Young people from more than a dozen cities across the country have arrived in Washington DC for the second annual “If I Had a Trillion Dollars” film festival.
Their thoughtful and creative visions – shown in 3-minute videos - will be shown on Capitol Hill this afternoon, Monday 16 April.
Here they are getting ready to meet their representatives.
The Film Festival asks young people to think about our countries priorities as reflected in the federal budget. Asking them to consider:
The $1 trillion spent yearly on the U.S. military The $1 trillion spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan The $1 trillion plus in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
A public screening April 14 at Busboys and Poets, 6pm (14th Street & V Street NW) (Note: A panel of judges including hip hop artists Rebel Diaz, actress Susan Sarandon, and Brave New Films' Derrick Crowe have selected the films.)
A Congressional film screening April 16 with Congressman Jim McGovern, featuring the testimonies of eight youth filmmakers (1:30pm, Cannon House Office Building, Room 122)
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind" - John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963
World Premiere - 2nd Annual "If I Had A Trillion Dollars" Youth Film Festival
Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
American Friends Service Committee and National Priorities Project are proud to invite you to the World Premiere of the 2nd Annual "If I Had A Trillion Dollars" Youth Film Festival.
The IHTD Youth Film Festival asks young people to speak out on the federal budget and asks them to consider:
The $1 trillion spent yearly on the U.S. military The $1 trillion spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan The $1 trillion plus in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
Please join us for an evening of youth voices on the cost of war.
AFSC, BAY-Peace, Met West High School, Emiliano Zapata Street Academy
The Trillion Dollar Question
The Village of Arts & Humanities, Philadelphia, PA
One of the most exciting projects we worked on last year was the If I Had a Trillion Dollars Youth Video contest. The responses were so compelling - two of my favorites are above - that we decided to have another. We are again partnering with the National Priorities Project (NPP).
This year will end with a big festival celebration from 7-10 April 2012 in Washington DC. AFSC and NPP will host a youth leadership conference and organize film screenings for members of Congress. There will also be community events.
Please take a minute to forward this invitation. There is still plenty of time, but videos must be received by 15 January 2012.
Some ideas for outreach and groups that participated last year.
Teachers and school video clubs Community groups Your kids, their friends Faith communities Occupy communities
The National Youth Video Festival asks young people to speak out on the federal budget and to consider:
The nearly $1 trillion spent every year on the US military. The more than $1 trillion spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The more than $1 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
While teaching in Kabul, Zaher Wahab asked Afghan High School students – boys and girls – to draw pictures of their experience with war. The drawings can be viewed here: Student Art from the Ashes of War
About Afghanistan 101
This blog gathers, categorizes, and evaluates films, videos, books, news features and on-line resources to support advocacy and action to end the war in Afghanistan.
The American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker non-profit, has had Middle East programs since 1949. In the United States, AFSC advocates for alternatives to the use of military force to resolve conflict.
