In a country with innumerable problems, Skateistan represents an oasis where children can be children and build the kinds of cross-cultural relationships that Afghanistan needs for future stability. Programmer’s Note: Former professional snowboarder Orlando von Einsiedel found that the Skateistan project combined two worlds he felt very passionate about: extreme sports and social work. The Skateistan project—started by two Australian aid workers who began giving skating as well as educational lessons to more than 350 kids in Kabul, Afghanistan—equips young men and women with the skills to lead their communities toward social change and development and piqued von Einsiedel’s interest enough to make him want to capture it with a camera. Flying directly from Frankfurt to Kabul, von Einsiedel and crew sought to create a more optimistic image of Afghanistan. What resulted is a beautifully composed film that turns a spotlight on neither the battles nor the victims in this war-torn country, but rather on the hopeful spirit and culture of change that the youth of Kabul are yearning to put into action. We’re thrilled to welcome von Einsiedel’s film to this year’s Festival and urge you to check out skateistan.org on your next Internet stop.
On the last day of filming the short film LIVING WITH BENJAMIN, Cinematographer Dan Bradley turned the camera on a tired, weathered (and overweight) Director Jason Stringer and asked what had been learned from directing a project with his own money invested (as apposed to attending film school…)
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