The award winning film Fourth World takes you inside slums on three continents to meet individuals caught up in the largest people migration in the history of the world. Understanding 'a billion people' is almost impossible, but meeting a handful of slum dwellers strips away the statistic and begins the process of building understanding. Journey with the filmmakers to Guatemala, Kenya and the Philippines to meet slum dwellers. Listen to published experts--leaders in their fields from three more continents--as they bring understanding to the 'why' of slums, and foreshadow what's going to happen if the world ignores this social powder keg much longer.
GRINGO TRAILS
How do travelers change the remote places they visit, and how are they changed? GRINGO TRAILS, a new documentary film, offers answers—some heartbreaking, some hopeful. From the Bolivian jungle to the party beaches of Thailand, and from the deserts of Timbuktu, Mali to the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan, GRINGO TRAILS shows the dramatic long-term impact of tourism on cultures, economies, and the environment, tracing some stories over 30 years. Backpackers and local inhabitants tell startling stories of transformation, for good and ill.
This film will premiere at the Margaret Mead Film Festival at the American Museum of Natural History on October 19th.
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Strictly Beza: Combating HIV Through Dance in Ethiopia
In a country where more than half of the younger population was born during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ethiopia is in dire need of education for its youth on practicing safe sex. To address this issue, a young dance troupe by the name of Addis Beza are utilizing their talents and passion for music and dance to educate community members about HIV prevention. During their public performances, the 15-20 member crew hands out informational pamphlets about HIV and encourages their spectators to get tested.
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CHANGE HEROES: The Trip that Changed the Way to Give
Back in 2009, Taylor Conroy took a trip to Kenya and Uganda in pursuit of a vacation and means of getting himself involved. Little did he know that this decision would cause for him to start a movement; Change Heroes -a friend-funding platform which gives anyone the tools they need to raise $10,000 and build a school, library, or water well anywhere in the developing world. In this video, Taylor talks about that initial, innocent trip, which caused his life, and the lives of thousands of others, to change for the better, forever.
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BURNING MAN: The Temple
Sifting through the cultural phenomena that is Burning Man in search for its meaning and place in the world is a daunting task. Fortunately, Michael Marantz (Founder of Already Alive)'s short film 'The Temple' does exactly that. In his own words, "'The Temple' explores modern spirituality in a contemplative and personal manner touching on the ideas of self-discovery, letting go, and meaningful human connection that transcends simply a party in the desert."
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What's Wrong with Volunteer Travel?
Listen to Daniela Papi in her TEDx talk, she spent six years living in Cambodia and founded her own travel organization, PEPY TOURS, originally "voluntourism" and now shifted to learning travel. She brings to light the flaws in the efforts to do good on the international front, such as in Cambodia where the popularity of orphanage volunteering has led to the phenomenon that 3 out of 4 Cambodian "orphans" have 1 or more live parents. Here's her story.
RWANDA: Sweet Dreams
How does a country distance itself up from the horrors of the past? In post-genocide Rwanda, this has proven to be a tall task. Yet, great strides have been made in the country's economic recovery since the '94 genocide. Pioneering Rwandan theater director Kiki Katese believes though that, "people are not like roads and buildings." 'Sweet Dreams' shows us the truth in her sentiment by following the story of Rwanda's first women-only drumming troupe as they empowerer themselves through a new and foreign venture - the creation of the country's first ever Ice Cream shop.
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VIDEO: The Issue of Forced Sex Work in India
Everyday in India, almost forty girls under the age of fifteen, are forced into sexual labor. This film, presented by the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) - an organization with the goal of creating a world without child exploitation - suggests a simple way by which we can help stop this inhuman practice; by taking action against it.
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SOUTH AFRICA: Dear Mandela
It has been close to 20 years since South Africa abolished its oppressive regime of apartheid. With this came a new constitution and a promise to provide all citizens living in squatter towns, and townships with adequate housing and equal rights. Unfortunately, in the eyes of many South Africans, this promise has not yet been fulfilled. This award-winnng documentary depicts the story of the first post-apartheid generation and their struggle towards attaining what they were promised two decades ago.
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Worldwide Time Lapses
If you've always wanted to take a trip around the world but you only have a few moments to spare then this is the video for you. Globetrotter Mike Riccitelli takes us on a stunning visual tour of Japan, China, Vietnam, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, and the United States. Join him.
