It is that time again! The Hope and Freedom Film Festival in Long Beach California! Truly an inspiring mission being layed out for stories to be told. Important heart-filled stories. Stories to inspire dialogues that change things in our world. Examining human nature and why people do what they do?!! Putting spotlights on injustices and many ‘under the surface issues people battle against!’
Nothing new about that on the AutismHWY! That is why we are 1000% behind this fantastic FILM FESTIVAL each and every year! This Saturday May 12th come on down to the Art Theatre on 4th st in Long Beach. 10:00 am will begin the day.
Between 10:00 and 12:00 you will be treated to a Student Congress organized debate. Where selected High School and College students will kick-things off debating a community chosen topic. 2 debaters will be awarded $250.00 cash! One recipient will be decided by an audience vote and the other recipient will be chosen from a panel of experts! Fantastic start for a very spirited day!
The 1st film will be at 12:00 noon: “THE END/ BEGINNING: CAMBODIA”
This film shows how the end can sometimes be the beginning of something precious, as families valiantly escaped from Cambodia.
Directly after the film at 12:30 there will be a very important speaker; an actual refugee from 1981 Dr. Sam Keo. Dr. Keo has been helping others by working as a Clinical Psychologist for the County of Los Angeles for 20 yrs. He will be able to speak directly about the experiences portrayed in the riveting film after his many years of healing.
At 1:30: “ERASING HATE” is the documentation of a former violent ‘skin-heads’ transformation outwardly and inwardly.Byron Widner attempts to erase the hate and escape that former hate fueled lifestyle as he erases his menacing tattoos one after another. 
At 3:15: “THE MOVEMENT: One man joins an uprising” The story of one man’s return to the mountain that changed his life forever.Joining the ranks of people that have overcome physical limitations. People whom have been told by professionals that they would/could never do something. This film focuses on the human spirit that fights back against that and refusing to hear the word “never.”
At 4:15″FROM THE GROUND UP”This entry is the story of NYFD widows and their children making sense of the senseless after the 9-11 attacks. The challenges, tear drops and laughter are documented as they bravely move forward without their fathers/husbands.
Two of these families have children with Autism. After it’s conclusion I will have a moment to speak to the issues in the film. I will also take a moment to tell the audience about the incredible positive movement we are a part of here on AutismHWY.com!
At 5:00 we will see “THE END OF THE WORLD” A silent movie artfully depicting the story of a solitary man in search of work and food in his torn down city after the economic fall.
At 5:15 “WHILE WE WATCH” is a gripping portrait of the Occupy Wall Street movement. This film provides witness of a new dawn of the power of people and social media!
6:30 will bring on “CONNECTED“ a funny, eye opening and inspiring film. Go on a rollercoaster ride of discovery as to how technology has changed our idea of what ‘being connected’ means in 2012!
At 7:55 “GOOD THINGS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING” This is a quick uplifting film about love and fate and proposition 8! Hitting on the importance that lies within
8:00 marks the The final film for 2012 “BRINGING KING TO CHINA” This is the story of a father and daughter passionate about their missions in life. The film creates a cross cultural dialogue about the current relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of peace and non-violence.
What a thought provoking line-up a fantastic Saturday adventure! Afterwards at 10:00 pm many festival participants 21 & over will adjourn to the 4th St.VINE 200 feet from the theatre that will remain open until 12:00!
Dont forget to buy raffle tickets!! All day they grant prizes to lucky ticket holders! This year we will donate a Raffle package that will include: The making Friends with Autism Coloring Books, Debra Hosseini’s tHE ART of AUTISM book and Silke Heyer’s one of a kind Art Bags!!
