Film Forward Brings Cultural Conversations to Tacoma

This week the Sundance Institute, in partnership with a list of local organizations, brings a special free touring film series called Film Forward to Tacoma. The program includes film screenings, workshops and discussions designed to foster dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.  

Film Forward kicks off tonight with Chasing Ice at the Washington State History Museum and La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon) at the Portland Avenue Community Center. Both films, like the rest of the series, are followed by moderated discussions of issues raised.

The series continues with a total of eight films, all free, at different locations around Tacoma, through September 7.

The whole series looks like an interesting way to expand your horizons - and it's free.

Schedule of FREE Public Events:

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

6:00 p.m. - Chasing Ice
Location: Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Mount Tahoma Auditorium
Post film discussion: Moderated by Dr. Harry Stern, Polar Science Center, University of Washington

7 p.m. - La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon)
Location: STAR Center, 3873 South 66th Street
Post-film discussion: Pedro Gomez, Director of Washington Latino Voters’ Alliance; moderated by Laura Rodriguez, Metro Parks Tacoma

Wednesday, September 4 , 2013 

5 p.m. - Valley of Saints 
Location: University of Puget Sound, 1500 North Warner Street
Post film discussion: Moderated by Peter Wimberger, Professor of Biology and Director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at University of Puget Sound

7 p.m. - The Light in Her Eyes - special screening with director Julia Meltzer
Time: 7 PM
Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue
Cost: Free
Post film discussion: Julia Meltzer, director for The Light in Her Eyes; Dr. Therese Saliba, Professor of Middle East Studies and international feminism at Evergreen State College; moderated by Dr. David Coon, Associate Professor at University of Washington Tacoma

Thursday, September 5, 2013

3:30 p.m. - Bones Brigade: An Autobiography

Location: Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South

Post film discussion: Ryan Spence, skateboarder and skate park designer; Robert Boyle and Kevin Carlton, Grit City Grindhouse; Ben Warner, Alchemy Skate Center; moderated by Taylor Woodruff, Grit City Grindhouse

4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Reception
Location: Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, 1500 North Warner Street
Meet Julia Meltzer, director of The Light in Her Eyes, and enjoy the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf and Book Art Exhibit, "Al-Mutanabi Street." Light refreshments served.  

5 p.m. - The Light in Her Eyes - special screening with director Julia Meltzer

Location: Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound, 1500 North Warner Street
Post film discussion: Julia Meltzer, director for The Light in Her Eyes; moderated by Dr. Turan Kayaoglu, Professor of Middle East Studies at University of Washington Tacoma

6:30 - 7:15 - Tacoma Runners  Thursday Beer Run  
Tacoma Runners will meet at the Grand Cinema, complete their run and return for refreshments preceding the screening of Town of Runners.

7:30 - Town of Runners - special screening with director Jerry Rothwell

Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Avenue
Post film discussion: Jerry Rothwell, director of Town of Runners; moderated by Dr. Bill Kunz, University of Washington Tacoma

Friday, September 6, 2013

6 p.m. - The Loving Story
Location: Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Avenue
Post film discussion: TBA

Saturday, September 7, 2013

2 p.m. - Beasts of the Southern Wild
Location: Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South
Post film discussion: Moderated by Dr. Joanne Clarke Dillman, University of Washington Tacoma

Read more about the series in the Film Forward press release. See the whole program, with links to trailers, here.