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Feb. 7-8: 2008 Making Your Media Matter Conference, Washington D.C.

Making Your Media Matter is a conference for established and aspiring filmmakers, non-profit communications leaders, funders and students looking to learn and share cutting-edge practices for creating media that matters.

Join filmmakers, distributors, outreach specialists and an impressive cast of media pioneers for a series of panel discussions on the latest tools and trends in creating and distributing social issue media.

Space is limited, so register now to attend. Registration includes a free copy of Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction by Pat Aufderheide!

Summary of Events:

Feb. 7-8, 2008, Katzen Arts Center Recital Hall, American University's Center for Social Media

Thursday, February 7

Games for Social Change: How games and video are playing well together
How are online games mobilizing audiences around social issues? This panel will explore how video games can double as tools for conflict resolution, and maybe even save the environment!

Kick-off Reception.
Join us for an evening of food, drink and fun!

Friday, February 8

Plight Entertainment
Sometimes the most uncomfortable stories are the most important ones to tell. What's the process for pitching and telling stories that don’t have Hollywood endings? Then what?

Keynote Address: Byron Hurt and Sonya Childress
Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes is a film that deftly explores issues of manhood, misogyny, violence and creativity in hip-hop. Join filmmaker Byron Hurt and community outreach campaign strategist Sonya Childress as they continue to inspire and engage!

Crossing Cultural Boundaries
How are filmmakers and organizations using media to promote intercultural understanding? Amazing stories of media projects as agents of change in areas traditionally wrought with conflict.

Short Shorts and Hot Platforms: Emerging Formats and Distribution Strategies
This panel features some of the most progressive practitioners on the public media landscape, frankly discussing what worked...and what didn't.