelligently and with humor at the post screening Q&A. Those of us of age continued the dialogue at the local watering hole, discussing everything from race, gender, responsibility to starting a media that don’t matter film festival.

The next day, May 31st, we applauded, acknowledged and thanked the fierce voices and fresh visions of our filmmakers with an award ceremony at HBO’s midtown headquarters. Filmmakers were presented an award in their categories, along with a $1,000 check. Byron Hurt, Al Maysles, Ira Glass, Irina Pantaeva to name a few, were on hand to help present and celebrate with us. The evening was made even more fun and exciting with the humorous commentaries of our MC Baratunde Thurston. Kelly Tsai of BY STANDING, a slam poet and powerhouse Asian American performance artist, closed out the night with two passionate poems that uplifted and empowered us to continue on with the good fight in furthering social justice through media, through activism, through art, through consciousness, through collaboration. Keep on, keepin on!

The Media As A Tool For Social Change workshop at the International Center for Tolerance Education on June 1st allowed educators, filmmakers, organizers/organizations to connect and learn how each of us are connected and can leverage our knowledge, tools, voices and visions to further our endeavors. We realized, walking away, so much still needs to be done. But we also walked away knowing we have the resources, support and tools. We just need to put them to good use. The ICTE has been a valuable community organization by providing their space and resources to community organizations and organizers. Thanks to Veronique Graham and her colleagues for their continual support in our workshops and Arts Engine’s endeavors.

An encore screening of the 16 films at the Queens Museum allowed us to reach a newer and younger audience. Youth groups like Make the Road by Walking and college students who are in media studies programs came and witnessed the power of the media. Afterwards Sverre Fredriksen of POWER UP, M.J. Watkins of FARM SANCTUARY, Ambika Samarthya of ASHRAY, Naiquan Green of SUPERSTAR and Esther Nieves of American Friends Services Committee who helped produced RIGHTS ON THE LINE were on hand to answer thoughtful and engaging questions post screening. Thanks to Prerana Reddy and the Queens Museum for their amazing hospitality, support and generosity with their time and space. Through this partnership we were able to introduce our films to the Queens community and connect with some young up and coming filmmakers.

The last four days felt like a span of a month, not because time went by too slow but because within a short four days we’ve accomplished so much, met so many amazing people, watched inspiring films and connected with people that will take these films and reach a wider audience. We know there’s still a lot to be done. Next up we embark on the distribution, touring and outreach of the festival. Social justice work is never ending and the journey continues…