The American Museum of Natural History’s Margaret Mead Film Festival features documentary films, shorts, and other media that increase our understanding of the complexity and diversity of peoples and cultures around the world.
Inspired by anthropologist Margaret Mead’s groundbreaking use of film and photography, the Mead celebrates ever-changing modes of storytelling, new technologies, and increased access to communities near and far while presenting the best in non-fiction film and hybrid works.
Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival started in 1977 and takes place in New Yorl City, NY, USA
Inspired by the Book The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the documentary River of Grass is the feature debut from artist and filmmaker Sasha Wortzel. The film is described as an “ode to the Everglades, told through the writings of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and those who today call the region home.”
The Guardian of Memory (El guardián de la memoria), the second feature film by Mexican director Marcela Arteaga, will have its U.S. premiere in the official competition at the 2019 edition of the Margaret Mead Film Festival taking place October 17 to 20 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
For the first time in the festival’s history, two filmmakers Kim Beamish for “Tentmakers of Cairo” and Iiris Harma for “Leaving Africa: A Story of Friendship and Empowerment” are winners of the 2015 Margaret Meade Filmmaker Award. The award honors documentary filmmakers who have made films that present a new perspective on a foreign nation or culture.
A documentary filmed over three years, “Tentmakers of Cairo” tells the story of Egypt’s struggle with democracy through the lives of a community of artisans whose craft has remained largely unchanged since Pharaonic times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve_L_0JYHvE
In “Leaving Africa: A Story of Friendship and Empowerment” Riitta from Finland and Kata from Uganda, aged 66 and 63 respectively, run sexual health and gender equality education in Uganda. The pair find themselves in a difficult situation however, when an anonymous letter, addressed to the Ugandan parliament, accuses them of organizing workshops that are promoting and recruiting children to homosexuality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2aqqXcZkBk
The festival also presented a Special Mention Award to Aldona Watts for her film “Land of Songs.” In a region of Lithuania known as the “Land of Songs,” five charming grandmothers are the bearers of their village’s ancient folk singing tradition. Singing has nourished their lifelong friendships, and helped them to cope with decades of war and occupation. As the village’s youth move away, the grandmothers struggle to keep their songs alive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqFzzfYJDMc
The American Museum of Natural History will be hosting its 34th Annual Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival from November 11–14 in New York City. The Festival will screen an outstanding selection of titles culled from more than 1,000 submissions.