2013 Virtual Amateur Film Festival
2013 Virtual Amateur Film Festival
 
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We received a number of top-quality submissions to the Amateur Film Festival Competition.  Due to scheduling constraints, we will only be able to screen three amateur films in San Francisco.  In the weeks leading up to the Film Festival, we wanted to give AERA members an opportunity to view some of the other wonderful films we received, made by members of our organization.

See you in San Francisco!

Coffee. Cup.
Submitted by Diana Petrarca, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
https://vimeo.com/56611736

This short (and film festival entrant's first!) documentary gives the viewer a brief glimpse into the "learning-to-speak-English" world as experienced and told by Margherita, an Italian-Canadian woman, who immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. Feeling isolated, frustrated, and lost, Margherita enrolled in a free course offered at the local high school, for newcomers to Canada who had little or no understanding of the English language. Margherita insists the events in her life as an immigrant, took a turn for the better, after learning her first two English words. Coffee. Cup. shares a sliver of Margherita’s learning journey, and the power of seemingly inconsequential events. Margherita relives how two simple words, a kind neighbour, and her desire to learn, unlocked her world of possibilities.

Inside the Academy
Submitted by Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University
http://insidetheacademy.asu.edu

Inside the Academy provides distinguished educational researchers, scholars, and practitioners an opportunity to share their passion for education. Inspired by the Emmy award winning Inside the Actors Studio, Inside the Academy honors the personal and professional achievements of exemplary scholars, most of whom are members of the National Academy of Education.  Distinguished scholars who have been featured include Carl Bereiter, David Berliner, Jerome “Jerry” Bruner, Linda Darling-Hammond, Elliot Eisner, Gene Glass, John Goodlad, Edmund Gordon, Maxine Greene, Henry “Hank” Levin, Nel Noddings, W. James “Jim” Popham, Diane Ravitch, and Lee Shulman.

Understanding What Life is About
Submitted by Judy Iseke, Lakehead University
www.ourelderstories.com

Tom McCallum (White Standing Buffalo), Métis Elder and storyteller, explains that stories are a history of our people from many lifetimes and that stories are real. In English, with some Cree, he shares 6 entertaining stories which have been animated. Through his engaging stories Tom helps us understand the complex uses of storytelling as community activities that educate, entertain, and increase community bonds. Through humorous stories, personal stories of being saved by a tree, and community stories, Tom shares how storytelling connects the past with today and how it may impact the future. He also demonstrates how creation stories and Wasakechak tales teach about our relationship to the natural world.