Description

This two-campus series will feature ethnographic films by young Tibetans from within China and young Burmese filmmakers, a lecture and film on Buddhism in Burma, and a workshop on documentary film and development in Asia. Interesting similarities between Burmese and Tibetan cultures – both of which flourish in strongly Buddhist, intellectually rich yet economically poor communities living within difficult political boundaries – make this cross-cultural comparison especially compelling. The weekend will feature works of emerging and established Tibetan filmmakers, most of which have never been shown outside China, Burmese students participating in the Yangon Film School, and established Anglo-Burman filmmaker Lindsey Merrison. Films will be followed by discussions with invited Toronto filmmakers. Discussions will also focus on the special value of participatory film projects for young people living in threatened cultural groups. The event venues will be enhanced by a stunning exhibit of images by Plateau Photographers, a participatory photography project that trains minority students in western China.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 12:00 noon-5:00 pm
Venue: TBA

WORKSHOPS ON DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING

A series of workshops on documentary filmmaking, bringing together several Toronto professional documentary filmmakers with the visiting Asian filmmakers, to discuss various practical issues relevant to documentary filmmaking. Leslie Chan’s New Media for Development program students may also attend, as well as selected other students.