TANZANIA: Kwanini
After nine long years in the USA furthering his education Venance is traveling home to Tanzania with Kristen, his close American friend from a vastly differing background. As they journey the countryside they experience the ancient culture, the contemporary poverty, and the eternal spirituality of his motherland. As Venance struggles to blend his newly learned western philosophy with that of tribal life Kristen experiences a life-changing transformation by observing first-hand the daily struggle to survive for many living on the continent.
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AFGHANISTAN: Touch Down in Flight
This short film by Augustin Pictures takes us on a breathtaking tour of Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan. "As each of us has his own impression of Afghanistan that is predominantly marked with pictures of foreign forces, explosions and terror," the filmmakers have said, "we were privileged to have access to capture daily life and portray the people of Afghanistan."
INDIA: Journey Across a Nation
When Mike Matas decided to drive a rickshaw across India he knew he'd be in for an adventure. But the real adventure began when his rickshaw broke down at the beginning of the trip and he had to find his way across the country via public transportation. Watch his beautiful journey unfold over 2,000 miles, 30 days, and 3000 photos. All in 3 minutes.
MILLENNIAL TRAINS PROJECT: The Uncharted Territories
This past summer, The Millennial Trains Project (MTP) embarked on its inaugural cross-country journey - visiting six cities in ten days; traveling by train the entire way. With a mission to awaken the entrepreneurial amongst a group of 25 crowdfunded Millennials, the trip exposed them to the uncharted territories of America; showing the promise, and room for growth the country has. This video - narrated by Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geograhpic Traveler and MTP on-train mentor shares his insights on the Millennial Generation, travel, and the need for all of us to fight complacency in order to break the status-quo.
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DENMARK: Watch a Group of People Make this Immigrant Bus Driver's Day
As a country sitting atop the world ranks being named the 'happiest country in the world,' Denmark has quite the reputation to live up to these days. Beneath the surface though, an unhealthy distain for immigrants is a perculating issue inside its own borders. Such was not the case for this fantastic group of Danes who decided to show a Somalian immigrant, and bus driver, their appreciation; on his birthday no less. Faith in humanity, restored.
Sixpenny Globe - Around the World on the Cheap
After obtaining a college education and trudging through a year of minimum-wage jobs and unpaid internships, Kelsey Ogden and Kristen Refermat agreed that some extra spice was needed in their lives. For many, the remedy for such a dilemma might be a simple tropical holiday - complete with frozen margaritas and white sanded beaches. This however was not the case for these two. Instead, Kristen and Kelsey quit their jobs and bought two round-the-world tickets; on credit. Through their travels Sixpenny Globe was born - a new web series documenting their budget-traveling, hitchhiking, couchsurfing escapades around the world and back.
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Living on One Dollar: 2013 Documentary On Poverty
We have all heard about the more than 1 billion people that live on less than $1/day. But could you do it? Four friends set out to do so for 56 days in Guatemala and this film, Living on One Dollar, is the result. "Living on One Dollar is a must-watch film that provides a unique look into the hardship and hope of life in extreme poverty." — Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate.
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VIDEO: Expedition to The End of The World Explores Greenland
The film, The Expedition to the End of World, is a snapshot of the participating artists and scientists or their projects on the schooner Activ in northeast Greenland. A snapshot representing the filmmakers’ use of this unusual opportunity, the film explores what life is like in the arctic Greenland. Artists and activists were involved in the film. No obligations or performance contracts, the film shows just pure exploration of the worlds of nature, science and art.
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VIDEO: Already Alive Shows Their Bonnaroo Experience
Produced by the creative storytelling platform Already Alive, this film is an intimate lens into the incredible community bounded by music, elevated connection, and limitless possibility. Music festivals are a hallmark of American summers, and Bonnaroo is no exception. Through a montage of Bonnaroo’s many voices and images, the piece sheds light on the festival’s many promises: the promise of experimentation, self-discovery, and love. It begs the question of what the world would look like if we lived our daily lives in this way.
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VIDEO: Twenty Eight Feet Chronicles David Welsford's Life at Sea
Twenty Eight Feet is a short documentary following David Welsford, who decided to give up the luxuries on land in search for happiness and adventure on a 50 year-old wooden boat. He encounters several interesting things along his journey. His travels have also inspired many around the world. This short documentary has been shown around the world in over 22 film festivals, and has received accolades for its eye-opening story and artistic telling.