Our Work
Manhattan International Film Festival
The Manhattan International Film Festival, January 27th & 28th 2012, showcased 15 short films of young directors from Belgium, England, Spain, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Philippines, India, Pakistan, and the United States, who were selected as finalists by the World Youth Alliance’s 2011 international film competition. The festival featured keynote speaker, Krzysztof Zanussi, a renowned Polish director who spoke on the topic of Constructing Reality in a Post-Modern World and presented his feature film, "With a Warm Heart".
At the conclusion of the festival, prizes were awarded to 5 young directors who presented their work.
The People's Choice Award, determined by popular vote and awarded to the film most enjoyed by festival attendees, was presented to Lance Katigbak for his film, "Fine Dining". Lance, an 18 year-old student at the University of Philippines, is pursuing a degree in Broadcast Communications.
The World Youth Alliance Dignity Award, a prize for the most innovative portrayal of the dignity of the person through film, was presented to Solomon Nana Yaw Yeboah for his film, "Frank's Tin Car" and Benjamin Lorenzo for his film, "Tengo Hambre". Nana is a 29 year-old film-maker from Ghana who is producing a series of films capturing the stories of children living in his country. Benjamin lives in Madrid, Spain and has received numerous awards for his work, including 2nd place in the Pepsi International Short Film Festival.
The World Youth Alliance Artist Award, a prize for the most creative cinematography that seeks new ways to express human ideas, was presented to Cécile Mavet for her film, "The Calling", and Jason Stefaniak for his film,"The Garden". Cécile, a French film director who lives and works in Brussels, spent several years in the United Stations and directed her first short films at Vassar College. Jason is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Film Production at New York University.
These top five films recognized by the Manhattan International Film Festival will be screened at the United Nations during an April, 2012 cultural event hosted by the World Youth Alliance.
The World Youth Alliance will present the Manhattan International Film Festival as an annual event. Applicants who applied to this year's festival were asked to submit films that presented authentic accounts of the human experience, drawing viewers into deeper contemplation of the human condition. They were provided with themes to inspire their work, including the triumph of the human spirit, the individual's heroic use of freedom, and the power of solidarity among people from diverse backgrounds.
To apply for the World Youth Alliance's 2013 film festival, email alexis@wya.net.
All 15 films presented at the World Youth Alliance's recent 2012 film festival are listed below:
Film: The Garden
Director: Jason Stefaniak
Country: USA
Time: 5 minutes
Synopsis: A child discovers the majestic qualities of nature in the midst of a fast-paced urban environment.
Film: Blues
Director: Dena Greenbaum
Country: USA
Time: 12:29 minutes
Synopsis: Set during The Crown Heights Brooklyn riots of 1991, a religious Jew and an African-American develop an unlikely friendship through their love of Blues music.
Film: Tengo Hambre
Director: Benjamin Lorenzo
Country: Spain
Time: 16:41 minutes
Synopsis: After 17 hours of playing computer games, a teenager is mystified to find that no vendor will serve him food.
Film: Fine Dining
Director: Lance Katigbak
Country: Philippines
Time: 5 minutes
Synopsis: A film about poverty, dignity, and unconditional love.
Film: The First Station
Director: Víctor Sagristà García
Country: Spain
Time: 20:23 minutes
Synopsis: This documentary tells the story of a clown who performs at a children’s hospital.
Film: People Like Me
Director: Emma George and Dominic Chambers
Country: England
Time: 11:04 minutes
Synopsis: This documentary portrays life through the lens of disadvantaged young people living in England.
Film: Guilty Bystanders
Director: David Moldover
Country: USA
Time: 19:27 minutes
Synopsis: This documentary analyzes the temptation to become a mere bystander in New York City.
Film: The Calling
Director: Cécile Mavet
Country: Belgium
Time: 19:25 minutes
Synopsis: Anna, a former ballet dancer, enters the convent and struggles to understand her calling.
Film: Swing
Director: Yen-Ting Kuo
Country: Taiwan
Time: 4 minutes
Synopsis: While enjoying a swing on the roof, an elderly patient is reminded of the value of his life.
Film: Siopao
Director: Jayvee Dotimas
Country: Philippines
Time: 11:55 minutes
Synopsis: A young boy living in the slums of the Philippines, struggles to collect enough change to buy a meal.
Film: Pour toi le ferai bataille
Director: Rachel Leah Lang
Country: Belgium
Time: 21:17 minutes
Synopsis: This film provides a glimpse into the lives of women training to be in the army.
Film: Brother-Brother
Director: Sheila Mulinya
Country: Kenya
Time: 2:32 minutes
Synopsis: This film is a story of friendship between brothers living in a Nairobi slum.
Film: Beyond Boundaries
Director: Dinesh Gajendran
Country: India
Time: 4:59 minutes
Synopsis: This documentary examines the lives of migrants and their families.
Film: Platform
Director: Raheel Lodhi
Country: Pakistan minutes
Time: 5:57
Synopsis: This film tells the story of a child who loses his parents on a train platform.
Film: The Pardon
Director: Joel Karekezi
Country: Rwanda
Time: 14:21 minutes
Synopsis: This film tells the story of two best friends who fall on opposite sides of the Rwandan Tutsi genocide.
Film: Frank’s Tin Car
Director: Nana Yaw Yeboah
Country: Ghana
Time: 4:33 minutes
Synopsis: Frank is a young boy who loves cars. Since he cannot afford to buy one, he decides to make his own.
