This screening series was brought to you by Evelyn Sternling, the Village of Park Forest, Wendell Mosby, and Joseph Hernandez. We invite you to our screening series: The Best of the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival (chicagosocialchange.org) at the Holiday Star Theater in Park Forest, IL. 

CISCFF’s Mission: is to leverage technology, film, art and innovative programming to provide communities, filmmakers and organizations with the tools, resources and platform needed to bring international exposure to untold stories of struggle, hardship and hope from across the globe  while providing access to direct action opportunities to respond to the issues highlighted at the festival.

Theater 1

BROTHERS ON THE LINE (80MIN, USA)

Director: Sasha Reuther Brothers

On The Line is a  provocative documentary feature  exploring the legacy of the Reuther brothers, labor and civil rights  champions, whose leadership of the  United Auto Workers (UAW) union transformed the social, economic, and political landscape of a nation.  Comprised of never-before-seen footage from the UAW internal archive, stirring first-hand accounts and narration by Martin Sheen, this film takes an in-depth look at a  controversial history. It not only weaves a striking personal narrative of one family's commitment, but provides timely commentary on issues that resonate far beyond their era, from the virtual collapse of the 'Big 3' automakers to current debates over workers rights, national healthcare, and the Occupy movement. A tour-de-force sure to engage and inspire.

Theater 2

GRACELAND GIRLS (29min, KENYA)

Director: Jordan Salvatoriello

Educating its adolescent girls has proven to be the cornerstone of Kenyan development, yet so many are denied equal access to education, social and economic equality and respect. The half-hour documentary Graceland Girls provides an intimate look at how the high school students at Graceland Girls School in central Kenya have, so far, defied the odds. Using a combination of video and digital photographs  -  taken  by  both the subjects and the filmmaker  -  the girls express the beauty and pressures of empowered Kenyan girlhood and share their personal struggles to find hope for a better future.

DELTA 180: CHANGING LIVES IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA (28MIN, USA)

Director: Anne Rayner

Delta 180: Changing Lives in the Mississippi Delta is a documentary film which tells the still evolving story of despair turned into hope: atrisk youth in Greenville, Mississippi, and  their journey towards a more hopeful future. They begin their journey through an innovative, grassroots mentoring and life skills program that is 'changing lives, one degree at a time.'

CLOSE TIES: TYING ON A NEW TRADITION (26 MIN, USA)

Director: Gemal Woods

Close Ties: Tying on a New Tradition provides an intimate look at a rites of passage ceremony that connects teenage boys with male role models. The ceremony at this New Orleans barbershop was created by Dr. Andre Perry and Wilbert 'Chill' Wilson as a way to strengthen communities struggling with crime, poverty and alarming high school drop out rates. Cultural traditions have been the cornerstone of African communities for centuries. Close Ties examines the impact of this new tradition and shows us how tying a necktie --- an act associated with men who embody professionalism and prestige  --  can  inspire  high  school boys to commit to a life of achievement and success.

What is CISCFF? CISCFF is a. . .

• New vehicle for social change that presents film & art to inspire people to act and create change.
• Hub for innovative technology & ideas that can be accessed by all  to  empower communities, filmmakers and organizations.
• Unique forum where filmmakers of all skill levels and artists can showcase their talent.
• Mechanism that cultivates a network of artists, academics, lawyers, the technology community, the business community, community members and activists to work together for social change.

Why is CISCFF Necessary? CISCFF is necessary because. . .

• There are so many issues crippling communities across the globe that a different medium and forum is needed to:
• Increase the profile of these issues;
• Broaden the audience of individuals exposed to those issues; and, 
• Inspire others to work together to address them.
• CISCFF creates funding mechanisms to incentivize the production  of films that heighten public consciousness and promote social action to encourage talented individuals to create such films.
• CISCFF cultivates a formal network where all stakeholders can work together to promote social change, increase their positive exposure, and expand their networks and brand.