AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE PARTNERS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE ON

THIRD ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

Submissions Now Open for K-12 Storytellers with the Theme
“The World I Want to Live In”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 24, 2016, Los Angeles, CA — The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced its collaboration with the White House on the third annual White House Student Film Festival, to be held in late summer 2016. Participant Media, a global entertainment company focused on inspiring social change, joins AFI in support of their work with young filmmakers of the White House Student Film Festival for a second year.  Open to K-12 student filmmakers, the theme of this year’s festival is “The World I Want to Live In.” Young storytellers are now encouraged to submit their short films based on this theme at WhiteHouse.Gov/FilmFest.

“For nearly 50 years, the American Film Institute has served the nation by upholding and advancing the art of filmmaking,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “AFI was born in the White House Rose Garden, and since that day has trained thousands of filmmakers whose stories have illuminated screens throughout the world. Working with the White House, we are honored to encourage the youngest of storytellers to bring their voices to the art form.”

Since the festival began in 2014, AFI has worked on President Barack Obama’s program as an advisor and producer, reviewing submissions and creating a two-day celebration that includes educational opportunities for the selected young filmmakers. This year, that partnership continues as the White House Student Film Festival highlights both the Administration’s commitment to public service and AFI’s ongoing mission to nurture the next generation of storytellers.

About Participant Media
Participant Media (http://www.participantmedia.com/) is a leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for viewers to get involved. Participant’s more than 70 films, including Spotlight, Contagion, Lincoln, The Help, He Named Me Malala, The Look of Silence, CITIZENFOUR, Food, Inc., and An Inconvenient Truth, have collectively earned 50 Academy Award® nominations and 11 wins.  Participant has also launched more than a dozen original series, including “Please Like Me,” Emmy® Award-winning “Hit Record On TV with Joseph Gordon-Levitt,” and “Fortitude,” for its television network, Pivot (http://www.pivot.tv/). Participant’s digital hub, TakePart (http://www.TakePart.com), serves millions of socially conscious consumers each month with daily articles, videos and opportunities to take action. Follow Participant Media on Twitter at @Participant and on Facebook. 

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and the AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film; AFI AWARDS, honoring the most outstanding movies and TV series of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi, AFI DOCS and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world-renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute, instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.