SR(™) Socially Relevant Film Festival New York (Rated SR) – 2nd edition
March 16-22, 2015

SR Socially Relevant Film Festival (™) New York, a new non-profit film festival that showcases socially relevant films with human interest stories as a response to the proliferation of violence and violent forms of storytelling. SR(™) believes in promoting positive social change through the powerful medium of cinema.

For details on partner organizations and the festival please visit the festival’s website: http://www.ratedsrfilms.org/

Press and media partnerships:
Delphine Millot, ratedsrfilms@gmail.com
Outreach: Constance Du Bois, outreachsr@gmail.com

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Artistic Director Nora Armani:

Matthew: What is the mission statement of this festival?

Nora: The mission of SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York is to shine the spotlight on filmmakers who tell compelling, socially relevant, human interest narratives across a broad range of social issues without resorting to gratuitous violence and violent forms of movie making.

Matthew: So it seems like your festival is anti-violence in the movies. Do you feel there is too much violence in Hollywood?

Nora: YES (see my quote in the press release)

“I strongly believe that the violence portrayed on our screens and in video games is responsible for the banalization of evil in our societies and the proliferation of violent forms of communication. Most films today encourage mis-representation, reinforce stereotypes and create an escapist passive attitude in youth and adults towards major social issues. In reverse, simply by focusing more on socially relevant themes, positive social change can be promoted through the powerful medium of cinema.”

Matthew: How did this festival get started?

Nora: See press release:

Nora Armani, Actor/Filmmaker and Founding Artistic Director of SR, created the festival in response to the proliferation of violence and violent forms of storytelling.

Matthew: Looking at “The Team” of this festival on your website, it’s definitely a majority female influence, which is great and rare to see. Do you also like to showcase female driven stories and filmmakers at your festival that goes with it’s themes?

Nora: Yes, but that is not the only reason. We feel women filmmakers need to be given a chance, but first and foremost we program GOOD films regardless of whether they were made by women or not.

Matthew: 2015 will be your 2nd edition. What did you learn in your first year running a festival?

Nora: That this is a good concept whose time has come or even is long overdue and that audiences will respond when you give them good socially relevant movies and human interest stories.

Matthew: Last year you had spotlights on Immigration, Meditation, Human Loss. Can you give a sneak peak on what your spotlights for 2015 will be?

Nora: We do not have ‘spotlights’ as such this year, but the themes we are covering are:

Gun control & police brutality
Race relations & discrimination
Violence against women & empowering women
LGBT rights
Conflict in the Mideast
The environment & climate change
The US economy & oil rush
Immigration & exile

Matthew: How has the city of New York helped your festival?

Nora: New York is a great town with people who are interested in film, theatre, meaningful entertainment (and some mindless entertainment too) and appreciated socially relevant and engaged content. The festival is easily accessible in Manhattan-based venues and it is pleasure to work in New York city. We also have the support of the Mayor’s Office through the various divisions.

Matthew: Where do you see this festival in 5 years?

Nora: In 5 years we will probably be in more venues and/or over a longer period of time, so we can show more of the wonderful films that are submitted. Also, we would have a more developed industry panels section where filmmakers can learn and mingle with mentors and with colleagues. We are forming partnerships with overseas film festivals, such as International Environmental Film Festival in Paris where this year we have two of the films from our last year’s filmmakers programmed, and also another space in Paris called Commune Image, where we are envisaging having an annual mini SR Film Festival from each year’s favourites.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.